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The doghouse

2nd dog, have I lost it?

7 replies

Grassynoel · 01/02/2020 19:16

My 9 month old jrt nutter is very lively, sociable and adorable. We had been thinking of getting another at some point as dh always says better to have two. He is neutered.
Another jrt has come up in the rescue where we got him and our application has been accepted. She was spayed last week and we can visit next week with him to see how they get on. They're not certain but have put her at about 9 months also.
Am I nuts guys? Part of me thinks it's a great idea and the rest of me isn't sure. I suppose all I can do is give it a chance. I have extra bowls, beds etc.
All I'm doing really is looking for advice and tips if any of you have been through similar.
Thanks for reading!Smile

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TeacupRex · 01/02/2020 20:14

I would see how they get on, but keep in mind that they are both going through the teenage stage at 9 months. That's when they start to regress - the training you taught them seems to fly out the window, they become more independent from you - recall may become non existent! It's frustrating enough with just one naughty adolescent dog, let alone two around the same age.

By all means, people have made it work - but it's hard work with two of the same age. You'll have to put in the extra effort to keep on top of the training and socialising you've done with your first, as well as doing the same with the new addition, training them both separately and treating them as individuals.

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adaline · 01/02/2020 20:20

I think two 9 month olds together is madness, to be honest.

I would wait until yours is at least two, if not older, before considering a second. They'll both be going through their teenage phase and you don't want them to learn bad habits of each other.

I'd be wondering why the rescue thought it was a good idea as well.

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Grassynoel · 01/02/2020 21:23

Oh dear, it doesn't look good then does it. Looks like I may have to make a phone call.

Thanks so much for your advice.

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AvocadosBeforeMortgages · 01/02/2020 22:05

As the fellow owner of a rescue JRT x, I'm really not sure I'd be signing up for this if I were you.

DDog came to me at 14 months ish, and is now about 3.5. I'd say he was only at a point where I thought I could cope with the demands of a second dog in the last 6-12 months. However, he wouldn't cope with with sharing me or his home, so it's not a route I'm going down! (He's brilliant off lead on neutral territory (ie the park!) with other dogs, but intensely territorial, often not keen on other dogs seeking attention from me, and occasionally resource guards, so needs to be an only dog in the home).

I'd leave plans for a second DDog until first DDog is past the adolescent stage and is fairly reliable behaviour-wise. There will be others - JRTs are hardly in short supply - and I'm sure the one you've been looking at will find a fabulous home.

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Grassynoel · 13/02/2020 19:57

I have a little update.

So we decided it was no harm to go visit the little dog with our guy and take them for a walk and just suss things out. The lady said if they seemed to get on we could take her for a trial and see how it goes.

Well they hit if off straight away so we chanced taking her home. They have been inseparable. They're brilliant together and so far, haven't had a bad word. They're great together on walks and sometimes we give them each a separate walk to maintain bonds and training etc and they pine for each other.

She seems to be very good for him, she's a bit more obedient and he tends to follow her.

Work wise tbh it's no harder than it was with just him, they entertain each other a lot and they behave very well together.

She's here 10 days now, so far so good.Smile

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Helenj1977 · 13/02/2020 20:06

What a great update 😃 Congratulations 🎉

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LoveNote · 14/02/2020 17:09

thats lovely!!!

if we wanted a second dog does anyone have advise when the best time would be?

we have a lab male puppy....20 weeks old
wait til he's older? another puppy to grow up together? how best to approach this? i was thinking a rescue/unwanted older lab

any thoughts?

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