Mad idea?

[readmylips1]

I know this is totally a mad idea. I have always wanted a second dog, but our dog can be aggressive to other dogs when on a lead as he was attacked badly by a JRT when a puppy. He is a lovely gentle dog otherwise.

I would assume a new puppy would be out of the question. Tell me it is then I can put the idea to bed.

I don't know, perhaps a slow introduction would be successful, but if I were you, I probably wouldn't. Just to avoid the possibility of having to rehome the puppy because your dog couldn't cope.

A lot of dogs can be aggressive on the lead but are much better off lead, I think it could work with careful introductions. If your dog is anything like my two, they both feel a lot more confident around smaller dogs

I have a fear aggressive spaniel. We got a cockapoo puppy last year, when the spaniel was nearly two. Initially, he snarled and snapped at him and we had to watch them carefully. Now, one year on, they are snoozing together on the sofa. It really depends on how aggressive your dog is. Is it all noise and fury? Has he ever done damage? Do you think he's frightened during these encounters? My boy was attacked and is now very, very nervy of other dogs. We've done a lot of positive reinforcement training around other dogs to increase his comfort levels and he can now tolerate other dogs walking by or playing nearby as long as they leave him alone.

Hi. Thank you for your replies. I think I have been looking at too many springer pup pics and it made my brain go gooey.

Anyway we are putting it out of our heads and are going to get a behaviourist for our ESS. I was wondering if anyone knows what the 'full health check' that behaviourists tend to want prior to starting training entails. Does it involve bloods etc...?