New dog - 7 months

[sophienelisse]

I've saw an ad on pre loved for a 7 month old chihuahua cross. He's the same type as my current dog who is two.

The man is rehoming him as his job has changed and he is now away a lot more or will be shortly.

We've been thinking about getting a new dog as a play mate for ours for a while now.

The man is bringing him tomorrow to see how they are with each other.

I work from home.

I've asked him to bring his current vet records so to ensure no illness etc and check jab renewal dates etc.

He said the dog is playful, friendly, good with people etc.

What else do I need to ask my mind has gone blank as I'm really excited. But I don't want to get clouded with excitement and not ask something important.

I've asked already if he is a chewer, why he's rehoming, is he house trained, has he had his jabs, does he socialise well with other dogs. Everything sounds positive so far.

I would be sceptical of any answers that he gives you. In my experience, people lie to get rid of their dogs. Has he asked you many questions to ascertain if you can offer a suitable home for the dog? If he hasn't, that's a red flag.

Where did he get him from? Did he offer to return him to the breeder before advertising him online?

I would ask if I could speak to the dog's vet, to confirm that he is healthy. I would also ask for proof that the dog's microchip is in the man's name.

Have you googled his phone number to see if it brings up any other adverts?

I’d take it to your vet for a chip scan and health check. If there is a health issue I wouldn’t trust him to disclose it. You also don’t want to inadvertently buy a stolen puppy.
It doesn’t strike me as particularly responsible or kind to sell a 7 month pup on preloved so I would be careful.
I’d probably want to see it in public, park, car etc as well as health check.

Yes thank you. I am skeptical as no one will admit the dog is a nightmare if they are trying to get rid.

Yes I have googled his phone number - no other ads.

He asked me a few questions. Where do we live. Who lives in your house. Any other pets. Do you have a routine for your dog. Does your dog have access to an enclosed space. Will he be left alone. Is your other dog vaccinated.

I said what happens if the dogs don't get on. He said we need to see what they are like together and we debated on whether I should go there with my dog or whether he should come here. We agreed coming here as he wanted to see where his dog would live and to make sure he was happy.

I mean pros and cons going to his or coming to mine I guess.

I took this as he cared for his dog and wanted to make sure it was right and he was going to a good home. Alternatively it could be his dog is a nightmare and he wants no come backs but I genuinely didn't get this vibe from him.

Will look at the other questions you have asked now

I will ask for the microchip documents also before he comes

He's not a pure bred there is no breeder. I shall ask how he acquired him

If the dog does have issues I will try my hardest to help him.

I'm happy to take them to behaviour experts etc.

The dog I have now was promised to be toilet trained - he wasn't.

Not a chewer - he was

Good with people - he hated men. All men. Just men.

We've changed all of the above and he is an amazing dog now. I just think he's so bored when I am working from home. I mean I am there but I can't give him all the attention.

He thrives with other dogs. I hope this works out for him. We have two cats but they tolerate him (the other dog owner is aware) he pushes balls etc to them all day, they just look at him and walk off.

But we need the right dog for all of us in this house or it's not fair for the other pets.

i woudl say meet on neutral ground
but you may have met already

If you haven't met yet I would introduce the dogs on neutral ground first before bringing a strange dog with potential aggression or behavioural issues into your home.

I would meet on neutral ground first, such as in a park, then walk back to yours. That gives you a chance to see how the puppy is with different types of people (including kids), traffic, different types of dogs etc.

he pushes balls etc to them all day, they just look at him and walk off. This could annoy the new dog as well. Are you able to keep both dogs separate, to give them a break from each other? When he visits with the puppy, I wouldn't have any toys out at first, in case they fight over them. After a while, I would introduce a few toys if they seem relaxed with each other.

Even non-pure breed dogs can have a breeder. Decent breeders will ask that the puppy is returned to them at any point in it's life if the owner can no longer care for it.

Well he is here!

They are getting on fabulously.

The new boy needs neutering he keeps trying to hump our first dog. Who I must say seems to love this and keeps presenting his arse to him. I've already emailed our vet to get him booked in.

He's really pleasant. He's settled in well so far and they have just followed each other and played since late afternoon.

When the guy turned up, our dog was jumping up to try and see the new dog, the new dog was trying to jump out of the guys arms to get to our dog.

It was actually really sweet.

They went into each room In the house together and it was like our dog was showing him round! They went into every room. Our dog let the new dog sniff round then off they went to the next room.

Sounds really positive

Sounds positive but just be aware that neutering will only fix humping if it’s caused by hormones. Humping can be anything from signs of dominance to over excitement or stress to even play signals. If the dog has any anxiety issues neutering can be really counter productive (we have had this happen sadly).

They are both dry humping each other. They are still getting on fab.

I took them to a big enclosed field today, let them both off the lead. The new dog came back no issues.

They seem very happy together. I'm really glad we decided to get him.