Advice please

[noideabutstilltrying]

We recently lost our older doggo. Our younger one has struggled since.

She is missing her companion

I am considering giving a second chance to a GSD. We have met the dog and have gone on a walk. I'm due back for a second meeting for us and the dogs.

I am reasonably confident that we can work with the rescue. We have had a very similar GSD in the past with a sad backstory to their first year.

Am I being stupid/ naive to be considering this?

Any help, tips or advice would be appreciated

I foster - so introduce new dogs a lot. But I got my youngest (owned) dog as a puppy just after one of mine passed. I had to keep them separate in my house for a few months as the puppy was a right tosser.

I always keep foster dogs separate for a few weeks and do introductions very carefully.

It can work wonderfully and it’s a lovely thing to do. What I would say is remember you need to keep them separate for a few weeks (minimum) during eating, no toys on the ground, no dogs on the sofa (prevent arguments over who gets to sit next to the humans) etc.

The worst thing you can do is treat the dog the same as your existing dog right away. It needs to be done really carefully - and I’m sure you know with GSDs they can have some really bad resource guarding/nervous issues (and often these are only displayed once they are reduced so the centre may not know) - and it doesn’t always work.

Remember: never get a dog for a dog or a dog for a child. Dogs need to be purchased because it’s right for your whole family - not because you think your dog wants a friend (or in many cases because a child is whining for a new pet).

Ultimately, it’s your choice. I don’t think it’s stupid or naive - you just need to consider a worst case scenario and ask yourself if you are prepared for that.

@Killingoffmyflowersonebyone thank you!

I would do walks and food separately to avoid conflict.

Would then do a short walk together

The GSD is lovely, she's been in the shelter for 13 months and she is a little over 2.

She seemed to light up on a walk and when she met my husband

As a family we had a long conversation about her. We are all in the same place on the decision. My teens are very dog savvy and reading body language.

I think the second meeting will tell me more.