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DH wants to keep the dog we found. ? about adding another dog
If an owner doesn't turn up soon, obviously. I think he's falling for this dog, but I'm not gung-ho about it. We have such a tiny place and that dog and Miko LOVE playing together... I feel like stuff will break and I'll get annoyed with one 65lb dog and one 50lb dog galavanting about in 800sq ft.
I'm not sure how Miko will handle having another dog around... he doesn't get protective over his space but he sometimes does around me and I worry that he won't be happy having attention divided between them.
On the other hand, DH and I are TTC and I read that gradually giving your dog less attention before the baby comes will help avoid the shock of the pup being put in second place when the time comes, and thus associating the baby with less attention. Would having another dog around help ease that a bit? He's a very social dog, and we've thought from the beginning that we should have brought one of his brothers or sisters home, too.
Also, this dog will need a LOT of training. Luckily, his temperament is great-he's a sweetie- but he has ZERO manners. He jumps up on you, has no idea what "sit" is (and I tried the usual method of teaching "sit" and it just does not compute with this dog, he just jumps up and down and around trying to get to the treat), and is very mouthy... he bites you very lightly when you pet him. It's very obvious he likes the attention, and the way he shows it is being mouthy but it's definitely not going to fly for me. Any tips are welcome! I think we'll take him to an older puppy class (I think he's still under a year old but I'm not positive) and teach him the basics as well as patience.
I do have a friend who is interested in meeting him, but if she doesn't take him then I have a feeling we'll keep him. The shelters are full here, anyway, so I don't know where he'd go.
Here's some PIPs for your time!
Here's a video of Miko and the new pup playing together:
Re: DH wants to keep the dog we found. ? about adding another dog
Sounds like you'll have your hands full, but I think you'll be able to handle it! Two points for you:
If KatelynS can keep 3 dogs and a couple of cats in ~850 sq/ft, I bet you guys can handle it, too, lol!
For the mouthiness: he needs to learn that mouthing/teeth of any variety automatically = an end of attention. If you're petting him and he mouths you/gently teeths you as he's doing, stop petting, get up, and go away or turn your attention from him completely for a few minutes. Every time. Annoying as hell, but it'll start to sink in that if his mouth comes in contact with you/your skin, he doesn't get any more attention. Ditto this for his crazy jumping; cross your arms, look up/away, turn your back, etc, until he stops and has all 4 paws on the floor.
I'm sure you already know those tips, but it never hurts to mention just in case! Zoey learned these lessons fast (especially not jumping on me; I wear nice clothes to work and can't be getting molested when I get home!), but we started with her as soon as she came home, and she's pretty darn smart; no idea what this new dog will be like for you, but I hope you find a way to get through to him!
B/w 1/8: betas 17,345, progesterone 25.6
Awww. What a fluff ball. I'd keep him, but I'm a crazy animal lady, so I might not be a great person to listen to. I think if your current dog gets along with him, then there's not too much to worry about. Obviously 2 dogs is a bit more work and more financial burden, but it's more to love, too. Like you said, what would you do with him other than keep looking for a taker?
I think you have some good points about your current dog gaining a companion while you and DH are TTC and making some changes. I would definitely make sure to not stress them out, though, by all of a sudden getting caught up in total baby mode. The furbabies still need love, too. Otherwise, you'll end up with 50lb dogs trying to be in the baby's lap. It happens. Trust me. haha
Keep discussing with your husband, but I think you've already made your choice and just want some reassurance. What's the new fluff's name?
Thanks, lucky! We've been doing the teeth/jumping = no attention thing but we haven't been consistent just because we haven't have time to work with him yet (we left him with the IL's because we found him while we were visiting him and didn't want to bring him home only to have to drive him back 2 hours to his owner if they called). It does sound overwhelming right now, but I have a feeling it could work.
Not to mention feeding two dogs raw, but this other dog is smaller and we only spend about $20-$30 month on Miko as it is so I really don't think it'll be too much more expensive to feed this other one.
Also, any name suggestions? DH likes "Kita" because when he first saw the dog it reminded him of a black Akita. I think Kita sounds like a girl name
I don't know how I omitted this in the OP, but how in HELL are we going to travel with two dogs? I really think we're going to have to board one or leave one at home for the neighbors to watch. We travel in a tiny Malibu almost every weekend and are already at capacity.
Food costs would be the big thing preventing us from picking up another dog any time soon! I definitely couldn't afford to double the monthly food budget, lol!
B/w 1/8: betas 17,345, progesterone 25.6
LOL! Thanks, LA!
But seriously, we have 3 dogs (including our foster) they are a 1yr old, 70 pound, crazy ass pibble mix, a 3 year old, 60 pound ridiculous boxer mix, and a 5 year old, crazy smart, 45 pound pibble foster.
Along with 4 cats, and an adult roommate. We have a two bedroom, one bath, 880sqft house. We have to vacuum daily, but it is definitely feasible.
ETA: All of them are raw fed. I actually find it easier to feed bulk raw to 2+ dogs than when we just had Bueller. We go through about 6-8 pounds of meat a day for the dogs and about 2 pounds a day for the 4 cats.