adding a second dog

[PFlynn006]

Hello,

I am not sure if this is where I should post this, so here goes.

We have a 1 yr old Chase. He is wonderful. Got a great temperment, submissive when encourtering new dogs, etc. When dogs get to agressive with him. He is great with other people and children. He was 80% house broken within 2 wks. Chase is alone for about 6 hours 4 days a week and we would love for him to have some company and we would love to have another dog.

The question is should we get a male or an female? We have heard both answers for different reasons.

Also, we crate trained Chase. We walked toileted him every 2-3 hours. I will have someone come and toilet him when we are not home. Is it going to be mean to have the new puppy crated when we are not home and not have Chase crated. Chase stopped going into his crate when he was about 6 months old so we put it away. We bought him a nice comfy bed to lay on during the day and after a couple of weeks he stopped going into the crate all together. We have Chase gated in the kitched when we are not home. We new several months ago we were probably going to get another puppy and thought we would wait to let him have the run of the house until the puppy is well trained. We figured there would be less destruction that way.

Any insight/suggestions would be much appreciated.

Thank you so much,

Patty

[jessica41]

My Cairn loves her brother (not biological) !

They are 8 months old and I can't imagine her without him.

In our case the male+female combination works perfectly.

I would advise against is having two puppies because it is exhausting I would never suggest that anyone potty train two puppies at once.

My pups never pee in the house now but for the first 6 months it is so frustrating. Once one goes the other will, you can count on it.

I also think that if you allow your dog to be more trained and mature it will help the new addition learn good habits rather than the bad ones.

Just take your time in this process. I know how exciting it is to get another dog, but it is a commitment that will affect you life for at least the next 10 years, a bad companion for your dog can make your life very complicated.

If you really want another dog then do it! the more to love the better, I wouldn't trade my two for anything. But make a good decision for both you and your pup. Good luck.

[cairnsby3]

No it's not mean to crate the puppy and leave Chase loose, it's just life. Chase has to know he is first dog anyway and should get more privileges. Puppy has to earn the right to be loose.

[sheila and Misty]

No it's not mean to crate the puppy and leave Chase loose, it's just life. Chase has to know he is first dog anyway and should get more privileges. Puppy has to earn the right to be loose.

I agree Toby has excepted not running loose when we leave and Misty has free roam-He seems to be learning fast with the okder one as a guide-wait till yours knows and follows all your rules-.you dont want the first one to revert backwards -I think its too soon- the time goes quickly believe me-. we were going to get a 2nd one when Misty was a years old but some family problems came up and we couldnt -we waited untill Misty was 2 and shes still young enough to want to play but knows the rules and she had plenty of our attention growing from pup to adult so there was very lettle jealosy if any at all.

[Howie]

In our house we have two dogs, one is a Cairn the other is a Siberian Husky..What a combo!

QUOTE (cairnsby3 @ Nov 11 2008, 02:18 PM)

No it's not mean to crate the puppy and leave Chase loose, it's just life. Chase has to know he is first dog anyway and should get more privileges. Puppy has to earn the right to be loose.

When our dogs are left alone, the puppy (the cairn) goes in the crate, while the older dog stays loose. It seems to work quite well. As soon as the puppy goes into his kennel (what we call his bed) the older dog immediately goes and lays right by the kennel door. I guess he is the puppysitter The puppy does not seem to mind at all, and it doesn't seem cruel...

[Napi'smom]

we did the same, out Mutt, Sammy is 6 years old and he was crated when we got him at 7 months, when we got Napoleon 2 1/2 years ago we crated him but sammy got the run of the house,(probably wishes we still crated Napoleon)

Now they bith run around free all day and no mess, of any kind, I am just so lucky!!

[toomanypaws]

I had alot of dogs, some are crated when I'm away and some are not. My two youngest Cairns are only 6 mths apart and did great together. I think Chase would benefit by having another "sibling". I had 3 female Cainrs in a row and then added a male Westie and he does fine w/ them.