Need advice about a second dog
So, we're thinking of getting a rescue dog or another puppy. Anyone else do this? If so, what worked best - a little older dog, or puppy? Any particular breed work best/better with OES than other breeds? We're thinking a Springer Spaniel (had them before) or another OES. Any thoughts or experiences to share? (Our Winnie LOVES all other dogs her size - not great with dogs smaller as she seems to overwhelm them with her play.) Thanks in advance for your thoughts! |
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 I have a feeling there's going to be a bit of bias asking that question here
Winnie sounds close to Bally's age, and I know that if I wasn't home all day to keep him company I'd be wanting another dog for him. |
well my Holly (OES ) is 17months and I just had to put my springer Bear down but they loved each other!!!!! WHatever you get I am sure they will be happy 
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| I am SO sorry to hear about Bear. I lost by Wilhelmena last year just before we got our OES Winnifred. My heart goes out to you.
And, thank you for your reply. Take care. |
Don't take this the wrong way - but I never suggest anyone get a second dog as a playmate for the first, anymore than I suggest a person have a second child as a playmate for the first. I say this as a first child who never really liked my sister growing up  Actually my point is well taken - what if the dogs don't like each other? I have four dogs and actually none of them would really care if one of the others disappeared - well maybe the puppy would miss Morgan but believe me it isn't reciprocal. |
| It's never a good idea to get a second (or third...) dog just as a companion for another dog. Most animals are affected by the loss of a companion but can quickly adjust to life alone and many enjoy being the center of attention.
There are other dogs that very much benefit by companionship of another dog. It really doesn't matter whether that dog is older or younger, larger or smaller, as long as the activity level is similar. Getting a high-energy pup isn't usually a good match with a ailing senior dog. Some seniors do perk up around younger dogs but generally puppies aren't good matches as playmates. If you decide to get another dog, be sure you do it because you can provide a great home for him/her.  |
| I did much the same thing you are trying to do. I knew Asterisk was lonely while Josh and I were at work, so I thought, why not get another dog? Since Josh will only allow OES in our lives, that is what we got.
We got Wendel from my breeder. He's 3 1/2 years old and just fabulous. The problem is that Asterisk wants to play all the time. She's 16 months and always pesters Wendel. He, on the other hand, prefers humans to other dogs for attention. He ignores her a lot. He does play, but only for 5 minutes at a time. They have begun to rely on each other's presence though. They both have to go outside together. They both have to go in the car together. Yesterday when I brought Asterisk to the vet, I couldn't get out the house without Wendel, because he was baring the door. I do think they care for each other, but they just don't gel how I had thought they would. |
* Capt. Obvious Danger wrote: They have begun to rely on each other's presence though. They both have to go outside together. They both have to go in the car together. Yesterday when I brought Asterisk to the vet, I couldn't get out the house without Wendel, because he was baring the door. I hope you made a point of taking him alon. My two OES were raised together as puppies and the one not going always makes a fuss - unitl the door closes. they need time alone and apart as well as togetehr. |
| I agree with the energy level. Since she has already shown she plays well with others, I see less a problem with a newbie.....as long as the newbie can stand his/her own.
Friend just got another husky to go with her old "mal-mutt" who just lost his mother. Dooley is not pleased with the Sibbie 3 year old constantly chewing on his legs/tail to play. Dooley is low key and the newbie was confined to a kennel for 2 years and now gets to be a puppy! Companion, yes, playmate, no. If you go rescue, make sure the dog is well vetted first! You need one that plays and tolerates others. |
| I have owned and rescued many OES and usually have had a pair of them at any one time. I agree that it is a mistake to think that you are getting another dog to keep your current one company. And it is a fact that the relationship between the two dogs is always different. Some become constant playmates, some maintain a wary distance. Some find the dominance relationship easily, some (particularly where the sexes are the same) take a while—even a few years.
However, dogs are pack animals and get a lot out of interaction with other dogs and people. I think that whether they seem to be "friends" or not is a human judgement, but that from a dog's perspective, they are happier (maybe more "fulfilled" is a better word) if they are a part of a stable and confident pack. All of the humans and dogs in the home are his pack, and in a way, the more there are, the more stable the pack is. My current two males rarely play together like some of my other pairs have done, but they are always near each other and seem to love to do things together like patrol the yard, stand guard and love to go on walks together, ambling happily along shoulder to shoulder like a team of horses. Whether you get another dog or not is more how you feel. I have always gotten a lot of enjoyment out of seeing the two dogs interact and occasionally play together or work together and with me. If you finally decide to get another dog, the ideal to me would be another rescued OES, within a year or two of the age of your current one and of the opposite sex. |
kerry wrote: * Capt. Obvious Danger wrote: They have begun to rely on each other's presence though. They both have to go outside together. They both have to go in the car together. Yesterday when I brought Asterisk to the vet, I couldn't get out the house without Wendel, because he was baring the door. I hope you made a point of taking him alon. My two OES were raised together as puppies and the one not going always makes a fuss - unitl the door closes. they need time alone and apart as well as togetehr. I did end up bringing Wendel along. What would have bothered him more than anything was that Asterisk would go Bu-byes in the Car without him. Part of the reason that I didn't fight with him was that by the time I got home from work I had 30 minutes before the vet closed. They were both happy to ride in the car, but Oh, Boy! the look on their faces when they saw where we went! |
| i had no choice in getting dreamer for my duffy .. he has major separation issues.. (and really wanted another for me lol )tryed everything and they are about yr apart.. which is good for they both have the same level of play in them , not sure if a older dog would have worked since duff plays so ruff |
Quote: I did end up bringing Wendel along. What would have bothered him more than anything was that Asterisk would go Bu-byes in the Car without him. Part of the reason that I didn't fight with him was that by the time I got home from work I had 30 minutes before the vet closed. They were both happy to ride in the car, but Oh, Boy! the look on their faces when they saw where we went!
Similar story: Sam and MO. Sam had to go to the vet. MO insisted she had to go with Sam. There were other dogs in the yard, but she liked Sam and wanted him around her. Sam had to stay at vet......as I pulled away from the building MO came unglued, "Go back, you forgot Sam!" I laughed while my heart ached to see her in such distress. Next day Sam returned, of course MO went with me even though I knew it wasn't a great idea. She was perfect on the way home......sniffed groggy Sam and then went to the far side of the car. At home she kept her distance but watched the big white carefully as he "slept one off." |
| We've had 2-3 dogs for most of my married life. Ben had a couple of years as a single, but was very happy when we added Bailey.
The new dog has always been younger, so it made their acceptance into the pack much easier. We space thir ages out, so we hopefully will not lose more than one at a time. Ben was 11, Bailey is 8 and Riley is 5 (  ). We will be adding another Golden just as school gets out next Spring/Summer. I want to be home to help him adjust to the girls.
I will always have multiple dogs and cats. My kids are prepared to take them in the event something happens and I can't care for them. |
| Max is our 15 year old male Westie. He was five when Sammy joined our family. It was love at first sight and they were constant companions for almost 10 years. Max was so lost when Sammy passed this May. He was despondent and looked for her everywhere. But dogs are such creatures of the moment that Max is now enjoying all the attention and over compensation of being the only dog. |
| We have five - one sheltie, two shih tzus and two Old English Sheepies. Gigi is just past 7 months old now and Bogey is just past 4 months. They all get along great. Gigi has been fixed and Bogey will be. All others are fixed too. the two sheepies are great friends at times and others Gigi wants what Bogey has and she barks. He is so mello - he just gives whatever it is to her. They enjoy each other. But each of the dogs get their "alone" time with me everyday. |
| I thinks it's great that you want another dog! Because ask yourself, do you want another dog only for Winnie, or do you just want another dog, and the companionship for Winnie would be a bonus? . My guess is that if you're putting this much thought into getting another dog, and you full well know how much energy they require, it's probably because you just want another dog! Which is awesome!
I keep telling my husband that we need to get Sunny a sibling. But really, he knows it's just that "my lap aches for another doggie", figuratively speaking of course
So I would say that you should consider what kind of dog you want, and will fall in love with  . And then try to find a "match" for Winnie's temperament. Not a duplicate, but a compliment to her. Have fun, and post photos!! |
| In the 35 years Hubby and I have been married, we have never been in this situation . . . . we have 5 dogs all over 13 years old.
We have always space a new puppy in with aging adults, so this would never happen. I hesitate to get a young pup now, due to the activity level. I am considering a rescue that would be 3-5 and not a wild thing! I am not just sure how we got to this point . . . . But don't let it happen to you!! This winter is going to be a real tear jerker for us. Janie OES wanta be! |
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