OES needs a friend

Rufus (http://instagram.com/p/W4a4IKN7Tb/) is almost a year old, and 90 pound kid. He's the most social dog I've ever owned and we love him. We take him to the dog park every single day (which means serious grooming work every day too) because he's happiest when he's playing with as many dogs as possible. On days that we miss the dog park, he becomes *unmanagable.* Long walks just don't cut it (and we live in San Francisco; long walks are more like hikes)--he'll still be a maniac in the house. He's pretty well-trained for his age, but he just makes so much mischief if he doesn't get vigorous exercise we're absolutely bonkers by the end of the day.

So we're playing around with the idea of getting Rufus a friend. Is it a fallacy that this will make our lives easier, or will it just get twice as hard? He's really co-dependent with us unless there's a dog around, then he ignores us completely. We're thinking if we got a complementary breed, they might "cancel each other out," hah. We will still give them plenty of exercise, we just don't want to be miserable if we're too busy to take him to the park on certain days. Anyone have any experience with this? We're looking at various breeds, but wonder specifically about pugs. They seem like a fun loving but low-maintenance companion. Other recommendations?

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I say get him a friend. Sounds like he needs to be stimulated a lot. Sometimes mind work is just as exhausting as running around so you might also try practicing some tricks and stuff if you can't get to the park. A second don't won't be as big a problem as you'd think. I have one now but have had two for years, I miss having that second dog (So... puppy coming in two weeks!!)

Hi....get another sheepie! They will immediately know how to play with each other & it's a joy to watch. Do not get a small dog like a pug for a 90 lb 1 yr old. Do be aware that they will focus on each other most of the time till they are adults instead of humans.

I think it is easier to get one dog trained and then introduce another dog. If he listens well, can do commands like, sit, stay, down, come and wait and walk well on leash, then it will be easier. If not it could be hard having two young untrained dogs.

Also it will depend on what other dog you get for entertaining each other. A OES may be a bit rough or high energy for a pug.

My OES is much rougher than our Newfoundland and they don't play much as the Newfy can't be bothered, so having a Newfy to entertain the OES is not much use. They get on well, just don't play much in the backyard.

We got the OES when the Newfy was over 2 years so he was well trained and listened to us, this really has helped with the OES training.
It is nice having two dogs as they have a bond and they still enjoy our company.

Are you able to off leash Rufus when you take Rufus for a long walk? as I find this exhausts our OES after an hour walk as he runs loops on the hour walk.

I have an OES, he just turned 1, and my other dog is a Labradoodle, she is 3 and a half. I wanted to get my doodle a 2nd dog back when she was your dogs age, they just have SO MUCH energy then. And she was getting runs, walks, dog park, beach, pool, not to mention constant playtime with family and friends dogs. However, looking back, I am glad I waited, as she is very well trained, I got Ramsey when she was 2 and half, and my OES has learned a lot from her. They get along well. I will agree with Monty, my OES plays ROUGH, so a smaller dog would be out of the question with him. I've never never seen a dog play as rough as him. He will body check her, lol. But they do compliment each other on the energy levels and she can match him on the rough play, she goes for his feet and takes him out.

Brigadigit wrote:

Oh that is funny, as Monty body checks Buster, full on run and whack. Buster stands firm and turns his head to the side to avoid his head being whacked. Monty then drags Buster to me by the collar. Fortunately he is not as rough with other dogs in the dog park.

MontyQs wrote:

Brigadigit wrote:

Haha, yes!!! He does that to my doodle. My parents own a Newfie, and he did it to him, and kinda bounced off, lolol. But he didn't give up, kept grabbing him by the ears or tail (Ramsey has no respect for tails since he doesn't have one), trying to pull him around. Hysterical!

Get him a friend!!
I also felt like my OES male needed a companion while I was away at work. I felt bad that I left him alone even though we are very active when I am home.
I too, thought about different breeds but decided to get another OES. My male sired a litter and I got first pick.
I chose a male because they are so happy go lucky and clownish. I was concerned about having two males, but
I couldn't be more PLEASED!! They are BEST BUDDIES. They romp together and groom each other, pup is now 4 months old.
The good thing about getting another OES as they have the same play habits, body checking, herding, and grab by the scruff of the neck playing. They are so athletic and beautiful!

I say get him a friend although having two dogs around the same age means double the sadness when they leave us. Sorry friends don;t be mad that I said that, but its true. I've always had two OES' but I didn't get my second one until my first was a bit older. I was so happy to have Lizzy when Isabelle died. Lizzy was 6 when we lost Isabelle. She was so sad too until Bentley came and joined our family. That day was like Christmas morning for her. She was and is so happy with her Bentley!!

WE did it and haven't looked back. Chowder is 3 and we adopted Mickey 2 1/2. He's amazing and they are in love.

DO IT!

Love the photo of chowder and Mickey.

I agree - that is a wonderful sweet picture of them!

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