Hey all!
I have been debating for a while now getting another dog, as a friend for Ruby. However, I just don't know whether I should do, or if I should get another pup or an older dog, I also have to take my cats into account.
Ruby is spolit by all of us, but I worry that sometimes shes a little bored and perhaps in need of a friend, or maybe I just think she is. :loopy:
Any thoughts people? Ruby is a very friendly pooch, she loves other dogs and enjoys her runs with my dog walkers dog.
Maybe I should think about it some more? It wouldn't be fair to take on another dog with doubts.:?:

Why not try fostering a dog for a rescue first to see how your dog gets on having another around? A good way to find out and also helping out a needy dog at the same time:D

Sue

Thats not a bad idea. I was thinking of getting a greyhound! I don't know, I keep talking myself in and out of it :loopy:

One problem with greyhounds, they are very very addictive and you will end up with a house full. I had 2 when I started fostering and we've now got 6 here!


Sue

i think if u took in a foster temporarily u will see if it is companion u need for ruby without being tied rain is always looking for fosterers or pets at home has just asked for a foster hom x

just one question - what breed is Ruby?

Hey strix, Ruby is a boxer dog!

here she is
http://s713.photobucket.com/albums/ww131/zeldazebs/?action=view&current=LPIC0806.jpg

One problem with greyhounds, they are very very addictive and you will end up with a house full. I had 2 when I started fostering and we've now got 6 here!


Sue


6!!! Wow, thats fab. Don't think I've enough room for 6! Bet your house is lively! :thumbsup:

6!!! Wow, thats fab. Don't think I've enough room for 6! Bet your house is lively! :thumbsup:

No its not, all they do is sleep:D Thats why I have 6

Sue

Hey strix, Ruby is a boxer dog!

here she is
http://s713.photobucket.com/albums/ww131/zeldazebs/?action=view&current=LPIC0806.jpgOoooo, she's a cutie!!

I'd say she's rather young for introducing a new dog into the house at this time. She's just at the right age for beginning to bond with you properly and respond to training, but the introduction of another dog will lead her to bond with the dog instead of you, making her pretty difficult to handle

Boxers are rather boisterous dogs, and being the owner of a dog who has had his back broken whilst playing with a dog larger and stockier than him, I'd suggest that when you come to introduce another dog into the house, a greyhound isn't the best choice - for the safety of the greyhound. Something better designed to cope with a playful boxer would be better :)

WRT fostering - we occasionally foster dogs, and every single time we've had to spend time correcting bad habits Brude has picked up from a temporary resident. We're currently working on removing the 'all post men must die' fit that he emulates every time he sees one - thank you Clive. daft thing is, we KNOW it's just the fit he's copying, as he breaks out in 'oh wow, be my friend, gimme a fuss' as soon as the postman gets within a foot of him :rolleyes:

It really wouldn't be fair to confuse your own dog with this kind of thing at this age. Get her used to some rules, get her out and about, play with her, teach her things, maybe take her to different types of classes or training sessions, and when you and she have found your steady level and boundaries (maybe when she's about 3), then think about introducing more dogs into the equation :thumbsup:

Ooooo, she's a cutie!!

I'd say she's rather young for introducing a new dog into the house at this time. She's just at the right age for beginning to bond with you properly and respond to training, but the introduction of another dog will lead her to bond with the dog instead of you, making her pretty difficult to handle

Boxers are rather boisterous dogs, and being the owner of a dog who has had his back broken whilst playing with a dog larger and stockier than him, I'd suggest that when you come to introduce another dog into the house, a greyhound isn't the best choice - for the safety of the greyhound. Something better designed to cope with a playful boxer would be better :)

WRT fostering - we occasionally foster dogs, and every single time we've had to spend time correcting bad habits Brude has picked up from a temporary resident. We're currently working on removing the 'all post men must die' fit that he emulates every time he sees one - thank you Clive. daft thing is, we KNOW it's just the fit he's copying, as he breaks out in 'oh wow, be my friend, gimme a fuss' as soon as the postman gets within a foot of him :rolleyes:

It really wouldn't be fair to confuse your own dog with this kind of thing at this age. Get her used to some rules, get her out and about, play with her, teach her things, maybe take her to different types of classes or training sessions, and when you and she have found your steady level and boundaries (maybe when she's about 3), then think about introducing more dogs into the equation :thumbsup:

Thank you Strix, that makes alot of sense! Ruby is such a playful little thing I think to be honest I just felt abit guilty her not having a 'friend' for when I'm out, but after reading your post, got thinking, shes (touching wood) a good girl 99% of the time, when I leave her she causes no issue aside the odd accident. Shes friendly etc, and perhaps without really knowing it shes in more of a routine than I thought.
We are having battles with her listening to me when shes out though!! Little bugger! I think I will try a class or something simular, as she really loved going to her puppy party!

Thanx alot :thumbsup:

No its not, all they do is sleep:D Thats why I have 6

Sue

:D:D:D Lucky you! they sound sooooo sweet though :thumbsup:

Didnt realise Ruby was still a puppy. I agree with Strix about waiting for her to grow up. She looks a real sweetie.

Sue

I also agree that it is best to let Ruby get a bit older before introducing another dog, and I also think that a greyhound would not be the right choice, your boxer would be far too heavy and boisterous for a greyhound I would think, how about a rescued boxer? or perhaps a staffy?

when you're out, she's most likely sleeping - dogs tailor their routine round yours, so you'll be surprised how little stimulation she needs when you're not there - unless you're leaving her for really prolonged periods of time, and if that's the case, two of them could make a real nuisance of themselves!

just don't feel guilty about her not having a 'friend'. If you think she'd benefit from friends, arrange to walk with another dog owner and teach her some supervised socialisation, learning to walk sensibly with you ignoring the other dog on your say so, and playing nicely when you say it's okay :thumbsup:

when you're out, she's most likely sleeping - dogs tailor their routine round yours, so you'll be surprised how little stimulation she needs when you're not there - unless you're leaving her for really prolonged periods of time, and if that's the case, two of them could make a real nuisance of themselves!

just don't feel guilty about her not having a 'friend'. If you think she'd benefit from friends, arrange to walk with another dog owner and teach her some supervised socialisation, learning to walk sensibly with you ignoring the other dog on your say so, and playing nicely when you say it's okay :thumbsup:

Thank you, good idea. No shes not left for too long a few hours at most, I have a lady who walks her for an hour when I'm at work too.

Were working on her manners when out at the moment, she has the habbit of looking where shes been and not where shes going.

I think she would benefit from friends though, we sometimes bump into a lovely dog on our walks and she loves running around with her.

Thank you for your replys, I think your right, perhaps I'm just worrying too much about nothing. :hihi:

Rotherham dog rescue have a lovely young male Boxer cross on their website,may be worth having a look,he is called Otto.http://rotherham-dog-rescue.co.uk/inf_03a.htm