A companion for Boysie?

[Maria]

We have been thinking for a little while about getting another dog. Partly because we love having Boysie so much, and partly as a companion for him.(He doesn't like being alone for too long - which he isn't, but I always feel guilty). The only thing is, when we 'rescued' him , we were told that  he was rehomed because he had a son who kept picking fights with him. This makes us concerned that he might not be happy with another dog. He is fine with most other dogs outside the home - but we have never had another dog visit us, so don't know what he'd be like in that situation. If we go ahead, we'd like to rescue another dog, but don't want to get in a situation where we would have to return it if Boysie clearly wasn't happy. Has anyone got any advice as to how we could judge if he would accept another dog living with him?                    

[picklesmum]

Hi Maria. This maybe sounds daft, but could you 'borrow' a friend's dog for a few days, to see what Boysie thinks? We 'borrowed' a friend's Springer for a day/night to help socialise Pickle! It worked well, and he enjoyed having the company. We have also offered to look after another friend's Cocker when they go on holiday - really just for socialising Pickle again, although I am secretly trying to get hubbie used to the idea of another doggie, so when Pickle is older, I can sneak one in permanantly!!!
Emma and Pickle xx                    

[Dessie]

Hi Maria

You might be better off looking for a young bitch as a companion for Boysie (I presume that he has been neutered :wink: )  He would probably love having a little girlfriend around :wink: but if a young dog came up for rehoming it could work out very well as well.  He might have had trouble with his son as he would of been the Top Dog and his son was trying to take over.  

HTH                    

[Maria]

Hi Maria

You might be better off looking for a young bitch as a companion for Boysie (I presume that he has been neutered :wink: )  He would probably love having a little girlfriend around :wink: but if a young dog came up for rehoming it could work out very well as well.  He might have had trouble with his son as he would of been the Top Dog and his son was trying to take over.  

HTH

Yes he has been neutered. We have seen a young dog that needs a home, but were worried about Boysie's past experience with his son. Apparently the son was fighting to be top dog. I'll have to see if we can find a friend who will let us 'borrow' their dog for a night!
Thanks for the replies                    

[padfoot]

When we rescued Toby, he had been surrended to the rescue because the family's GSD kept picking on him. He came here to live with Millie and he has lots of contact with my mum's dogs and my brother's dogs as we tend to take our dogs around to eah other's houses in our family. He sometimes has small spats with very dominant dogs, but in general he loves canine company and is very playful.
I think with careful introductions things should be fine, but it might be a good idea to take on a dog of a different age and gender to mimise the chances of competition.                    

[Dessie]

Yes he has been neutered. We have seen a young dog that needs a home, but were worried about Boysie's past experience with his son. Apparently the son was fighting to be top dog. I'll have to see if we can find a friend who will let us 'borrow' their dog for a night!
Thanks for the replies

Could you give this younger dog a try out.  What is his personality like ?? If you mention all these worries and concerns to the Rescue Centre I'm sure they can give you some excellent advice.

As you have said the problem with Boysie before was that his son was trying to push him off Top Dog Spot and Boysie wasn't having none of it.                    

[Maria]

 If you mention all these worries and concerns to the Rescue Centre I'm sure they can give you some excellent advice.

As you have said the problem with Boysie before was that his son was trying to push him off Top Dog Spot and Boysie wasn't having none of it.

That's a good idea - I will discuss with the rescue centre, and see what they say. Thanks Dessie                    

[Dessie]

Your welcome Maria - it's all the Pet Rescue Series I watch  :wink:  :wink:                    

[Maria]

I've spoken to the behaviourist at the Rescue centre, who says he is a lovely dog, and believes it is highly unlikely that the little chap would want to be top dog. She actually fostered him for 4 weeks to help with his 'issues' , but couldn't keep him as she already has 3 dogs. He has several issues, but the main one is that he is suffering from stress, and is currently on rescue remedy. Apparently he was bought from a pet shop, and has been pulled about by children. He has been rehomed twice, but returned, in her view because they didn't follow the advice given by her and the centre.He is now crate trained,which appears to help with his separation anxiety. The poor little mite seems to have been through a lot. She suggested that we arrange for Boysie to meet him, and see how we get on from there. So, I'm going to try and arrange to see him next weekend .
Thanks for all the helpful advice.                    

[Dessie]

Hi Maria

That's great news and I'm pleased to hear that the Rescue Centre think he will get on well with Boysie.

Do let us know when he meets him.                    

[Georgie]

If Boysie's been neutered then I suggest maybe getting a bitch, but I think 'pickle's mum's' suggestion was correct and borrow a friends cocker and see how Boysie copes.