New dog introduction

[mottersheadt]

As you are all too familiar with cocker behaviour, I am trying to find advice on how to introduce my nearly 3 yr. old, adorable, golden cocker bitch (and she really is at times) to another dog. We have only had her since before Xmas and the road has been rough.  Things are better now she trusts us and we have learnt about her triggers (some) and as well as being extremely patient, have been able to avoid the situation happening in the first place.  We fancy a young Labrador to join our family and whilst I think that this breed are very easy going and friendly, she unfortunately is not always with other dogs.

I would appreciate any advice from someone who has been through this please.

Many thanks
Tracey   

[Cob-Web]

Although every dog varies and some thrive in the company of another dog, if your current dog has only been with you a matter of months and you are still working on aspects of her behaviour, I would suggest that you wait before introducing a new dog to the household 

When a dog is rehomed/rescued, it can take several months, or longer, for their "true" behaviour to manifest itself, and if you introduce another dog, then you inevitably have less time to focus your attention on your current girl   

That is not to say that you will never be a two (or more) dog family, just that right now, your current dog is still settling in and a new arrival will change the dynamics you have built up with her 

[Top Barks]

how does she react to other dogs? off lead? on lead? different types and sexes of dogs?

[mottersheadt]

Thanks for your replies.  I can't work out which type of dog she prefers if any and she is definitely worse on the lead.  She is OK most of the time but the other day we met a very old dog who just stood like a statue whilst she sniffed him for a minute - suddenly she snapped at him and growled, the poor old boy had done nothing!  But when I think about it they were nose to nose so she may have felt this confrontational and a threat, she is too quick to react some times.   

Regarding the first reply to my post, I have now decided not to go ahead with another dog.  I agree with what you have said entirely and I think I just needed someone to confirm it.  We have come so far with her that this may undo the trust we have built and I don't want to spoil the lovely happy life she had now.  The other option is to consider her having pups so that we could keep one, then she would be OK with it - hopefully.  Having not done this before it is quite scary and I don't know if she would be a good mother or become too protective over the pups?  Anyway, just a thought and thanks again, I love her to bits and don't know what I've ever done without her.

Last but not least, how do I put her picture on here?

[Nicola]

If your dog has temperament issues this should absolutely make breeding from her out of the question so please reconsider this idea. To let a dog with possible behavioural issues have puppies could be a disaster. Only the very best examples of a breed should be used for breeding and this means in health, inlcuding DNA testing for inherited conditions; temperament, which should be of the absolute best; and type, is the dog fit for purpose and has it proven itself as a good example of the breed - in the show ring for a show Cocker and as a working dog for a working Cocker. In breeding a dog with behavioural issues you risk not only making her issues worse but her passing these on to any puppies which she might have. Breeding dogs is not for the faint hearted, if you do it properly it's expensive, time consuming and heartbreaking when things go wrong, as they often do.

If I were you I would keep persevering with her, you have only had her for a short time and issues such as hers can take a long time to resolve.

[Joules]

Agree with Nicola - please don't think about breeding from her especially if she has issues    Breeding is something that is best left to the experts imo.  There are so many horror stories from people who went into breeding without enough knowledge or expertise.    If I were you I would just enjoy your dog for now and work on resolving her issues with a view to perhaps taking on another rescue in a year or two. 

[daisy do]

Hello I to had trouble putting picture on you go into your profile and press the browse to get into your pics you have taken and then choose which one press open and  I had to rotate it to fit before hand  it should be done , hope this helps by the way this is a brilliant place to be with lots of help and good advice

X Daisy Do and mum a Golden cocker

[mottersheadt]

Thanks very much all of you.  I agree that this site is brilliant and there is so much good advice around.  I will keep you posted on her behaviour which is improving all the time, I can tell that she is so happy with us.

Tracey 

[sharonmansfield]

Glad to hear that you dog is happy with you. I totally agree with Nicola about breeding in my opinion its best left to the experts who have the knowledge and expertise to breed quality healthy pups. See how her behaviour goes as it sounds like you are doing well with her and then maybe in the future you could think about another dog. You have not had her that long really and it sounds like you are doing well in helping her.
Best wishes
Sharon