New pup to go with 3yr old bitch

[brods]

we are looking to add another member to our family. We have Millie our 3 yr old cocker and would like to get another, thing is millie would rather play with us than other dogs and spends most of her walks not taking too much notice of other dogs,even ones that we walk with regularly. When she is at home she loves playing with all of us. So the question is will she like the pup,will she play with the pup and how do we introduce them both, I had heard about leaving pup in garden and letting her find him/her.Do we get another bitch or a dog? Millie is a great dog,that is why we want another but we don't want to spoil her........anyone had a similar story   please advise   

[Cob-Web]

Molo is "aloof" to other dogs when out and about; and tbh, he is not close to his sister Bonnee, who we adopted when she was just over a year old last July 

They do play/romp together for short periods most days, and he is incredibly tolerant of her behaviour - despite her age, she is the Peter-Pan of cocker spaniels and still behaves like a puppy....he just accepts her mouthing him, and trying to steal his toys/chews/food, and if he really can't take anymore a quick snarl/snap and she realises that she has gone too far 

They don't sleep together, and go off and do their own thing when out off-lead (well, Molo does his own thing, and Bonnee trots along after him like an annoying little sister  )


If you have pre-conceptions about the relationship between your existing dog and a new companion, then you may be disappointed; but if you don't expect too much, then a second dog does bring a new dimension to dog ownership 

As for dog or bitch - I don't think it really matters, cos every dog is different  Is Millie spayed? That might have a bearing on your decision; otherwise, it may be wise to allow the breeder of your new puppy to meet Millie and help you decide the puppy that would compliment her 

[PennyB]

I agree with Rachel. To be honest mine don't really bother with other dogs a lot (they do play with them sometimes especially if they're ones they knew as pups who were also pups then, but they never really play together but will mooch around together when they're out) --- they'd rather sniff around for scents or play with me really

[bibathediva]

Agree with all that has been said...your current dog does sound like my older dog  Biba (nearly 2 years )she doesn't play with other dogs..never has..and is also very aloof with them sometimes doesn't give them the time of day  ..Lola who is 8 months we have had from a pup and like Rachel's 2 are not really that close...they very rarely play together..will sleep near but not touching each other and on walks Biba likes to do her own thing but has a permanent shadow  Lola on the other hand will play all day with other dogs..is very socialable but also very annoying to Biba...she is like an annoying little sister..very in her face ..its what you doing Biba..can i see..can i join in..go on let me and Bibas face says it all...will you just P*** off and leave me alone  ..and will tell her so if she has gone too far ...
i dont think getting a pup/dog will change the way your current dog is with other dogs...i think that if they are not a playing with other dog sort then they always will be like that 
if you can cope with the fact that they might not be best buddies and with the initial settling in period then ..why not ...as not all dogs are the same..my friend has got a working cocker and have just got another pup and they are best buddies but the older dog has always loved to play with other dogs..so really does depend on the personality of the dogs 

[emilyjw]

Our story is a bit different, Jasmine who was about 3 when we got bracken has never been interested in other dogs and when we first got Bracken she wasn't interested in her at all. But as time went on Jasmine accepted bracken and now they will play, sleep together and get on really well. Jasmine will still tell Bracken if she has had enough and you have to let this happen.

During the period where Jasmine wasn't interested Bracken adopted the cat as her best friend and they still get on well.

[clairep4]

We took on Zorro when Bella was 2yrs old - we weren't that sure how it would work out as Bella had stopped playing with other dogs after all her staffie attacks. But actually Zorro has been the best thing for her, she plays with him endlessly and they really are best friends. Even the dogwalker commented on the fact they let everyone know that they come as a pair...  Zorro isn't that bothered about othe dogs at all (other than the more manic cockers he meets) but they do go off exploring together & work as a team on squirrel hunts as well.

They don't snuggle up together although I think Zorro would like to.

It changes things a lot having two and we had a few months of not getting much of a look in playing with them individually unless we got them on their own, cos as soon as you start with one, the other wants to join in. But you soon get the hang of how to play 3-way tug LOL!

I love having two and would never go back now. I think like the other posters have said just don't have too many expectations about how they'll get on and then you can't be disappointed.

[brods]

  Gosh, thanks for the feedback, nice to know Millie is not the only aloof cocker around. the next question is how to introduce the pup to Mils, I have heard about putting pup in garden and letting older find it when you let them out !!!! any suggestions, and still not sure about bitch or dog to go with her,we have always had bitches and cocking legs is not my thing,especially around the house. Mille is very good when she has had other dogs in her home so I feel she will deal with that. I do think we will gain more from another dog than her and that worries me a little as we don't want her to change [for the worst] have to decide as we are off to see pups on the 24/05 and once we have seen them well as you all know we will be getting one  

[supaspaniel]

George was quite 'aloof' to other dogs when he was an 'only dog' , but then Linus came home when George was 18 months and they constantly played 

[Mudmagnets]

Smudge (18months) is quite the opposite when meeting new dogs (and people for that matter) he is very much a 'do ya wanna play wiv me' dog, and would love a new playmate Suzie on the other hand, being nearly 13 looks on like an old maid aunt 'hmph what IS he up to now? sort of thing, and toddles off to have a roll in the grass - very ladylike aye?. They generally get on with the odd skirmish - Suzie put Smudge in his place (and I let her as long as there was no bullying), from the start as an 8 week pup.  I seperate them when I go out on my own to give the older one some space - it works for them