To adopt a dog or not??? UPDATE!

[kermit116]

I vote yes. I agree with others here that dogs are a huge responsibility, but (as others have also said) you already have a dog at this point. And it would be wonderful if you could give a rescue dog a wonderful home. We have three rescue dogs and they have brought such joy to our lives. I hope all this advice on the board helps, and I really think if you adopted this dog you would not regret it.

 

[kkwis2]

My baby girl (my avatar) died suddenly on 9/1. I said I would probably wait until December to get another dog...then that became November or December. Then I found the website of a breed rescue in Houston, and I brought home TWO 18 month old brothers on 10/8. Yes, it would have been nice to not be responsible for a dog for a while but I just couldn't say no. I can't imagine life without dogs.

OP, what does your family say about adding another dog?

I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your little girl. She's a cutie! Those sudden deaths are so difficult. Glad to hear that you've added some new babies to love!

The kids are, of course, all for getting another dog. My husband and I are both still really torn. Our heads say "no", our hearts say "yes". . . . .

 

[disney dog lover]

As someone who has 6 dogs, 2 cats, and a bunny, is a veterinary technician, worked with many rescues and is the local animal behaviorist I can feel your dilemma. You have to make the decision that works best for you and your family. You seem like a dedicated pet owner and would be a good home. My only word of advise is to foster first if you can.
Many horders animals suffer from kennelosis and poor socialization. That way you can make sure it's a good fit for your family. See how I didn't even consider not atleaste trying her out!!!
Good luck with your decision. Like I say" there is always room for one more"!!! But I am very lucky

 

[kkwis2]

Well, after much consideration, Jewel is now at home with us.

We took Lexi to meet her on Saturday, and Jewel was scared to death of her . . . for about 30 seconds. She slowly warmed up to her, and Lexi was fine with her. We actually spent about an hour letting the dogs get to know each other. Then my husband and I still weren't sure so decided that we needed to think about it some more. Then they told us that they have a 30 day "grace" period in which we could bring her back if we needed to - YES, I know that it would be incredibly difficult to take her back for all of us, but it still made us feel a lot better about things just in case the dogs end up not getting along. That's our biggest fear. Lexi is very alpha, but at the same time very friendly, so we have to know that their personalities will mesh.

So, Jewel came home with us on Sunday. So far, so good other than potty accidents (she is not housetrained). The two dogs are getting along so far, though Jewel is not so sure about playing with Lexi quite yet as Lexi paws at her (lightly) trying to get her to play. Jewel found that she likes bones. Lexi tried to take one away from her (our former dog Lanie was so laid back she would just Lexi take it and move on to another, until Lexi came to take that one, too), and Jewel politely told her "no". Lexi stretched out next to her and watched her chew the bone. We'll see how this progresses!

If I can figure out how to load a picture I'll post it. I've never done pics before. Thanks to everyone for your advice and interest!

Kim

 

[kkwis2]

As someone who has 6 dogs, 2 cats, and a bunny, is a veterinary technician, worked with many rescues and is the local animal behaviorist I can feel your dilemma.

Do you have any potty training tips for us? She's 8 months old, so not a young puppy. But she has no idea that she's supposed to go outside for potty. We got her to go outside last night (before bed) and this morning, but even right away this morning it took 15 minutes before she went.

 

[Bornteach]

As someone who has 6 dogs, 2 cats, and a bunny, is a veterinary technician, worked with many rescues and is the local animal behaviorist I can feel your dilemma. You have to make the decision that works best for you and your family. You seem like a dedicated pet owner and would be a good home. My only word of advise is to foster first if you can.
Many horders animals suffer from kennelosis and poor socialization. That way you can make sure it's a good fit for your family. See how I didn't even consider not atleaste trying her out!!!
Good luck with your decision. Like I say" there is always room for one more"!!! But I am very lucky

Don't forget the chickens!!

 

[mom2knk]

Well, after much consideration, Jewel is now at home with us.

Kim

Congrats on the new addition! I hope everyone continues to get along and that you all have many happy years together!

~Lori

 

[disney dog lover]

Do you have any potty training tips for us? She's 8 months old, so not a young puppy. But she has no idea that she's supposed to go outside for potty. We got her to go outside last night (before bed) and this morning, but even right away this morning it took 15 minutes before she went.

Treat her like you would a baby puppy.Take her out every few hours, after she wakes up, a little while after she eats and if she's playing and gets distracted, take her out. She'll get!
Good Luck!!!

 

[Mickeyflower]

Just like a child, CONSISTENCY CONSISTENCY CONSISTENCY!! It took Cole a couple of months to get it, but he did. Min Pins like to burrow. It part of how their breed came to be (Terrier + Dachshund = Miniature Pincher!) Small dogs were mainly used as rodent control. Because of this, they LOVE to burrow under things. For us, we got Cole a little doggy sleeping bag from a camping supply store and HE LOVES IT!

 

[Cotillard]

That's great news! Sounds like the 2 dogs are getting along really well for so early on!

I'd just say praise big time when she goes to the bathroom outdoors and even choose a word like "potty" to "encourage" or signal her to go - then big-time praise when she does it. I would never have used a word for it but a pet store owner suggested it to me and it really did help with my chihuahua
I'll say, "Go ahead and go potty... go ahead..." and then "GOOD JOB!!!!" when she squats down. Again, some people (like my mom!) find this ridiculous - but it worked perfectly w/ my little dog, so I think it's worth passing along.

I was very lucky - our dog from shelter only had one accident ever - and it was poop and it was my own fault.

Yay for adopting! I pray it will work out great for your family.

 

[kkwis2]

Yes! She's totally a burrower! It's so cute! We got Jewel a little doggie bed with sides that she can lean against. Well, wouldn't you know Lexi wants to use her bed too even though she has two of her own. So here's this big dog on a tiny little bed. It's so funny! They make a sleeping bag for a dog, huh? So many things I don't know about little dogs. . . .

Just like a child, CONSISTENCY CONSISTENCY CONSISTENCY!! It took Cole a couple of months to get it, but he did. Min Pins like to burrow. It part of how their breed came to be (Terrier + Dachshund = Miniature Pincher!) Small dogs were mainly used as rodent control. Because of this, they LOVE to burrow under things. For us, we got Cole a little doggy sleeping bag from a camping supply store and HE LOVES IT!

 

[kkwis2]

It's only day 3, so I know we need to be patient. We are telling her "go potty" when we're outside. I read in a training book that we need to repeat it while she goes in a natural voice and then give big praise when she finishes, so that's what we're trying. She'll walk around for 20 minutes in our yard though without going - even first thing in the morning- then pee inside 5 minutes after we come in. So far we haven't let her leave our kitchen/dining area much since it's not carpeted like the rest of the house.

Another question for anyone still reading: If you crate your dog(s), where do you put the crate? We've never crated at night. Lexi's crate is in our family room, but she only goes in when we leave for the day (she is very comfortable in there and gets destructive when left in the house because she gets nervous). We are starting Jewel in the crate at night since it's what she's used to and since she's not potty trained. Right now she's in my son's room, but after some whining last night (by Jewel, not my son), I'm not sure that that's the best place. Suggestions?

Thanks for everyone for your continued support!

I'd just say praise big time when she goes to the bathroom outdoors and even choose a word like "potty" to "encourage" or signal her to go - then big-time praise when she does it. I would never have used a word for it but a pet store owner suggested it to me and it really did help with my chihuahua
I'll say, "Go ahead and go potty... go ahead..." and then "GOOD JOB!!!!" when she squats down. Again, some people (like my mom!) find this ridiculous - but it worked perfectly w/ my little dog, so I think it's worth passing along.
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[Cotillard]

my dog was 8 mos. old (approx.) when we got her from the shelter. We got a crate for her before we even brought her home. She was in a room off my bedroom and she did whine and cry at first but (older and wiser than with my first dogs) I did NOT give in. Of course, I knew she was well-fed, had gone to the bathroom outside, had had a busy day and it was time to "turn in" for the night Anyway, by abt the 3d night there was no more crying or barking from her and now she will sometimes even go in her crate just to rest, all on her own. Again, assuming her physical needs have been met, I'd say it's just a matter of consistency with setting some boundaries for her. Maybe it's reminding her of the shelter a bit too much Good luck!

 

[Mickeyflower]

I've never crated my dogs, but my niece crates her German Shepard. <--- Kiba NEVER went potty in her crate.

Maybe if you put the crates next to each other, she will be a bit more comforted smelling the other dog next to her.

As for the doggy sleeping bag, I found it online at Coleman on clearance! Now is a good time to find em! Off season and all. Cole will even use it in the summer.

 

[kermit116]

We leave our dogs crates in the bedroom. They sleep in them at night and they go in their crates if we are out of the house for any length of time.

For the potty training, it's good if you can take her out every hour or so, and then when she does go potty outside tell her good girl and make a big fuss over her like she just did the best thing in the world. I've also found giving a very small treat (like a small cookie or tiny bit of lunch meat) after going potty outside helps.

Also, trainers say you shouldn't leave the dog in the crate for so long that they'll go potty in there and then sit in it. If they do that, aside from it being unsanitary, they will get used to sitting around their own waste and are less offended by going potty in the house. This can be especially hard with a dog that comes from a puppymill or hoarding situation because they have basically been trained to live in their own filth. It can be done--my puppymill rescue dogs are about 95% potty trained at this point--it'll just take time and patience. Good luck!

Hope some of this helps, and that the potty training gets better soon!

I'd just say praise big time when she goes to the bathroom outdoors and even choose a word like "potty" to "encourage" or signal her to go - then big-time praise when she does it. I would never have used a word for it but a pet store owner suggested it to me and it really did help with my chihuahua
I'll say, "Go ahead and go potty... go ahead..." and then "GOOD JOB!!!!" when she squats down. Again, some people (like my mom!) find this ridiculous - but it worked perfectly w/ my little dog, so I think it's worth passing along.
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