Second dog?

My dog is tiny, 6pounds to be exact. He is very bright and always well behaved. We would love to get a second dog, and as Dexter is now 3 and fully matured this seems like the right time, we have a decent garden and i,m working from home form home now. However there a a few problems, as i have said he is tiny (a papillion -cairn cross) and a total mum's boy that follows me everywhere. So i want your opinions on a couple of matters. i'd like to get a rescue dog but am afraid of Dexter being hurt by a bigger dog , as you rarely see small dogs in rescue centres. Also will he become very jealous of the new dog? and lastly, if we don't get a rescue dog what type of dog would you recommend for us?

Second dog?
As long as Dexter is well socilised and comfortable around other dogs then you shouldn't have any problems introducing a second dog. Rescue centers match you up with the right dog and there is all sorts of dogs big and little looking for homes through no fault of there own. You may notice Dexter getting jealous at certain times but this is normal behaviour and you shouldn't punish him otherwise he'll associate the new dog as a bad thing. If you don't go ahead with rehoming a rescue dog then i suggest you go with something simalar to dexters size such as Pomeranion, Lhasa-Apso, shiu tzu, etc. Good luck.
Reply:get a small dog so tiny doesn't get squished.when you cuddle one cuddle them both instead. i think you should get a papillion or a Shetland sheepdog.
Reply:Try multiple shelters and I'm sure you'll find a small dog. Don't get a bigger dog, it could very easily mean trouble. If you don't find a small dog at the shelter, try every few weeks or so until you find one, I guarantee one will show up eventually. It doesn't seem like your in too big a hurry to get another, so take your time until you find the perfect companion. Also try petfinder.com and search your area for small young dogs.
Reply:What you can do is that you can get a trainer and train the dog to be with bigger dogs. If that doesnt work you should jsut get something small ort maybe the same breed but a female so your dog can have puppies
Reply:I would get a puppy. How about another small breed? My first dog was very clingy but I got a puppy and she was fine to share my attention, possibly because she recognised that the puppy needs attention.

If you want a rescue dog then you will most probably find a small dog, especially if you are not concerned about it being a pure breed. Or how about going to a rescue centre which specialises in small dogs such as Bichon Rescue.

When you get your new dog make sure to always feed Dexter first. Greet him first when you arrive home etc. so that he has 'top dog' status.
Reply:There are lots of Papillons looking for a new home. Why not contact Papillon rescue?

http://www.papillonclub.co.uk/club/rescu...
Reply:Check with your local resue and see if you could bring your dog with while looking for a new one. There is always the chance that your dog will become jealous, but give it some time. Maybe look for a puppy, this way the older dog can take on the role of parent, but do try to stick with a smaller breed, although sometimes mixed sizes can get along, sometimes they don't.
Reply:of course he will be jealous as he is very fond of you and when u r giving ur attention to another dog he wont like this you can get all sorts of dogs in rescue centres but the problem with rescue is u dont know what happened to them b4 or how they were treated so u would be taking a chance and if im right papillion dogs can be snappy with other dogs so maybe u r just best leaving it and being happy with one dog as it wouldnt be fair on him to bring another dog in now!!



it would of been best to do it when he was a bit younger then he may of accepted it.
Reply:Definitely get a rescue dog, they make lovely pets and are so in need of loving homes. Contact your local rescue centre and go along, preferably with your dog, to see what type of dog the centre recommends, they will know the characters of all the dogs they have as they should all have been assessed. The centre where I got my dog from recently had small dogs as well as large, and they were totally honest about the dog we wanted, the information they gave us was really useful.



There should not be too much problem introducing the dog into your home, he or she will probably be put in their place by your little dog (small doesn't mean they cannot be dominant) and once he or she knows his place in the pack, they will likely tick along quite nicely together. That is why it is so important to take your dog with you to the rescue centre and let them have a run around together, see how they take to each other. If they don't , don't bring that dog home. If the rescue centre won't let you bring your dog to meet the new one, then go to another centre. I would definitely go for a rescue dog though because if the centre has done its work properly, they will know alot about the dog and you will know what kind of dog you are getting temperament wise. If you get a puppy from a breeder, they are likely to be too young to see what they are going to be like. A good rescue centre or the RSPCA can give you good advice.
Reply:I have two dogs and it was the best decision I have ever made. They get along so well, keeping one another company while I am out. So definately, go for it! Get a dog the same breed or similar so they are both basically the same size and avoid fights by making them eat in seperate places. Treat them both the same and give them love. You can't go wrong. Good luck :)
Reply:The thing is, since Dexter is very clingy, he might feel left out when you give attention to the new dog, which could cause his behavior to change. Also, if you were to get a rescue dog, it would depend on the nature of the dog. If you were to get it at a rescue league, ask and see if the dog has any prior expierence w/ other dogs. If you WEREN'T to get a rescue dog, then I'd say maybe get another dog Dexter's size, maybe another Papillion?



HIH!
Reply:get a dog that is used to other dogs, like one that's been owned before. also if you get a puppy, they'll be used to eachother. rescue dogs are great because they're very trainable.
Reply:If you're getting another dog you should maybe consider getting a pup. We had a small dachshund and I wanted a Rottweiler although I was concerned about the dachshund being overpowered etc condsidering the size difference. I needn't have worried - the dachshund was the boss from the start! She started off as a surrogate mum type and remained in charge even when the rottie was fully grown. They became very close.



Good luck and enjoy whatever you do!
Reply:its a good idea, just remember to treat them like an equal. we have two dogs, one of them is a mummys boy and the other is a daddys girl. the older one is very dominant over the female though and we have been told that this is because he sees himself as pack leader and she is his pack. i wouldn't reccommend a rescue dog, because you don't know its background, i would only reccommend a rescue dog if you have no other animals or children. i would reccommend a puppy of th same breed as your dog now, then they can orm their own 'pack' and your dog now wont feel as left out as if you got a bigger dog.
Reply:I have two dogs of the same breed and they love each other to bits. My girl dog is in charge and he knows it but they are company for each other when we're working and its great to watch them playing together. Definately get another one of a similar size.