Quote: Connie Sutherland

One small thing that I do is to have pretty set times for meals at first because of the connection between meals and potty training.

yes, you are absolutely right on this and I should have added that disclaimer
I was more in the daily activities/training etc.

Okay Guys Here Is The Deal.

My Husband Knew all about my GSD search and my training plans before we were Married in June of this year. I did not have a dog while we were dating so he didn't understand what was involved in training and raising a working dog.
He Did not know & still dosen't get what problems there can be having 2 dogs in the house. He says he got the Golden and thought I could train it in basic obedience, teaching his daughter some responsibility. Yes, she wanted the dog and begged him for it one Saturday while I was at work. He thought it would be nice for all involved for us to have 2 dogs. His words" They can keep each other company while your at work". I was not a happy camper when I got home and found the new puppy. I have tried to explain to him WHY it will be a problem. With the GSD being a working dog with high drives he will of course be the dominant dog of the house. I have already trained the Golden in basic obedience & he is kennel trained.
My Husband travels 10 days at a time. Then is home for 2 days and back out for 10.My step daughter won't even let the dang dog in from the back yard while I'm at work to play with him.
My husband says he has become to attached to the Golden now to sell him or take him back to the breeder. My husband is a good man and we are very much in Love. He just can't wrap his thick head around the fact that 2 dogs in the house are going to be a problem when not supervised. He had never heard of Shh or " working dogs" before we started dating. I Love the Golden and only want the best for him. I'm going to keep him. He is solely attached to me and ignores my husband and step daughter when they call him or command him to sit or lay down. You can guess why since I'm the one to feed, play and let him out and act as the pack leader.
Please understand I researched and looked for the right bloodlines and PRICE for months & months before I made the decision to put a deposit on a stud & bitch litter that could not be on the ground until at least August of this year. My husband knew I was looking for just the right breeder and breeding long before we even started dating. He just didn't understand a thing about more than 1 dog being in the same house.

Thank you for all the advise. Please keep the suggestions coming and I will let you how things are going when my new pup arrives

 Quote: Dawn Davis

With the GSD being a working dog with high drives he will of course be the dominant dog of the house.

Uh, why would you assume he is going to be the dominant dog of the house?
That is absolutely not true in my opinion. Just because a dog is a working dog does not make them dominant.

And, you, will be the pack leader, right?

There is SO much I'm itching to say here...but I won't because it probably wouldn't be appropriate for a dog training forum.

Dawn...bottom line...you have potentially a far bigger issue than raising 2 puppies. Everyone in the house needs to be on the same page and consistant when it comes to the pups.

If your husband and his daughter don't understand pack structure and the rules then you need to call a family meeting and make them understand. Educate them. Get the Leerburg videos and watch them together.

It's a way of life...be it pet dog or working dog...that everyone needs to follow. Otherwise all your hard work is going to be put in jeopardy.

(Ok, I just can't help myself...the 16 year old, who HAD to have the Golden, should be taking care of that pup and not shirking her responsibility. It is appalling she's getting away with this

If this was my kid I'd haul her down to the shelter and have her talk to the staff and take a long look at cages of animals, many of whom will be killed because their owners just couldn't be bothered, it was too much trouble, or they simply lost interest.)

Yes I'm the pack leader. The GSD will be the dominate dog because of pack structure. Thus the reason the golden won't listen to my husband or my step daughter. He considers himself as # 2 in the pack and why wouldn't he.

My step daughter has decided since I've been so hard on her about trying to dump the responsibility of taking care of and training the Golden that she has made it a point to stay with her Mother while my husband is out of town. My husband is okay with this. I on the other hand think it's a bunch of _ _ _ _. I have talked to both of them about dog handling. My husband says okay and listens ( but I don't think he is hearing me) The 16 yr old says " whatever".......Grrrrrrrr

I have a 27 yr old daughter that was always brought up with dogs & cats. She was taking care of her own cat at age 6 and her own Blue Heeler at 9. She understood pack structure at 9 yrs old. My husband never had a pet growing up and he, as I have said before does not " Get It". I have many Leerburg Dvds and he has watched ( If you call watching answering business calls and talking on the phone watching ) Raising a puppy 8 wks to 8 months. His comment was " Interesting" and " Do what ever you need to do". I'm at the point, Okay......You and the kid go......me and the Dogs stay LOL, Just kidding.

Hi Alyssa,

Love the Pic you have of you dog. Please see my most recent post. The Litter I'm waiting on is going to be a dark sable. I just love the coloring of these dogs.

Dawn, if you have decided to keep the golden, you have plenty of time to work out the details of your daily life w/ 2 dogs, right?

Might as well make the best of a not so ideal situation. You've got a good 2 months to get a plan in place as far as crate placement, feeding and exercise logistics, etc.

It's not a hopeless situation! There are many people on this forum w/ more than 1 dog. Start a new thread once you get your head wrapped around the idea that you're going to be raising/training 2 dogs simultaneously and ask quesions.

I'm sure you'll get some good suggestions from the multiple dog-owner members...

 Quote: lynne barrows

There are many people on this forum w/ more than 1 dog.

Exactly, I have 6 right now and there are no real leadership issues. Even with a hubby and 17yr old daughter that either A) could care less about "the rules" or B) try to spoil them

Randy,

I think you may have my question all wrong. I love the Golden and just want the best for him. I have never had 2 dogs living in the same house before and I'm quite concerned about it. I know that it is not a good idea and I don't want any dog fights or in the future having the Golden tore up by the GSD. My plan before my husband went out and bought the golden was to let my GSD ( when he is older ) out in my large fenced back yard while I'm at work. My concern here is that I'm not sure that I will have the time to always supervise both dogs while they are together!!! I don't think it's fair to keep one dog kenneled all day.

Thanks,
Dawn

If it's done right, you won't have dog fights or problems. It's a matter of raising them right, introducing them right, having proper supervision and leadership.

I had two Boxers that lived together for years, that never so much as raised an eyebrow at the other.
My husband's PPD GSD and French Ring Rottie lived together just fine as well.

Keep in mind that with both situations, the dogs were introduced slowly over time, their interactions were controlled for a long time until they had proven their ability to get along, AND it was male/female. One Male Boxer (older), One Female Boxer (Younger) - Male GSD, Female Rott.