Quote: lisa gonzalez

hello
i know we are in for it.. in more ways than one. that's why i want to hear from other peoples past,errors and even lessons.... my reason for getting two is also because i will be getting a lot of help. i have 5 other sets of hands helping out.

I will have to say that this is my last post to this thread....The above statements have just pushed me over the "I do not even want to read this" edge.

5 sets of hands trying to help train and raise dogs is a disaster waiting to happen NOT to mention the "we are in for it" comment.

Lisa, IMHO you do not know how true that is highly probable of becoming a reality, and not in a good way.

hi,
thank you for your advice. it's one that i keep on hearing. our next project is to make seperate sleeping dens. i plan on making it work and very worth it. i'm a very strong person.... my mind is set on this. i look forward to everyones opinions and suggestions.


lisa

 Quote: lisa gonzalez

we are preparing our home for them, making sure we meet all their needs. or at least most of them.

Hmm, which needs of the pups are you planning on putting aside?

You keep repeating that these pups are "much like children" and "it's like having twins" and "lol it's like having twins with fur".

You wanted advice, here you go:

Dog Ownership 101 / Day One:

OK folks, let's look at the overhead. We're going to play Which of These Things is NOT Like the Other! Everybody Ready?? Here's a 130 lb Presa Canario and here's a toddler. Can anyone tell me if they are the same? Anyone? Yes, the gal in the back with her hand raised. Are they the same?"

"Yes, sir, yes they are the same! And two presa canarios is just like twins"!

"No, I'm sorry Lisa, dogs and children are not the same. Not even close. Perhaps you should stay after class for some extra help".

Yeesh.

 Quote: lisa gonzalez

.... two pups. lol it's like having twins with fur.

No, it's not.

And the reason for two is the "size of the property" ??

And "five sets of hands to help" is another bad indication.


Did you read this link from Carol?

http://www.leerburg.com/2dogs.htm

If not, I strongly urge you to do so.

 Quote: carol boche

5 sets of hands trying to help train and raise dogs is a disaster waiting to happen NOT to mention the "we are in for it" comment.

There has been so much very good advice already thrown out regarding this situation, but I just have to throw in my 2 cents as well, especially after the comment above.

The bottom line throughout these responses has been the simple fact that 2 puppies will be enormously more difficult to train and keep in line than one. For my part, I have seen this diffuculty first hand - the pups were hound mix litter mates, the owner (a dear friend) was advised against taking both but did it anyway out of sympathy, and she regretted it every day afterwards. The story ended tragically for one of the pups because they were never able to be trained and were CONSTANTLY getting loose or into dangerous trouble. After the death of the female, the male became MUCH closer to the family, bonded with the husband and learned to listen to his people. I can't imagine what that story would have been like had the unruly littermates been predisposed to dominance or aggression...

Because of the extrememly powerful and potentially dangerous nature of the presa canario breed, the importance of correct rearing, socialization and training is ABSOLUTE. Any keys to success (should this decision still go forward) will lay in 1. strict separation 2. ABSOLUTE and FIRM pack leadership and control 3. CONSISTENCY.

Lisa, if these dogs are allowed to be raised and "trained" by as many as 5 people there is virtually NO WAY they will recieve the consistency and leadership they need to become safe and balanced dogs that are comfortable with their place in the family. If they are allowed to live freely together, they will bond with each other MUCH more quickly than they ever will to you. I hate to say it, but your posts so far have shown too little understanding about what you are getting into for this to turn out well. I agree with an earlier post - luck will have nothing to do with the outcome of this undertaking. Would it be so bad to just go with one pup at a time???

If this were MY situation and I had just recieved the hefty barrage of unanimous advise about NOT going forward with these 2 pups at once, I would seriously re-think my decision (there's too much good experience here not to listen... and far too much to risk, IMO).

~Natalya

ok
i thought i would add a little humor.... this isn't my first presa canario. first one went to my inlaws after having him for 7 years my second one had cancer. my issue is i am not familiar with is have two. i am aware that dogs aren't like children especially these breed. i am very familiar with this breed...i'm sure i'm not the only one out there with 2 at the same time.

Having two dogs at the same time is NOT the same as raising two puppies together.

I agree with the other posters that if you get two dogs, you should get them at separate times. I.E. first get a female, raise her until she is socialized and bonded (I would say one year old) and then get a male and raise him.

Another idea if you MUST have 2 pups at the same time (DON'T DO IT!!!) is for you and you only to raise one dog, and your husband and husband only raise the second dog, and keep the two dogs completely separate, not even playing together.

I still think the other posters are correct that two dogs at the same time isn't a good idea. Read the link that Carol and Connie gave about Ed's advice for you.

Ed's dvd's are excellent and he has one for everything you can imagine in raising a pup. I have learned alot from them.

Julie

hi
i've read a lot about the way he raises his dogs. i'm learning a lot! do you know of anyone that has taken up two pups at the same time? i'm looking for positive advice....

It's great that you're here and that you're reading and learning. You're in a great place for that. HOWEVER, at risk of sounding like a broken record: We won't even sell two pups from the same litter to the same household. It's that big a deal. And our dogs (Dobes) don't grow nearly as large as your Presas do. I think it's great that you have experience with the breed and are taking steps to prepare; it sounds like you're doing everything you can to be responsible. But with your experience, you presumably understand that it's not a breed you can make too many mistakes with. And so you've got to know it's a VERY BAD idea to raise two together. Sorry to be so blunt, but this situation has a huge potential for emergency-room type badness IMHO.