 when to get another dog
#259174 - 12/11/2009 02:21 AM |
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I have had 2 australian shepherds for the last 3 years, they are 5 years old and i rescued them together. They are sisters from the same litter and the best dogs i could ask for. I triedto rescue a Pit/Boxer mix who was 15 months old. Last week (after 3 months of having the new dog) there was a fight between my Alpha Shepherd and the new Pit/Boxer. My Australian Shepherd was killed instantly and i felt that i had to put the Pit/boxer to sleep. After reading leerburgs article on introducing an adult dog to the pack i realized my Fatal mistakes. Now i have only one dog left. She seems very lonely and starving for attention. How long should i wait to get another dog? What breed works well with a large farm type lifestyle? Also looking for a protection type dog to take care of my family while i work for up to 5 days straight? any help please.
-Bobby
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 Re: when to get another dog
[Re: Boby Martens ]
#259175 - 12/11/2009 03:41 AM |
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I have had 2 australian shepherds for the last 3 years, they are 5 years old and i rescued them together. They are sisters from the same litter and the best dogs i could ask for. I triedto rescue a Pit/Boxer mix who was 15 months old. Last week (after 3 months of having the new dog) there was a fight between my Alpha Shepherd and the new Pit/Boxer. My Australian Shepherd was killed instantly and i felt that i had to put the Pit/boxer to sleep. After reading leerburgs article on introducing an adult dog to the pack i realized my Fatal mistakes. Now i have only one dog left. She seems very lonely and starving for attention. How long should i wait to get another dog? What breed works well with a large farm type lifestyle? Also looking for a protection type dog to take care of my family while i work for up to 5 days straight? any help please.
-Bobby
I'm very sorry that happened to one of your dogs. You should never get a dog for a dog but only if you and the entire family want another dog. You also should not expect any dog of any breed or mix to protect your family other than possibly give a warning bark.
If you want a trained protection dog, you would need to get an adult from a reputable source. And you would need to be willing and able to handle the dog as well as able to handle potential liability issues.
A few breeds that might work well would be Australian Cattle Dog, Australian Shepherd, German Shepherds, and Malinois (all preferably from working lines). Others that might work would be the livestock guard breeds such as Great Pyrenes,Kuvasz,or Anatolian Shepherds.
Edited by Elaine Haynes (12/11/2009 03:45 AM)
Edit reason: corrections
"A dog wags his tail with his heart." Max Buxbaum
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Re: when to get another dog
[Re: Elaine Haynes ]
#259179 - 12/11/2009 04:51 AM |
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Hey Bobby,
Sorry about everything that happened, it's so sad when you lose one like this. Alot of which kind of dog depends on what you're looking for, training commitments, and expectations. If it were me and I had the space and the same lifestyle I have now I'd look strongly at one of the livestock guardian breeds. I'm particularly fond of the maremmas at work but the others Elaine listed are also really nice as well.
You really don't need to foster a lot of skill to get a working line livestock guardian to bark aggressively at intruders, give aggressive chase to predators, but still be great around the family unit including other dogs. I would never recommend them however for places with a lot of movement in and out of new people.
There is no real answer on when to get another dog other than to say. When you're done grieving, thinking clearly, and ready for another.
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Re: when to get another dog
[Re: Elaine Haynes ]
#259200 - 12/11/2009 09:18 AM |
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"A few breeds that might work well would be Australian Cattle Dog, Australian Shepherd, German Shepherds, and Malinois "
ACD's or Aussi's would suck as protection dogs. I like both breeds but not for protection.
The rescue probably could have been handled by an experienced person with no problem, did you look into that?
Getting a dog to keep another dog company is a red flag and shows that you might need to gain more experience. You have 2 dead dogs, 1 and maybe 2 that didn't need to be dead. I'll bet there was a million signs over the 3 months that you didn't see or weren't looking for, so why in the world do you want another dog????? Sorry but i feel bad for the dog/s, not for you.
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Re: when to get another dog
[Re: Al Curbow ]
#259219 - 12/11/2009 11:55 AM |
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ACD's or Aussi's would suck as protection dogs. I like both breeds but not for protection.
Not sure I agree with you, Al, on the ACD. I've been chased by more than a couple while doing environmental field work or when visiting farms. Those suckers will bite for real!  
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Re: when to get another dog
[Re: Konnie Hein ]
#259230 - 12/11/2009 01:34 PM |
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ACD's or Aussi's would suck as protection dogs. I like both breeds but not for protection.
Not sure I agree with you, Al, on the ACD. I've been chased by more than a couple while doing environmental field work or when visiting farms. Those suckers will bite for real! Same with a working line Aussie, if you're just looking for a dog to protect the farm. As Melissa said, it's not hard to get a working line livestock guardian breed to bark at/give chase to intruders.
Now if you were talking an actual trained, personal protection dog that would be a different story.
I'm in agreement with the suggestions that you shouldn't get another dog for your existing dog's company. You mentioned that the remaining dog seems lonely and starved for attention - why not give her a little attention yourself? Do some training with her? Throw a ball?
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Re: when to get another dog
[Re: Jasmine Dillon ]
#259232 - 12/11/2009 01:46 PM |
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.... I'm in agreement with the suggestions that you shouldn't get another dog for your existing dog's company. You mentioned that the remaining dog seems lonely and starved for attention - why not give her a little attention yourself? Do some training with her? Throw a ball?
There is never ever a guarantee that another dog would get along with your dog. Then what? It doesn't mean that you're morally deficient because you were in way over your head by having a pack of three dogs, but the fact that there was a deadly fight on your watch does mean that you you're not up on dog-dog interaction.
I would welcome this signal that I had allowed my dog to depend on other dogs for stimulation and fun and I'd step right up to make myself the shining star in her life.
If you'd like marker-training or just fun-with-dog suggestions, you're in the right place. A busy dog (and a tired dog) is a happy dog. 
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Re: when to get another dog
[Re: Konnie Hein ]
#259300 - 12/12/2009 07:49 AM |
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ACD's or Aussi's would suck as protection dogs. I like both breeds but not for protection.
Not sure I agree with you, Al, on the ACD. I've been chased by more than a couple while doing environmental field work or when visiting farms. Those suckers will bite for real! LOL, which is why they often get disqualified at herding trials.
I did specify working lines for the herding breeds I mentioned but I wonder if the OP has the dog savy to handle the average working line herding or Livestock Guard breed?
I think the suggestion to pay more attention to the remaining dog was a good one. I hope he seriously considers it and waits to get another dog until he's spent more time studying canine behavior and learning about training (Leerburg is a great place to start).
"A dog wags his tail with his heart." Max Buxbaum
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 Re: when to get another dog
[Re: Boby Martens ]
#259360 - 12/13/2009 12:45 AM |
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Thank you all for your suggestions and comments. I am in no hurry to get another dog, I realize after reading ALOT of Leerburgs articles that i have alot to learn. AL, I totally understand what your saying, and i am not trying to put a bandaid on this situation by "replacing" my dogs. I was more looking for advice to use in the future (1 yearish) when i feel i am ready. Thanks. I know for sure that i do not have the time to commit to training a Pure Breed Working Line Dog. I am more concerned about keeping my family safe, teaching responsibility to my kids, and enjoying the companionship of dogs. FYI: I only get rescue dogs. Thanks to all again, i look foward to your advice in the future. -BOBBY!
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Re: when to get another dog
[Re: Boby Martens ]
#259362 - 12/13/2009 03:50 AM |
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Bobby,
There are positive things you and your family can do right now to help you through the grief process.
1. Make memory books for the deceased dogs.
2. Donate to your local shelter or to a rescue group or to a canine health organization (the 1st 2 don't have to be money donations).
3. Pay more attention to the remaining dog to help her through her mourning process (yes, they do mourn).
And, when the time comes, seriously consider an LGD. You can get one through rescue and one, with proper training, would probably be just the ticket for your needs.
"A dog wags his tail with his heart." Max Buxbaum
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