Reg: 09-24-2004
Posts: 209
Loc: beeYOOtiful British Columbia
Offline
Hi all,
I am about to do something my family thinks is supremely nuts and add a Malinois to my home. (No one ever accused me of being entirely sane, thank you for inquiring <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />.) I am wondering how to go about it to make the experience as stress-free as possible for ALL concerned (human and canine!)
I currently am owned by an 8 year old spayed female border collie who has been the "only dog" since I brought her home at 4 months of age. We do visit family and friends, most of which are dog homes as well, and she is not easily ruffled but she does have a dominant streak. Up to now this has not been a problem because most of the family/friend's dogs are willing to let her call the shots, and if there have been occasional skirmishes they've resolved themselves if we let the dogs sort it out on their own. They've mostly been personal space issues, with the occasional 'discussion' over squeaky toy ownership.
However, she has not really had to share her human or her home with any other dog for a great length of time. The Mal I'm getting is a nearly 2 year old intact male who- the breeder assures me- is calm, good natured, and in no way dog aggressive. The breeder is a close friend of mine and I asked her to be totally honest about this, so I believe her. I have been involved with Malinois for a few years but he will be the first one I have owned so I absolutely didn't want to cut my teeth on a land shark, so to speak.
So how should I go about letting these two dogs meet? Would I be better off to leave my border collie at home and pick the Mal up at the airport alone? If the best meeting place is somewhere unfamiliar for my bc (neutral ground,) should I arrive with my bc while someone else has the Mal, or vice versa? There is also the question of sleeping arrangements- theirs, not mine, lol. My bc is loose in the house at all times and sleeps on the floor next to my bed. The Malinois will be crated when I'm not around (I have no idea about his household manners) and overnight. Do I not disrupt the bc's schedule and keep the Mal's crate out of the bedroom? Someone suggested crating them both in the bedroom. While my bc kennels pretty well, she has not had to sleep overnight in one since she was about a year old unless we have been away at out of town trials, etc.
Any thoughts/suggestions ( constructive ones, mind <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> would be very much appreciated. Thanks in advance.
I currently am owned by an 8 year old spayed female border collie
If your family thinks your nuts, it's their fault, they are the ones who sold you to a dog 8yrs ago, LOL!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Reg: 09-24-2004
Posts: 209
Loc: beeYOOtiful British Columbia
Offline
Trent, thank you for pointing me to that article. I had missed it earlier but you're right- it is full of useful info. Thanks as well to Ed for writing it in the first place! Going to come in handy in the next few weeks.
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