a new addition?

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Pennylane

Forums Regular
Hi all

My desexed boy Miles is now just over a year old. I'm considering buying him a friend...

I've found this cute little girl that's about the same size as him (he's tiny). I'm just concerned that he's too naughty around the puppy and will traumatise her. He has shown some tendency of mounting and coat-biting another dog (a 3 year old King Charles that belongs to my friend), although mostly playfully.

Has anyone had any problems with having one boy then a girl? Any advice? Will two Shelties tend to be more noisy than just one? I'm also worried he'll be jealous - he's very protective and shadows me everywhere.

Thank you!
 
It depends on the temperment of the girl. If she is really shy and timid, he may too much for her. If she is similar to him in activity level and temperment, they may get along just fine.

I find most male shelties are mushes with girls. With all the sheltie boys I know, the girls end up ruling the roost. But they let the boys think they do. :lol:

As far as the noise. Yes the noise level goes up exponentially with the number of shelties you have. They seem to set each other off.
 
desexed dogs and other animals will mount each other to show dominance. With the herd of dogs I have here, all fixed, they all mount each other at times. Mounting is not just a sex thing. I have 4 boys and 6 girls. The females will sometimes mount the others. It is just a sign or show of dominance. When one tries to mount or play with another not wanting to play...they set them straight. No blood or scars but a display of "leave me alone" My Shanny and Maizie are tiny little girls...they are the most adamant when they are not in the mood to play or be teased or mounted

the noise level...oh goodness. WWhen one dog barks here, everyone follows suit. I trained them all when I say "enough" loudly the noise stops
 
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My boy came first, 4 years later I found my little girl, and they really get along great. I wish they were a bit closer in age, but Lady keeps Lucky young at heart. I wanted a little girl, I was fortunate when I found Lady she was a female. I thought a female would be a great fit for my boy. Sounds silly, I just had fear if I bought a male, he would by chance turn Alpha on Lucky. Lucky is sooooo sweet, I didn't want that. Lady is my first female, and she is a little doll, and fun.
 
As Shelli said, you really need to judge the temperment of the girl. I chose to have two boys exactly the same age, and it worked out really well for us.

As for the rough play, that's just normal! If you check out some of our pictures or videos, you'll see it all the time. Sometimes when I watch them going at it, I'm sure one of them is going to get hurt....I've never once heard one of them yelp when they play like that. I've seen Indy on this back, with Bacca standing over him, grabbing his ruff and give huge shakes! Indy just wiggles all the more! Silly pups! :biggrin2:
 
I wouldnt worry too much about Miles. I got a boy first and then a girl. Deska was a bit too rough with her - being young himself he didnt have much self control. The behaviourist said to me, if I think its getting too rough, just seperate them and tell Deska 'no'. I do think Deska's roughness made it a little harder for her to settle in and may have been why she was playing up around 5mths. But from about 6mths she was able to tell Deska to back off for herself. My two are best friends now and so sweet together.

12 months is a good age - by then they have a better concept of the 'feelings' of other dogs and will understand when to back off.
But be warned - they do feed off each other, esp when they are close in age. And I swear sometimes they compete for who can be the naughtiest
 
I have a male and a female too. Chinook, the male, is 4 months older and I had him first. They are the best of friends and play extremely well together. Maia, even though she is younger and 'smaller' (ie. weighs much less) is the BOSS however. She can hold her own no problem. In fact, I have to step in sometimes and make sure Chinook is treated well by her especially at dinner time. I sometimes feed them in their kennels, which are side by side. Maia, who eats in seconds, would growl and snarl at Chinook through the crate and he would stop eating and just look all scared and sad. I finally had to cover the side of the crate so Maia could not see him and he can eat in peace.
 
I really would not worry to much about Miles.He will settle in,as well as the new pup. I think every owner goes thru this kind of worry when bringing in a new babe,no matter if its a dog or cat.

I think from what I have seen,just in the relationship with Trapp & our blind kitty,I worried that he may be to rough. But I will say,this past weekend they have become really best buds. She actully puts her self out there,and is looking for him to play.

I can say that Earnhardt does show differant play tactics,when there has been dogs in foster here that are his size. Like 70lbs and up. There were times with Kasey (chocolate lab~ 72lbs) that they would play & sparr together. I thought they would kill themselves they way they would run wrestle,and play bite. Never any yelping,it was just pure hard play.

And as far as Trapp & Earnhardt,well ya'll have seen those two together..just awesome.
 
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