Possible new Addition to the family

I often have one in and one out.  Also crating allows you to seperate them and prevent them from becoming so dependent on each other they "freak out" when one is left for any reason.  I would also slowly work to crate train Rory, neven know when you will need that (like a natural disaster situation and an  evacuation center)

 I crate my aussie but my husky has the run of the house. I tell you, that crate has really come in handy for many things. First and foremost it gave the aussie his own spot away from the husky to eat, drink and sleep (if he wants to). Plus I just feel better with them separated during the day when I'm not home. Also, when I want to work with one dog in training, I can put the other dog in the crate and not get disturbed.

I have never had any problems with crating one dog and not the other.

I wish I would have crate trained Rory and your right....this will be a great opportunity to introduce her to one. I also like the fact that the new guy Getty will have a safe haven and something familiar from his old home but I just wanted to get the general feel if this is do-able. Our plan is for him to be the hubby's dog and getty would get to go to work with him in the morning....have his own crate at work and be a "man dog", lol adn then Rory and I would still haev our cozy mornings together! Oooh I'm getting more and more excited!

In our house 4 of the dogs are crated and 1 Blaze has run of the room.  When we first decided to stop crating Blaze I was worried about the other dogs getting upset when they were in their crates and she was out.  They didn't care at all.  Usually when they go into their crates they sleep or chew on a toy or eat so I guess they just aren't worried about what she's doing b/c they're doing their own thing, and she's usually just sleeping anyway (or eating if it's meal time).  So yea, it's do-able.    And YAY!!! for the new addition.

Well the situation is not as accomodating as I thought it might be. Rory has TONS of playmates who come over, hang out and she has never disliked one of them. There has never been any aggression or issues with food,toys or anyhting. I make sure to put all her pirzed possesions away and introduce new dogs outside of our yard. My cousins dog stays over a lot and he is a male neutered Pit Bull and they LOVE eachother.

So last night Rory met Getty (our possible new guy) and we met outside the gate, walked around the block and then entered our yard. They played wonderfully for about 20 minutes and then I noticed she wouldnt let him near me. She wasnt being aggressive but would body block him everytime. He noticed to and was very persistant about it until she actually knocked him clear out of the way of me. It was VERY strange for her to act that way, I curl up with Primo or her other buddy Baron all the time and she dosnt give us a second look. He is not fixed and he was a very large guy. He is a pittie with one of those excpetionally large heads and he was very masculine. The owner assured me he would easily submit to a dominant female but I did not get that vibe from him at all. My husband and I told the owner we are going to think it over and as bad as I want a new addition it was as if Rory was trying to tell me something. What do you al think?

could she perhaps have been intimidated by his machismo so to speak? Intact males have a different air about them at times. Some bitches can be hypersensitive to that. Does she have other playmates that are entire?

Males typically do allow bitches to do as they please...but they DO have times and places when they demand obedience and they expect it. Not often...sometimes only once in their entire lifetime....but if the bitch doesn't give quarter then...it can be ugly.

I always think in adding a dog, your gut counts a TON....and if your gut wasn't comfy then perhaps it's not the right boy.

I think you got it RWBeagles....his macho-ness was overwhelming and as a pittie lover he was even intimidating to me . Rory has only played with one other un-altered dog before and he was a old man. Getty was the type of guy who came in, sprayed and kicked it up with back feet, he walked around snorting, huffing and puffing. He was a total gentlemen when it came to play but he is just a year old and hasnt reached maturity. I have been dying to take in a needy guy for the past year or so. DH and I have had countless lengthy discussions and were very prepared but for a new addition so its really a bummer. I dont want to sacrifice the well being of Rory, he has lived with 3 other fosters BUT spent the past 1/2 year of his life in a crate for 12 hours a day....horrible since he just reached 1 year. Do you think that has something to do with it or maybe he's just one of those manly dogs?

 Go with your gut. A dog that marks then kicks it up with the feet is not usually a submissive dog.

It's tough though because Neiko will guard me like your dog did around new dogs as well. He has no problems letting his friend dogs snuggle up to me for attention, but new dogs aren't allowed to do that. He gets all huffy and puffy and will body block the other dog from getting too close. However, he's the type of dog that will back down when challened so I really don't worry about it. If your dog is not like that - and if the other dog isn't like that either, it could get really ugly.

Maybe your girl needs a really young dog, like a pup so that it grows in to being part of the family instead of butting in to the family - if you know what I mean? 

well "that age" lol, there's a lot of posturing around that time. But you can sorta tell the "I'm over compensating and unsure" stuff from "I rule the world" confidence...well dog people can...and you'e a dog person so I think you got it right.

But honestly? Some boys just "got it like that" from a very early age. I know there was one Kerry Blue Terrier Ch everyone just always said they got a strong macho vibe from...and he was almost intimidating because of that, perfectly friendly...just "a lot of dog". Like a stallion people would say. I know nothing of horses but I think stallions often have that barely held in masculinity that can be off putting to other horses sometimes?

That Kerry was "it" in a show ring tho, because of that...and he was a young dog...less than 2.

I think you should trust your judgement...and Rory's too but if YOU really like the dog you could try again elsewhere, another safe neutral site, off leash and see if the same thing is occuring?

Well my mother always said go with your gut and I'm gonna have to talk to DH about this but he usually trusts my judgement......ok so all that aside........OH man is this boy handsome! he has a huge head but not that overly bully smile thats all gummy ya know, his ears are uncropped and so big and goofy, lol? He has a distinct line right down the middle of his face like "two-face", one side white and the other grey AND his body was a beautiful blue brindle which I rarely see in pitties....I actually think it may be a fault but not sure. Anyhoo he is a BEAUTY. They are gonna play on friday but unless the last meeting was a fluke .....ha ha I am goingto take it slow looking for a new guy! Thanks everyone, i'll keep ya posted!