Dog Community

New Adoption and Questions

Posted : 4/20/2007 9:25:36 AM

I posted a while back about a failed adoption I had and was wondering if I should try again. Well, I haven't been looking but a friend of a friend needs to rehome her lab/spitz mix, Bailey. Bailey is a 6-year-old spayed female. I met her first alone and she's got a great personality. Currently lives with three kids and two cats but the current owner just doesn' t have time for her which is why Bailey is morbidly obese. She currently weighs over 90 pounds and literally waddles. So anyway, Bailey's very calm and obedient. I took my 2-year-old neutered male cocker, Monty, to meet her yesterday at a neutral park and they actually did play. Bailey was in a play bow and they chased each other for a while but Bailey gets tired pretty fast.

Since I have never owned two dogs before nor one weighing more than 30 pounds, I have a few questions/concerns: Bailey is a very dominant female. Monty's always been a relatively dominant male but knew his place yesterday. Bailey would "hover" over him as if to say, I'm here now so be cool." When they played, because Bailey is so big, she would literally roll Monty. Will Bailey learn her own strength in that she may play a little nicer so Monty doesn't get hurt? I tend to worry a lot and I'd hate for him to get hurt. Also, currently Monty sits on the couch with my husband and I and it's been the three of us for two years. Is this likely to change? Will Bailey discourage Monty from doing that? I just want this to be a good match.

Bailey's coming to my house tomorrow to see how they interact inside Monty's home. Any tips/advice is appreciated. Thank you.

Jewlieee

Posted : 4/20/2007 9:34:21 AM

I would be pretty leary getting 2 dominant males. Monty may have figured out his place on neutral territory but his home will probably be a different story. Let us know how it goes.

janet_rose

Posted : 4/20/2007 9:36:44 AM

If the home test goes well, I'd say go for it. Let them meet in the yard and play before going inside.

Monty will let Bailey know if she is playing too hard and it sounds like he will help to take the weight off of her.

A booklet to consider:

McConnell, Patricia, Feeling Outnumbered? … Your Multi-Dog Household, 8/2001[font="times new roman"]
>http://tinyurl.com/6fsgw[/size][/font]

janet_rose

Posted : 4/20/2007 9:38:43 AM

I would be pretty leary getting 2 dominant males.

Bailey is a female.

nGoldenm

Posted : 4/20/2007 11:12:34 AM

I agree with janet, if they do ok at your house, go for it. There will be an adjustment period, but everyone will be fine after a little bit I'm sure. Good luck with it!

spiritdogs

Posted : 4/20/2007 11:36:22 AM

I would watch carefully as they interact. Back and forth play is good. Open mouths with tongues hanging out is good. Bullying, or one dog "rolling" another constantly is not good.
Watch your resident dog's demeanor. Is he always running from, and never toward, the other dog? That's bad. But, if you pull the more "dominant" or rough dog off, does he your current dog go back for more? That's good.
Generally, if the dogs get along, and are of opposite gender, not similar in pack status, and different ages, you have a good chance for success.

Krista DeBellis

Posted : 4/20/2007 12:28:39 PM

Thanks everyone.

spiritdogs, yes, mouths were open and tongues were hanging out. No matter how much he was rolled or flipped, Monty kept going back for more. They would take breaks and lay down for a few minutes but then they went back at it. At the end of the meeting, we were all sitting down in the grass and Monty and Bailey were just laying near each other, taking in the scenery.

Jewlieee

Posted : 4/20/2007 5:37:53 PM

Oops. I guess I can't read. Good luck with the get together!

Krista DeBellis

Posted : 4/21/2007 3:44:50 PM

Meeting went great. Both Monty and Bailey played and seemed to get along except for one thing. We have always let Monty on the furniture. I know, bad mistake. Anyway, because Bailey is such a dominant female, when they were playing, Monty would run and jump on the couch. That seemed to agitate Bailey. She'd growl, show some teeth. Monty would jump down and they would resume play. While playing, Bailey would open her mouth and put her mouth around the back of Monty's neck. To me this looked scary but is this something mother dogs do to their pups to calm them down or anything. If I want Bailey, I can pick her up tomorrow. Just wondering if this is something that I should be overly concerned about or just supervise and try to eliminate this behavior. I know we also need to have Monty not be on the furniture. Any tips, appreciated. Thank you.