House hold change. Advice needed!

[Brittany]

OK... Well their will soon be some changes in our household. My boyfriend had a roommate when I moved in over ayear ago. His room mate is getting ready to move in with his girlfriend. We are happy for him but he is taking his dog. Does not make us happy we will miss her (and him) very much. She is an older pit bull. She is ten years old. So with age she has lost that HIGH STRUNG CRAZY DOG engery that Pitt bulls have. She was Busa's play mate. Busa is 5 months and my big baby good as gold puppy. Well Busa is not going to have a play mate anymore in the next week. So my question is for those of you who have had newfies Is it good for them to have a playmate growing up? We don't have a dog park anywhere in our area. We have a pet smart but he doesn't get that off the leash play and socialization. Is it better to have a playmate when he is younger and grow up with them or wait till he is older and out of his own puppy stage? What kind of breed would be good? I don't want another gaint breed. Nothing else that weighs more then me. Busa is our first gaint breed and even tho we will probably own another one I don't want my learning curb to be with 2 Newfies at once. Lol I can only imagine. Any advice and suggestions are very much appricated.

 

[Brittany]

This is Busa and Lita 2 months ago. He is bigger then her now.

 

[Nicoletta]

Personally, I would wait until my first dog was out of the puppy stage before getting another, unless I could maybe rescue an older dog or something. I know some people do it, but for me, two puppies at once would be too much. That being said, I have two kids as well...maybe if I didn't I would feel differently about having more than one puppy at once.

As for breeds...what about a Golden?


P.S, Busa is beautiful!

 

[wrknnwf]

I went through a similar experience with my first Newf. My stepson was living with me and had a dog. He moved and took his dog with him. I really think that my dog and I bonded more than ever during that time. I ended up rescuing another older Newf about 2 or 3 years later.

Don't worry, you will be fine.

 

[YorkvilleNewfie]

First off, that Pit's ears are ridiculous. I love them.

Secondly, Busa will adjust fine, but if you feel like you're up to it, I'd recommend possibly adding another *sane* adult dog into your household. I think it really doesn't matter which breed really, but very many Newf owners have Goldens or Labs as well and seem to believe that they make a smashing fit together.

 

[new_2_newf]

i think he'll enjoy being the center of attention 100 % of the time. I'd recommend just letting that be and see how it goes, and if in a few months you think it feels right, look at another dog. I've have my boy Sulley for 3 years, we do random fostering and have just adopted a senior newf...they love each other, but also love their special time with me.

 

[Kayak]

I had a roommate who had a 2 year old dog when I first got Kayak. She and her dog moved about when Kayak was about 4 months old and I must say, Kayak and I bonded so much more after she moved out. We were sad for a little while, but Kayak and I spent more time together. We do have a dog park down the street which has helped a lot. If you don't have that, maybe see if there are others in your neighborhood with older dogs who you could set up play dates with.

 

[Leonard and his bud Snuffles]

Will they live close enough to get together for a play date now and then?

 

[NinaA]

He'll be fine. Play dates are a good idea. But, in our house dogs come and go on a regular basis. My grand dogs visit and are cause for celebration. Later, when he's more mature, you might want to tackle an addition. It's a personal choice thing. I never add one that is older than the one that is current. i.e. When he's a year + you could add a pup. When he's two you could add a one year old. I do not recommend Labs unless they are very calm, as my Newfs have blown more knees than I care to count chasing Lab puppies.

 

[cmorgan.1505]

He will do fine, but what about taking him for doggie play days at a local boarding place?

 

[Brittany]

Thanks for all the great advice. I will keep you guys posted on what we decide to do.

 

[Popcorn]

i would adopt a senior ... dog, that is!

 

[Ginny]

You're smart to stick with a smaller dog. Growing Newfs being body slammed during play can lead to irreparable damage... If you don't add another, Busa will bond more with you.

 

[Brandie&Maggie]

He will be fine without a playmate living there. That's really up to you.

Have you thought about doggie daycare or a puppy play group? He'd get a lot of good socialization that way without you needing to get another dog if you aren't ready.

 

[dumainedogs]

If you haven't been taking him to any puppy or obedience classes, that too can provide a chance for some socializing... although full on play may be frowned upon

 

[Brittany]

If you haven't been taking him to any puppy or obedience classes, that too can provide a chance for some socializing... although full on play may be frowned upon

I didn't plan on taking him to puppy classes. I am home with him all day. I don't think he needs it. (Unless him becomes a terror). I have been training him my self. He knows sit, stay, come, down, speak, high five with both paws, leaved it, drop it, how to properly walk on a leash, heel, sits and wait for his food when I put his food bowl down until I tell him take and will leave food on his paws till I tell him take. I have been taking bones and pig ears away from him while he is eating them so he doesn't become aggressive (not that I could ever see him being aggressive but you never know). What we are working on is not trying to run up to people and sit a wait for people to greet him. Once we are in pet smart he needs lots of reminders to mind him manners. But he eventually remembers and does excellent. I grind his nails at home and doesn't care for it but is fine with it. When we go in pet smart I carry treats and get strangers to give him commands so he gets use to listening to everyone and not just family. If there is any other suggestions I would love to hear them.

 

[Brandie&Maggie]

I didn't plan on taking him to puppy classes. I am home with him all day. I don't think he needs it. (Unless him becomes a terror).

Just a suggestion...

It sounds like you are doing a GREAT job training him. Good for you!! However, I would say that training classes help a ton, because you get him to pay attention to you with lots more distractions than at home. It's a fun bonding experience too. He may not need puppy classes. With all the work you've done, perhaps you can go to a more advanced class. It's great for their brain and for socialization and teaches him to pay attention and work even with more distractions.

I would recommend group classes for anyone, even experienced trainers.

Just my 2 cents....

 

[Brittany]

I will look into petsmarts classes next time we go.

 

[Jeannie]

I didn't plan on taking him to puppy classes. I am home with him all day. I don't think he needs it. (Unless him becomes a terror). I have been training him my self. He knows sit, stay, come, down, speak, high five with both paws, leaved it, drop it, how to properly walk on a leash, heel, sits and wait for his food when I put his food bowl down until I tell him take and will leave food on his paws till I tell him take. I have been taking bones and pig ears away from him while he is eating them so he doesn't become aggressive (not that I could ever see him being aggressive but you never know). What we are working on is not trying to run up to people and sit a wait for people to greet him. Once we are in pet smart he needs lots of reminders to mind him manners. But he eventually remembers and does excellent. I grind his nails at home and doesn't care for it but is fine with it. When we go in pet smart I carry treats and get strangers to give him commands so he gets use to listening to everyone and not just family. If there is any other suggestions I would love to hear them.

If your puppy is this well trained at 5 months of age you are doing things right. Unless you plan to compete for an obedience title you don't really need obedience classes. There are many ways to socialize him some you are already doing like taking him to Petsmart. Don't forget you can take him to the park or any place people tend to hang out.

I never took my Chase or Adam to any obedience classes. They both are therapy dogs and both have their Draft Dog titles. I don't care for any other titles because these are the ones that to me are the most rewarding and fun. Many times when we do a therapy visit kids end up getting a ride in the wagon pulled by either Chase or Adam.

 

[TerriW]

I didn't plan on taking him to puppy classes. I am home with him all day. I don't think he needs it. (Unless him becomes a terror). I have been training him my self. He knows sit, stay, come, down, speak, high five with both paws, leaved it, drop it, how to properly walk on a leash, heel, sits and wait for his food when I put his food bowl down until I tell him take and will leave food on his paws till I tell him take. I have been taking bones and pig ears away from him while he is eating them so he doesn't become aggressive (not that I could ever see him being aggressive but you never know). What we are working on is not trying to run up to people and sit a wait for people to greet him. Once we are in pet smart he needs lots of reminders to mind him manners. But he eventually remembers and does excellent. I grind his nails at home and doesn't care for it but is fine with it. When we go in pet smart I carry treats and get strangers to give him commands so he gets use to listening to everyone and not just family. If there is any other suggestions I would love to hear them.

May I drop a couple of MY dogs off at your house, then? :angel: