[Okeedoke22]

Hello all,

We are thinking about adopting a 2nd dog. My wife thinks I'm crazy. She said we got really lucky with our puppy and lets not push it just yet. She absolutely adores our little guy as we all do. We have had him 5 months now and he really is just a great dog. He always slept through the night and not a barker at all. So yes we have had it easy.

I initially thought no puppy again but now I could go either way. I prefer to know the size fully grown as I like for him to be maybe a little bigger then my Cooper or the same size. Cooper is the size of a corgi. A little taller. Actually love Corgi's.

Cooper hasn't met anyone he doesn't like but I also socialized him like crazy, though I think it was just in his DNA. I like for our 2nd dog to also have those same characteristics as Cooper has.

There are a few pure breeds I would go for. Greyhounds, Corgi and my all time love English Bulldog. Though after being in this forum I do worry about the breeding issues. So I think a mutt is for me. Maybe a Corgi/Hound type dog. Doesn't matter really just that he loves dogs and people.

My 1 worry is if they are both sleeping in my bed will they be up all night playing. I know this could be solved with a crate but Cooper sleeps with us at night. He will sleep in the crate during the day sometimes but mostly when he is really tired and doesn't want us bothering him. Also Cooper has a lot of training left. Especially on re-call with other dogs around.

What do you guys think? I feel my dog would absolutely love a friend.

Thank you

 

[jagger]

Cooper hasn't met anyone he doesn't like but I also socialized him like crazy, though I think it was just in his DNA. I like for our 2nd dog to also have those same characteristics as Cooper has.

Only you can answer this question, but do you really believe it's in his DNA or the fact that you socialized him like crazy?

Heavy socialization, letting the dog be a dog and letting them experience everything is more likely what gave you a happy and balanced dog. Raise the second dog the same way, and you shouldn't have any issues.

 

[wideturn]

Only you can answer this question, but do you really believe it's in his DNA or the fact that you socialized him like crazy?

Heavy socialization, letting the dog be a dog and letting them experience everything is more likely what gave you a happy and balanced dog. Raise the second dog the same way, and you shouldn't have any issues.

I want to agree, but some dogs are going to have a more social personality, while others may not. My dog was socialized like crazy, too. I worked at a book store where I was allowed to bring him every day. He was exposed positively to all sorts of adults and children. One day, he was suddenly afraid of children and now avoids them at all cost. With strange adults, he ducks away from hands trying to pet him. I think it's just who he is, and I'm sure he'd have been worse had he not been socialized. The way you raise them is very important, but you can't erase their breeding, either.

 

[jagger]

I want to agree, but some dogs are going to have a more social personality, while others may not. My dog was socialized like crazy, too. I worked at a book store where I was allowed to bring him every day. He was exposed positively to all sorts of adults and children. One day, he was suddenly afraid of children and now avoids them at all cost. With strange adults, he ducks away from hands trying to pet him. I think it's just who he is, and I'm sure he'd have been worse had he not been socialized. The way you raise them is very important, but you can't erase their breeding, either.

So your dog suddenly changed, but it has to be breeding...? No chance at all that someone was kicking or mistreating the dog at all? The dog all of a sudden just changed and became withdrawn?

 

[wideturn]

So your dog suddenly changed, but it has to be breeding...? No chance at all that someone was kicking or mistreating the dog at all? The dog all of a sudden just changed and became withdrawn?

The vet said his 'full personality' wouldn't emerge until he matured. He was with me 90% of the time and no one mistreated him.

 

[Okeedoke22]

I believe my dog was friendly by nature. Socializing him just reinforced his good behavior. He is a curious dog without much fear at all. He does whine in the car and won't just jump right in. Put a treat in and he is jumping in though. I think 2 dogs is a great number. Well if I hit the lotto and get a bigger house then 4 sounds better. Lol. He really just loves other dogs and it would be great to see him get a brother.

Summer for us is hectic with kids sports so wouldn't do it now but maybe September. He comes with us to most of the games and practices and we are lucky he is so social cause he just soaks up all the attention. A new dog would need time to get settled with us so winter is a much better time. Patience ugh!

 

[travelingswift]

So your dog suddenly changed, but it has to be breeding...? No chance at all that someone was kicking or mistreating the dog at all? The dog all of a sudden just changed and became withdrawn?

This is actually very normal for a well-socialized dog to become aloof at 1-2 years for many breeds -- with either people, dogs, or both.

OP - getting a 1.5-2 year old rescue dog that already exhibits the outgoing personality that you're looking for is obviously the "safest" way to go in terms of ensuring you have the social personality that you're hoping for in the dog. Getting a puppy is always a bit of a crapshoot, both from a shelter or from a breeder. Of course going through a breeder does reduce the uncertainty in many ways.

Maybe check out Cavalier King Charles Spaniels? They're known to be very social and friendly dogs and are a good size.

 

[wideturn]

This is actually very normal for a well-socialized dog to become aloof at 1-2 years for many breeds -- with either people, dogs, or both.

Yep, that's what happened with my pup!