best time to buy a second dog

[ilovemarkb]

We bought a beautiful cavalier king charles pup last week. He.s brought so much love fun happiness not to mention masses wee and pooh! after much contemplation we.ve decided we.d like another pup, but arent sure if they would fight. Would it be better to get the same breed? Thought it would be easier to do double toilet training now rather than getting oscar clean then starting again. Toilet training isnt going too well! His favourite place is on the carpet. He doesnt like newspaper or the training pads. Our vet told us to simply shout at him whilst he weeing then move him to the correct area. He.s afraid when we shout and ends up holding it in, his tummy looks like it will burst.

[lankeela]

Please do not shout at him. He physically cannot hold it in and needs to go when HE needs to go. He will not understand. Ignore any wrong doing and put him in the right place, if you are not quick enough to stop him. You must let him out (and stay out with him until he has been and give LOTS of praise) every time he wakes up, every time he has eaten and frequently whilst playing or even just lying around with you. This may take days or weeks, or even months. If he is not clean during the night consider putting him in a crate so you can at least restrict where he goes and give him paper or pads to wee on.

As to getting another dog, I would wait until he is a little older, otherwise you will find it difficult to house train two dogs at the same time, they will be more interested in each other than listening to what you are trying to teach them.

They would also play with each other and would bond very quickly, and you may find you are left out of the equation and they would rather be together than with you!

Cavaliers would probably not fight, although two males of any breed(s) could fight when they get mature and one wants to be 'top dog' - it would be better to get a dog and a bitch and have one or both of them neutered.

[drgnrdr]

That's why alot of vets are not accredited trainers...geesh...see what happens when you shout....stop doing it if you haven't already.
This is a long answer and not enough room here so go to:
http://hssv.org/docs/behavior/dog_housetrainin g.pdf
also
http://orangedog.forumup.com/index.php?mforum= orangedog go to Behavior then Potty training, and there is alot of info for you there.
As for getting another dog, you should train the first one, potty training and basic manners, socializing etc.. so they are managable, so you can devote more time to train potty/manners, socializing the second one. It doesn't mean that the first dog will teach manners to the second dog, they will learn good and sometimes bad from each other(ie..second dog dig, 1st dog will see it and not say mom doesn't like that, they will actually start to dig and say hey that's fun) but it will be easier on you because the 1st one will be managable, and sometimes when they go out to pee the 2nd one will follow and copy. It's usually best to get one of the opposite sex, less challenges. If he is of good breeding (mom/dad had excellent temperment) )and he's socialized properly he won't fight her. Make sure one is fixed unless you plan on showing them, when they get abit older. I hope that helps you a bit..
P.S. Hey Lankeela I already typed this when you got your's on first. LOL ~/:\~

[ilovemarkb]

Thanks for your replies.Feel terribly guilty for shouting at our oscar, hes just a baby. I.ve been on th e hyperlink and got some good tips. You.ve both changed my mind regarding a second dog for the time being. Exactly how long do you think i should leave it before getting a second dog?

[lankeela]

I'd wait until the first one is at least six months, probably nearer a year. If you are getting a bitch puppy next this would not be so bad, but if you get another male, do as drgnrdr recommends and have one of them 'fixed' (Americaspeak for castration!). You can have them done from six months onwards. Of ocourse if you do get a bitch next, you will either have to have her spayed or she will have seasons twice a year, which may upset the male even if he has been done.

Please do not contemplate breeding from them, as you would have to keep them both entire, and I can guarantee that a dog worth his salt will find a way of getting to her, and if he doesn't, she sure as h*ll will get to him!

Please do enrol at a training class, you will have lots of fun and so will your dog, and you will learn lots and be able to chat with other puppy owners and discuss problems. You will be able to tell them all about house training which yu will have mastered by then!

[drgnrdr]

It's alright many don't know what could happen if you yelled, but you are willing to do the right thing and that is to be applauded...so...{{applause}}. Dogs live in the moment so he'll forgive much quicker. I agree about the 6 months to a yr, depending on when/how long it takes you to get your little guy trained with manners. The one thing is you can get a dog "fixed" much earlier than 6 months, some females are known to go into heat as early as 5 months, I got my big girl done at 13 weeks, it didn't stunt her growth or make her anyless protective, as you can see on the links I gave (her pic is my signature on the Orangedog website), she is completely filled out, dogs don't need their "bits" (I think you all call them..LOL) to fill out, that comes from genetics and a healthy lifestyle. Good Luck on your potty training...please tell us how it's going would you..so often advice is given and those that give advice have no clue if our troubleshooting techniques helped or not.....~/:\~