Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi everyone. I'm planning on adding a second dog to my household, either a gsd or perhaps a dobe depending on which breed gets along with other dogs better. My current dog is a mostly sheperd mix. He's about 2.5 years old. He plays with other dogs at the offleash park and likes MOST of them. He doesn't seem to like dogs that are pushy in their play and get right in his face, nor does he like wrestling games. He's more into the chase/running games. He sometimes gets aggitated when dogs, especially young bold dogs innitiate play instead he prefers to initiate it himself in a more subtle manner. I figured a pup rather than a rescue/shelter dog like he is, would be best so that they could grow together and bond rather than two large dogs facing off. But now i'm not so sure. This is because the other day we were the only ones at the park and a very young lab pup of about 12 weeks came in. The pup naturally was very bouncy and climbing on my dog and my dog didn't take to it to well. He didn't hurt it but scared the pup by growling at it and knocking it over and showing some teeth, didn't hurt the pup though, she kept coming back for more. Only a day later, he was kinda rough on a 4 month old rotty puppy aswell. Could this be his prey drive clicking in, considering the young bouncy pups as prey? So now i'm confused as to which is my best route. THe other interesting thing is that he seems to get along better with males! I don't know if i'd call him dominant..he can be..but he's also submissive when an extremely dominant dog overpowers him. I know that goes against norms but is this possible or just a coincidence? I know i've asked alot of questions here but any input would be appreciated. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

I mentioned that he seems to get along better with males because most people recommend gettin another dog of the opposite sex, which was my plan, but if for whatever reason he seems to prefer other males, would i be better off getting a male instead.

>>I mentioned that he seems to get along better with males because most people recommend gettin another dog of the opposite sex, which was my plan, but if for whatever reason he seems to prefer other males, would i be better off getting a male instead.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Many dogs get along fine with same-sex dogs in the dog park but not at home as a pack. At home, one of them would have to be top dog and the other bottom dog. That's kind of rough on the bottom dog. When your second dog is a female, he's top male and she's top female. I would not recommend a puppy with this dog. Better to get an adult female who could put him in his place as a boy who had better be nice to her if he wants her to flirt and play with him!
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com

a few things to consider:

Dobe's have an abbreviated lifespan because of the cardio myopathy running rampant in the breed.

There are two "variations" of GSD's: The European (german, czech, etc) and American. Look into both types and see which you prefer.

What do you want to do with your new dog?

Will this be a pet or a working dog?

Why did you decide on these two breeds?

What attracts you to these breeds?

Just giving you some questions to ask yourself (and perhaps reply with the answers for us to see) to help you make the decision.
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Lesya & Sophie

A Dog Owner's Prayer

Author unknown
Thanks to Pattie Lawler
http://www.behaviour-problems.freeserve.co.uk/2/Poems/dogownerpray.htm

both from german working lines as i prefer the structure and drive present in these lines. I choose these breeds for their intelligence, companionship, and owrking ability. Also because i had one of each growing up but at seperate times.

Do you plan on working the dog in something such as Schutzhund?? The reason I ask, is because the german working lines come with higher drives and a much higher need to work than "american lines," therefore they'll need to be more than just a companion. Just playing devil's advocate! We all need it to make sure we've thought everything through before making a long-term investment like this.
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Lesya & Sophie

A Dog Owner's Prayer

Author unknown
Thanks to Pattie Lawler
http://www.behaviour-problems.freeserve.co.uk/2/Poems/dogownerpray.htm

yes i do plan to work my dogs. i realize the higher drives in the european dogs as i've had them in the past.

It certanly sounds like what your dog was doing to the pups was NORMAL dog behavior!!! The lifted lip, the low growl, the showing of teeth are all warning signs to a pup (or another dog) to back off! They just say "leave me alone"- they are not signs of agression until taken further. Even snapping is a stronger warning - as long as it doesn't connect or cause injury. THEN you would need to worry. I used to get concerned when one of my dogs did these exact same things. My trainer would always say, "Don't reprimand him for that- he is jst telling the other dog to leave him alone." He did this esp. when some other dog got in his face. He STILL does these same behaviors and I do not stop him. My BC is a lover, not a fighter and whenever possible he will leave these situations once his feelings have been understood. He has NEVER been in a fight- he makes his wishes known and now that I understand the reasons for these behaviors, I give him some space so he doesn't feel trapped and tell the owner of the other dog to just take their dog away, please. And mind you- this same dog lives very well with 2 other dogs that were introduced as puppies- one being introduced just 4 months ago. So, let your dog be the judgeof who he can get along with- it might even be easier with a puppy cuz then they can more easily establish their own "pecking order." There are no set rules when dealing with animals!
Nancy

Thanks for the advice fullottermoon. Even with younger dogs that are not tiny pups, i.e 1 year olds, it almost seems that my dog see's that the young dogs can't and won't stand up for themselves so it's fun for him to push them around and be a jerk. For example today, when i arrived at the park there was an older dog he knows who can handle herself, my dog whined and did everything he could to get her to chase him. Then two other dogs came who play pretty rough and are tough customers aswell, he played very nicely with them aswell, even got into a submissive stance. But then a younger dog came in and his hackles went up and he gave a little growl and nip, nothin that hurt the pup. After that the younger dog didn't push the issue of playing with my dog and they were just fine. It's as if he's enjoying puttin the dogs that he can handle in their place but dogs that will stand up to, he respects and wants to be friends with. Basically he's like a bully on the playground. He's a very sweet dog however, loves everyone, especially kids. I just worry how that poor pup would feel with my dog bullying him around, or will my dog just get used to her over time and bond, while the pup learns how to play with my dog without pissing him off. I have no doubt he'd never really harm a pup, more that the pup would grow up to resent my current dog and instead do harm to him. But most of my worry comes from how hard it would be on the poor puppy if my dog is always bullying him.

If i were you i would go with another male puppy. It's anyones guess how they will get along. I myself own two male shepherd from the same litter. They both are extremely dominate and just last week got in a huge fight. Took everything i had to pull them apart. I believe it was testosterone built up in their systems as they both started marking couple days after their fight. It sounds to me you dog isn't extremely dominate. To me it would be a hard decision to pick the extremely dominate or the extremely submissive. No matter their demeanor all german shepherds are great dogs and would probably get along sooner than later.
good luck
and keep us updated

I agree with Nancy, your dog is exhibiting perfectly normal dog behavior..LEAVE ME ALONE..I also never reprimand my adult dogs when they are letting a puppy know enough is enough (barring blood of course).

As for your choices, that is entirely up to you..Gender, again, I have 2 males and 2 females, one aussie of each, one gsd of each. I have no problems and they all live together..I do think 2 males get along better than multiple females, (in fact I'll never have multiple females again LOL),,

When you decide on who your getting your dog/puppy from, I'd go with temperament vs anything else..KNOW what you want to live with, even working dogs have to be able to LIVE in your home. If you think your current dog is more comfortable with more submissive dogs,,then go for that type..Very pushy, alpha type puppies can grow into just that, pushy, and do you want to deal with two dogs vying for top positions?

Right now I have a very alpha female, I could not bring in another very pushy alpha female without having problems,,I also have an alpha male, she "rules" the roost , It's just happened that way, at one point I had 3 males and 1 female, they all got along well, in fact the males got along better than when you threw the female into the mix.

GO with your gut, KNOW what you want to live with and what your current dog can live with comfortably. and stick to it..A good breeder will match a puppy to your current lifestyle.