New brother or sister for Penny????

Kari · May 25, 2007, 12:38:31 PM

So Drew and I have been playing with the idea of getting Penny a brother or sister for a while now and just can't decide what to do! :verdict: We had originally decided to not get another doxie because of all that Penny went through and not knowing whether she would like another dog - she is the queen bee you know!! Also Mr. Tucker the C-A-T would probably not be overjoyed.

We keep revisiting the idea since we are gone a lot during the day and think she would really like someone to hang out with. What is everyone else's experience with adding another pupper??

Leslie · May 25, 2007, 02:43:07 PM

NEVER name yer pet Loki (The Norse trickster God) name it Daisy or Sweetums or sumthin'.

I will say, as well as my two get along, one is easier to tote around. Also Zuzu has developed a bit of seperation anxiety whenever Loki gets to go to the vet without her. She HOWLS!!!!!!!

That said, we got Loki on Petfinder.com. We visited her in her foster home, then took Zuzu to meet her. They chased each other and have been companions ever since. I was able to get some behavioral information from Foster mom and also some vet records. Loki had had an x-ray when she was found as a sick lost doggie in Staten Island. We lookied at the x-rays that showed a partial spine and decided to roll the dice. Eventually, she did develop spondylosis and had a few rough weeks.

I do think they keep each other company during the day even if Zuzu is more attached to Loki than vice versa. Even though they almost NEVER cuddle, they are usually within a few feet of one another. Whether that's because they are always near ME I dunno.

Loki is a hoot to have around, but sometimes a royal pain. Her behavior would most likey be a little better if we had raised her from a pup but she's definately got her own personality.

IMHO, however, Penny's health issues sound like I would wait a bit until they resolve until I thought of another dog.

Barb · May 25, 2007, 04:15:10 PM

How is Penny when she is around other dogs?

I made the decision to get a second pupper for the same reason - Rudy was alone all day and I thought he needed a companion to keep him company. Although I know they sleep the majority of the time - I feel better knowing they have each other. Mine don't cuddle together either - but if one is not in sight - they bark to make sure they know where each other is. Taking one to the vet and leaving the other at home is hard - the one at home is very anxious until we get home. I LOVE having 2 though - they are a hoot !!! Although Brandy is almost double Rudy's age - they still get the wild hairs and do the zoomies together all over the house - I love it ! Brandy is a cuddler and is happy to curl up by me with a blankie while I throw toys for Rudy.

Brandy is much slower on our walks than Rudy - she wants to smell everything at great length - LOL !!! But if I leave her at home - I can her her barking all the way around the block !!! LOL !!!!

As Les says - one is easier to carry around than 2 - but I honestly don't think I will ever just have one again - it sure is nice to be the middle part of a doxie sandwich when they are both snuggling with me !!!

If you choose to start looking, hopefully you will be able to get Penny and the prospective sibling together to see how they do together - my guess is they will adapt just fine. I agree with Leslie - I would wait a little - just to give Penny time to get over this ear thing !

Let us know how it goes...of course we would love to have another kidlet in our Weiner Writings family !!!

Kari · May 25, 2007, 05:06:39 PM

When Penny is around my parent's beagle Molly (her BFF) she loves it and tries to get her to play and loves to be chased around. When she is around other dogs at the dog park she is just so-so. I think it is a bit overwhelming at the park for her.

Being able to watch her on the camera when we are at work we can see that she sleeps a lot of the time, but also is staring at the gate or in the back door just waiting for someone to come home. It is a really hard decision - we think that after the initial get to know each other period she would really enjoy a friend. But she is the center of attention at the moment and I wonder if it will change her personality a ton if we get another pupper. We love to take her with us a lot of places in her car seat and would have to train the new puppy in a car seat as well!

We wouldn't be looking at getting one immediately and we would want to get a puppy. We have some wonderful breeders here in San Diego that are the presidents of the Dachshund club and we've talked with them about bringing Penny with us to meet some of their puppies and they are more than happy to have her come! We want to give Penny ample time to heal up - her ears are looking better already and she seems to be doing well on the new food. And not eating her poop all the time!!!!!

Just want to make the right decision for us and for Penny (and Mr. Tucker too!)

Delia and girls · May 25, 2007, 07:38:16 PM

As with everything, there's good and bad with adding another pup. In my opinion, the major con is that you need two sets of arms to conveniently take them places. Another big one is that you can't possibly give two the attention you can just one. I love my two girls more than anything, but I'm not sure I'd get two if I had it to do over. I probably say that because I know I can't change it and take a lot of the pro's of having two for granted.

The pro's are...they do have fun together and enjoy each other's company. Mine are very close in age (5 months apart) so they are never far apart from each other. When they were young, they'd play until they'd drop dead! It's fun to see their different personalities too. Gretchen is always in trouble and Ilsa is always slinking around while Gretchen gets a talking... "I TOLD her she'd get in trouble. She wouldn't listen!" Ilsa's my little velcro puppy and such a lovey little girl. Gretchen is my little head strong puppy that has to do what she wants. If it means she gets in trouble with me and Ron, so be it.

Brekkesmom · May 25, 2007, 08:33:13 PM

I personally think that two are great company, but I do believe Brekke is happier being an only furkid as opposed to being one of three, and then one of four for the brief time I had Sorcha. She does get to play with her niece, Mocha, who was collected by Delia and me when I was in Texas almost 4 years ago. I do agree that Ilsa is Delia's velcro girl, but say what? about Gretchen? She was so precious doing her very maternal watch over Mocha - who was about 10 or 11 weeks old when we were at Ron and Delia's! She stayed with Mocha - who was passed from person to person - and kept a very strict watch over whoever was holding her!

Well, Mr. Tucker - you may just have to become a dachsie wannabe! Time to practice the l@@k, you cute feline, you!

papbouv · May 25, 2007, 11:19:53 PM

Just do not do what I did have a Doxie & a Doberman have to be careful that Buddy(Dobe) does not hurt Patches( Doxie) also did not realise Dobes take forever & ever to grow up some say 4 years,. Also they are 4 months apart in age, so they really want to play but the size difference is a major worry on my part.Have had Bouviers & a Papillon worked out great just the first year I had to be careful then the Bouviers protected the Papillon.Guess Bouviers are smarter than Dobes.
Good luck in makeing your desicion.
papbouv

Dee Dee and Hallie · May 26, 2007, 12:04:32 AM

Half of me wants to hear you are going to get one and half of me is worried LOL. I am not a good one to give advice as I do not have any desire for another dog, I had 2 dogs at the same time once for 4 years and I loved them both with all my heart but the multiple dogs wasnt' for me. It depends on your lifestyle though, I take Hallie with me everywhere...and I couldn't if I had 2 dogs. I am fortunate enough to work at home though so she is never alone. It would be harder if I worked in an office away from home. Delia had some great insight. (LOL and I loved Julia's comments on Gretchen...she was so good with Mocha!). My biggest worry (or maybe just my "first" worry) would be Penny playing and hurting herself...I am a total psycho about Hallie playing with other dogs, my Jessie blew her back twice while playing with another dog so I am a freak about it now. On the other hand it would be nice for Penny to have a buddy during the day (does Tucker stay out with her?).

The bottom line is...either way you go it will work out! And there will be some pros and some cons on both sides. Maybe you should make a list of pros and cons to see which side is heavier.

Barb · May 26, 2007, 11:13:13 AM

Good girl Penny - no poop eating :thumb:

I am sure they would adapt to each other fine. She will just have to share the center of attention.......but moms and dads always have tons of love to give !!!

Let us know how it goes - it would be fun to watch 2 of them on Penny and Sibling Cam......would you crate the little one at first, do you think?

Kari · May 26, 2007, 11:49:50 AM

We would for sure crate train the new puppy as Penny is crate trained and it came in very handy! Mr. Tucker is an inside only cat so he doesn't stay out there with her. We occasionaly let him roam around the backyard but that is all.

We do need to do a pro/con list!! Like I said - I think she would love to have a friend but it is hard to say how she will react to not being the center of attention. You all have given me a lot to think about! We'll have to see - it isn't something that we are gong to rush into. We will probably make a trip up to the breeder just so we can see how Penny does with the puppies (although I know it will be different when the puppy comes home).

Barb · May 26, 2007, 01:03:27 PM

Quote from: Kari on May 26, 2007, 11:49:50 AM
- it isn't something that we are gong to rush into. We will probably make a trip up to the breeder just so we can see how Penny does with the puppies (although I know it will be different when the puppy comes home).

You mean it is going to STAY??????

LUVMYGUNNER · May 26, 2007, 04:24:05 PM

I love having 2 its a little more work, but they do keep each other company. We had Gunner for 2 years when we added Petunia a little rescue. One for the hubby and one for me.

TerriL · May 26, 2007, 06:16:13 PM

Hummm....I remember having one dog. I think. We brought Oscy home when Buelah was about a year old. Sadly, she thought he was her personal chew toy. Hence, Oscy's unique ears. Actually they got along really well from the start. Toby came along almost two years later and Bea a year after that. I have really never had any significant issues. A little jealousy from time to time but for the most part they get along famously.
I'm with DeeDee on the lifestyle issue. You need to decide what is best for your family and your lifestyle. Good luck with whatever decision you make...and I think Penny will make a great hoosissy!

Kari · May 26, 2007, 06:47:13 PM

Quote from: Barb on May 26, 2007, 01:03:27 PM
You mean it is going to STAY??????

LOL!!

Kari · May 26, 2007, 06:51:33 PM

So....I think we have come to a decision. Penny is going to stay an only pupper. We went up to the breeder (who might I say had the cutest puppies alive - I fell in love with a black and tan wirehair female)!!! Penny was, to say the least, not at all happy about the puppies. They had a huge xpen set up and we got in there with Penny and one of the puppies and she could not get away from it fast enough!! So after a few minutes of that it was clear to us that we are going to stay a 1 dachshund family! I am actually really happy about our decision - we just want her to be happy! As much as I wanted to take a puppy home we felt good with our decision. Thanks for everyone's input - it was extremely helpful!!