Hello

I've been reading the forum since I got my 1st dog 4 years ago and have gathered invaluable advice from other posts. So I'm hoping all you knowledgeable folk will be able to help me!

I currently own a 4 year old Bolognese.  I fully admit we didn't socialise him with other dogs as well as we should (and he wasn't from the best breeder, which I would now do very differently) so although he's great with and loves to meet people (comes to work with us every day) he is pretty wary of dogs.  He loves to sleep, often staying in bed long past when we're up and about and doesn't really like going out for walks especially in bad weather!  He can also be a bit shy in new environments until he's used to them.

I would love to add another dog to our house but don't want to do anything to upset our current one.  I guess my question is, do you think having a canine companion would help bring him out of himself or is it just a recipe for disaster?

Any advice much appreciated.  Thanks in advance. 

A bitch might be a choice for you, opposites usually get on. I had the same dilema with a GSd bitch that was dog agressive on lead but fine off. We decided on the opposite sex and an older dog that was no longer required by the breeder. We made sure that the introduction was done away from the house and in a disused tennis court, so we could let our bitch off lead without any problems. I was a nervous wreck but all worked out well and they became the best of pals. The bitch was always alpha but the dog was submissive and did not challenge her position. Unfortunately it did not help with agression to other dogs and did not change my GSD atall.

i agree with the other post but it could be quite difficult if your dog is quite nervous and doesn't really like other dogs. he could get on with another dog but you may have to be prepared to do a lot of hard work over a number os weeks or months.
i tried to introduce a puppy into my house but my second dog(i have three) didn't like it at all and just wanted to attack it. luckily the breeder let me have the pup for a few days to see if i could sort this out but i was too worried things could gets nasty so took the pup back. The breeder asked if i wanted to try an older bitch he was going to keep for breeding but decided not to. she was six months old and already bigger than my other girl and this made a big difference as a lot of dogs don't like bouncy puppies, especially if their nervous around other dogs.
because my new dog was a bit older she was easier to train and i could stop her trying to jump on the other one etc. i have to say though it has taken a long time for everything to settle down and for the first few weeks i had to use dog gates so they could have time apart and let them out into the garden at different times. also lots of walks together but not being able to touch, so they got used to each other. 
if your prepared for a lot of hard work then things can work out but you can't rush things they have to get used to each other on their terms.
i still sleep my in separate places  but apart from that they are now pretty good friends and have lots of rough and tumbles together.
we did have one little fight but that actually seemed to sort things out and now my new dog is top dog but thats fine as long as the other dog accepts it.
you now your dog best but i would think very carefully before getting another unless your prepared for the work involved and don't forget it's like having a new baby again, sleepless nights and out in a cold garden every hour or so.
saying all this dogs can suprise you and he maybe fine but just don't try and bring a pup or dog home and think your just be able to bring it in the house and thats that.
hope things work out for you.

Thank you both for replying and sharing your experiences.
I was wondering if a slighter older dog would be better, calmer and less intense for him.  But if the other dog would be bigger than him do you think it would be better to get a puppy so originally he's bigger, and maybe less intimidated?
He is no way agressive to other dogs, more insanely submissive, flat on the floor tail tucked between his legs. 
I am definitely prepared to put the work in and remember well the early days out in the cold at all hours, every hour!
I'm very lucky that we run our own business so I can take as much time at home as needed and when do go in can take the dog with me.  I would also make sure he had his own space and could get away from any puppy/dog when he wanted.
I actually think the new dog would probably adopt top dog and maybe that would help him? I've read before that a dog and a bitch is probably the best mix so would definitely be looking for a girl.
Thanks for your input, you've given me things to think about.

Hi

We added a puppy when our dog was a similar age to yours but our older dog is a very confident, secure chap so we had no concerns from that perspective.  However, puppies completely disrupt the household whatever you do so need a bit of working around!  We found the judicious use of baby gates, time outs, and 1:1 attention eased the transition but new pups can be stressful for any existing dog.

Do you have friends with dogs - how is your boy with them?  Are there any dogs he has got to know over time?  This can be a good indicator of how adaptable he might be.

If you really have no knowledge of how he'll cope, can you talk to your local rescue centre?  The good ones will help you assess the possibility of a new dog and can assist with introductions.  They'll help you to decide whether it's age, sex or disposition that matters most in your case.  I can see how a puppy could work but equally why an older dog may be sensible too :)   If you would prefer to go to a breeder then it may just require careful planning about breed choice and looking for the best temperament.

Incidentally I have two boys.  The eldest is a neutered rescue mutt and the youngest an entire pedigree.  It works very well for us.  I'm not convinced we have a 'top dog'  (other than me) but they appear to have developed quite defined roles and their own set of rules around toys and food.  Good luck with your decision making :)

Hey
Thank you for replying.
I think you're right and a chat with our local rescues and a couple of breeders will help.  Unfortunately the only friends we've got with a dog have an extremely bouncy enthusiastic Newfoundland who overwhelms our little monkey completely (and all the other dogs in the park!).  We don't tend to see many dogs when out as live in the sticks and don't come across alot of other people. If we do meet other dogs who try to interact with him on walks he clamps his tail down as they sniff him and trys to pretend that they're not there!  Or lies flat on the floor until they go away.

I have a Tibetan terrier in mind (but equally happy with a cross) but will be doing a lot more research before commiting to a decision as I only want to do what's best for him, and any other dog we took on.  It is good to hear how others have worked around the problems though. 
We've got a decent sized house so there's no issue with being able to give them both time apart if we do go ahead.

I guess there's always pros and cons with everything! Ah so many things to think about.  Thanks again for your help.

> He loves to sleep, often staying in bed long past when we're up and about and doesn't really like going out for walks especially in bad weather! 

Just had to reply to say he sounds exactly the same as my Coton de Tulear bitch! Her bed or the armchair are her favourite places. We had a similar dilemma as although she was well socialised she was quite spoilt, getting all our attention, and was a bit frightened of bigger dogs and boisterous dogs. We were hoping to get a Golden Retriever but ended up getting a Papillon as our second dog who is well matched for her size. We got a boy, both are neutered and it seems to work well - she just tells him off if he gets too playful! On the whole I think having another dog around has worked well for her but I'm glad we got another small breed. Good luck whatever you decide.    

the last dog i introduced was a TT so it's funny you said your thinking of getting one. as per my other post for you it took along time to get things to where we are now.
the size difference was my min schnauzer accepting the TT and as i said the TT was already bigger than her as she was six months old.
i think if i'd just got a larger breed pup there still would of been a problem as pups can't control their behaviour very well and it's the bouncing around some dogs can't cope with.
As for my TT she is adorable and has come on leaps and bounds because i take her to training classes every week. she learns very quickly as she is food orientated and this has helped with controlling her around my nervous schnauzer.
the other good thing in getting a slightly older dog is we could burn off a lot of her energy with walking and training, this wouldn't of been possible with a pup as they have so many weeks at home before they can go out then you have to limit exercise.
if you can keep the new dog as calm as possible this really helps as they get used to being around each other without the new dog constantly wanting to play.
in an ideal world you would adopt a dog and take yours out to meet it on walks for a couple of weeks so they get chance to get used to each other without the stress of bringing the new one home, maybe a rescue center would be able to help with this.
it would also be a benefit to take your dog to some good training classes before getting the new one, not so much for training but getting him used to being around other dogs in a safe place and even if he only sits and watches them he will soon calm down and over time will get excited to be around them. it's amazing how many dogs come to my training class that will sit and be nervous for a couple of weeks and then slowly come out of themselves with no pressure to join in.      

We looked at Cotons before deciding on the Bolognese - absoloutely gorgeous :)
He'd spend his whole life on our bed if allowed I think,  he has to sleep in another room at night though as for someone so small he snores like a jet plane!

Your advice makes alot of sense.  You're very right about the training classes and I'll see if there are any good ones around us - any reccomendations for someone in the Durham/Tyne and Wear area much appreciated but will do some searching online.  I do think he'd love to run and play with other dogs just hasnt got the confidence (entirely my fault!).
Once I'm home (away for a few weeks until Christmas) I'm going to apply myself to looking into the rescues.  And contact some TT breeders to see if any have an older dog.  If I'm really lucky, and I'm normally not, maybe there'll be a breeder in our area, with an older dog who'll let us do just what you suggest about a few weeks walking together...I know in an ideal world...!

I am fully prepared that it will be a slow process, getting him ready and also getting them to be friends.  That's why I'm so lucky to be able to take as much time off work as needed to supervise and monitor them, if we go ahead.  

I have fallen in love with TT's they just seem such amazing dogs, full of character - I bet you never regreted adding yours to the family. 

i don't regret getting my TT for a minute but there were times in the first few weeks when i wondered what i'd done. luckily things have worked out and although i love my other two dogs to bits i have a special bond with my TT as i've had to do so much training and bonding with her.
When i got her she had lived in kennels and at 6 months wasn't house trained or used to being on a lead or traffic etc in fact she was afraid of most things so it has taken me a lot of time and energy to bring her out of herself. thankfully things like the house training were pretty easy as she could hold her bladder longer than a pup, although we did get a few accidents.
the first few training classes she would just shake but i would sit calmly and just let her take it in, not fussing her too much as this made her worst. after a few times she was following the other dogs round and getting treats for her good relaxed behaviour and now a few months on she is the best trained of all my three, she loves other dogs but is still a bit nervous of some people(still working on that) and i think she will always be a bit that way inclined. anyway there's no way i would of achieved this with out the training classes and it also means i get to meet other people.
My TT is quite clever though and she needs a certain amount of stimulation during the day other wise she gets restless,don't know if thats a TT thing or just my dog. saying that as long as she gets one good walk a day and some play time she is very happy.
hope you find the right dog for your family.