As most of you know I have a Stafford bitch aged 14 months(where has time gone) She was not intended to be an "only" dog, but due to unfortunate circumstances we lost my older bitch Gyp just before we got Sal. Gyp was almost 8 and very certainly a "top dog"

Sal is very easy going and totally unphased by anything although I know she is not fully matured yet I don't believe she would have challenged for "top dog"

Any way the problem. My Uncle is having to go into "sheltered housing" he lost his wife last year. But he won't go because of his dog Tilly my uncle is 81 and really shouldn't be still in the house, but won't go for worrying about the dog. Which we all understand.

Tilly a spayed mongrel bitch, about size of B/C and slightly wider I think she has lab/boxer in her somewhere.
I am considering offering to take Tilly in but she is "grouchy with other dogs" and has history of attacking other bitches, she is just 10 and I know it might prove difficult to have the two in a house, Sal I think would accept her fine but Tilly is so "bossy"  my worry starts because about 5 years ago Tilly and Gyp meet and a tussle broke out...saved from all out war only because I picked Gyp up and threw her in the car. Gyp would have accepted Tilly...as I would not allow her to "have a go at other dogs" but Tilly just kept pushing...until Gyp reacted...which I suppose I worry might happen with Sal.

So do I take Tilly on or not?

Karen 

Hmmm difficult one Karen
poor Tilly is already going to be all over the place emotionally at losing her home and owner . :(
Like you I would really like to help if i was in that postition but cant offer any advice really .
Have they met each other and walked with each other ? Have they played off the lead together and if so how do they interact ?
If they havent walked and been taken out together you may want to try that and see how it goes .... Maybe have her over for short spells and see what happens
Are there any other members of the family that dont have a dog who could maybe help out ?

I know its nice trying to help Tilly out but at the end of the day you may end up making two dogs unhappy

That is a good point Lel...I think you are right.

      I will go over today and take Tilly for a walk to see what she's like out without my Uncle; I have a feeling some of it is about him..he's unsure of other dogs and I wonder if she picks that up? is that possible do you think?
      If she is reasonably okay...ie not trying to kill all other dogs I will take Sal over tomorrow, and take it from there get them to meet in the park? and speak to my other Uncle who has access to a enclosed field and let them have a run off lead together if the walk goes well.

   Karen

Due to your uncles age Tilly may not be as well socialised as Sal and that could be part of the reason for why she acts like that too .

You've hit the nail on the head....the dog does not meet others, and he holds the lead tighter when other dogs approach....she is okay off lead but ignores all other dogs then.

I will have to see what Tilly is like without "uncle"

Karen

Be careful if you take this dog on. I did the same thing and took on a 13 year old bitch but she kept attacking my little jack russell cross. These were unprovoked and she had to be pulled off. My little dog is male and 11 years old. We had to give her back after trying for a few weeks which wasnt fair on her or my own dog. 

Have been over to my uncles this afternoon and walked Tillt..boy does she hate other dogs. I think it must be a combination of her..my uncle and her upbringing.They had a JR when they got Tilly he died 4 years ago and he hated other dogs to with a JR passion.

I have spoken to the lady next door to my uncle and she is going to speak to her husband and see of they can offer Tilly a home they were worried about her but...because my uncle is ill and has first staged of dementia she didn't want to bother anyone :) but she saw me  go out with Tilly and spoke up. They it seems took illy in last year when my Aunt was in hospital and she was great, they lost there cat last year too..so want another animal and Tuilly seems just right.

So things may well work out for the best. Obviously we have said as a family (all of us and there are a lot)that we will continue to pay for Tilly's pet insurance, so they don't have to worry...as they are pensioners too. Albeit on;y in their 60's/70's.

Karen

Karen, if you can get the neighbours to take Tilly on, I do think that will be the answer to your prayers.

When Ade's mum died, we automatically brought her collie/corgie cross - Kip down here - after all, he knew us, he would be walked down to us almost every weekend, the kids loved him, he knew our others dogs (at that time we had Jet the lab with No Brain but Lots of Brawn, and Tramp, the Border Terrorist (yes, I HAVE spelled it correctly:D) who was the Mr Big of Dogs down here!

Sadly, once Kip realised that this was home, he and Tramp used to fight like - well - dogs!   Hardly a week went by without one or other of them at the vet's - ripped ears usually - but I was afraid that they would kill one another.   We had three years of absolute hell, keeping them apart (us - we're stubborn - wouldn't give up on either of them) - until Kip died quietly in his sleep.

With hindsight, poor old Kip would have been far better re-homed with an elderly couple where he could have ruled the roost, as he did with Ade's mum & dad, rather than have to battle for supremancy in the absolute Madhouse that was Catsenders in those days!

Margot

Yes I agree....and have everything crossed they will take her in, talking to my aunt who lives round the corner...the husband apparently adores Tilly and has been walking her after work every evening since Oct last year. They have been neighbours for 40 odd years and although not in your face, very good neighbours I would say. I just hope that they can take her in, one less worry and the sheltered housing is four roads down and the lady did indicate if they took her on they would take her to vistit my Uncle every now and again when they went.

I'm not sure Sal would fight but Tilly is so used to be "the only dog" in a quiet house I don't think she would be settled here people/kids/dog/cats/more people.

Karen