I have a 10 week old puppy and have had him for 4 weeks.  He is a west highland white terrier and is absolutely adorable (except when he's trying to chew your fingers ha ha)  I'm intending to buy another Westie as I like to keep animals in pairs and was wondering on what sex to get as Charlie is a dominant puppy. Also I was wondering what the best technique would be in introducing the puppies to each other.

Thanks

Shelley

Hi Shelley,

At only 10 weeks you and Charlie haven't had much time to bond, get to know each other or get the most basic training habits instilled in him yet - unless your a genius in which case share your secret :)

Two puppies at the same time are very difficult to bond with - they find so much more fun in playing with one another that the owner can seem superfluous to their requirements  :rolleyes: (except for food of course).  It would be much better for you and Charlie to allow him to grow up in mind and body and when he's a year (or more) and you've ensured he's a sociable, well trained young man, think about keeping him "in pairs" if you still feel that way inclined.

Best wishes, Teri :)

Thanks Terry, I'm still in two minds as to whether to get another.  To be honest it will be a handful and with Charlie being a terrier he can be very naughty at times.  I just assumed that Charlie would happily live with another dog because he is a puppy, would it not be harder to introduce another pup once Charlie is older.  I am making sure Charlie is well sociallised with other dogs, and we are booked onto an obedience course for puppies.

Hi again ;)

Charlie I am sure would be delighted to live with another puppy just now :o but I think if you're anything like the rest of us YOU might be tearing your hair out by the roots if he were to get a new playmate in the near future :D

Apart from them over bonding as described earlier, another thing that two youngsters help to teach each other if not constantly monitored and given lots of time apart are "fighting skills".  All puppy play is based on survival then hunt/prey skill development and when this happens through interaction with another puppy of similar age they don't learn boundaries as they would with an older dog as mentor.   They may therefore be great friends with one another but could become over bearing in later life with strange dogs :(  This is, of course, not always the case as with correct skills on the owner's part this can be avoided - but it is difficult in time and energy to train one puppy to grow into a happy, safe and well adjusted adult - two at the same time is not double trouble either - more like QUADRUPLE

Glad to hear you have him booked into a course - these are just the sort of supervised interactions he needs.

Best of luck, Teri ;) 

Actually the opposite is usually true.  True as pups they will get on famously in fact to the detriment of the dog human bond.  Problems, especially in ffesity terriers and other dominant breeds will almost certainly occur at maturity.  They will want to sort out who is boss,a dn because there are few natural difgferences they may be evenly matched and fight.

Whn a pup comes into the hose where there is an adult dog, initialy the adult may not appreciate the youngster but if properly socialised will be programmed to do it no harm, and gradually they become freinds.  The pup naturally looks up to the adult for leadership, so there is little or no conflict re status (unless the baby is psrticulsrly dominant and adult very submissive) and by the time pup reashes maturity the older dog is a mature adult in a good position over the younger one.

I would advise about two year age gap with your terrier.  In my bigger less mature breed I prefer 3 years.

I agree Brainless that there may be a dominance issue between two pups of the same sex in feisty breeds - however Shelley didn't say she was introducing another male, although did ask which sex if going ahead with it.    One of each sex growing up together IME has never led to any type of conflict  ;).

But if you're reading this Shelley I'd still advise to wait, wait, wait  :D

Regards, Teri

Must admit I always tend to think single sex household, avoids the neutering/breeding issue :D

Hi Shelley,

I'd really suggest you reconsider this idea, just for the time being.  Many responsible breeders won't sell two puppies together for a very good reason - even the most experienced owners would find it VERY hard work, and at 10 weeks, Charlie has got a lot more 'stages' to go through which will test your patience every inch of the way, without the added hassle of another puppy going through different stages at the same time.........

Your priority at the moment should be socialising Charlie with other dogs, humans and inanimate objects, and making YOU his sole source of amusement and entertainment.  Once he's adapted to the human way of doing things, he will be well equipped to share his life with another dog ;)

Thanks for all you helpful information, I'm definitly going to wait at least 12 months before I buy another pup.  Charlie is getting really naughty with his nipping and has broken my skin on a few occassions, so I think getting another one would be the equivalent of adopting 10 kids LOL.  I have read the other posts regarding puppies nipping and have tried everything except for the water gun!!!
I give him time outs when he gets over excited and put him in the kitchen but he tends to wee right near the door, everytime, I've tried holding his snout shut, saying NO, banging a newspaper near him, and tapping him on his nose but this just makes him worse.  I am trying to be very firm with him and at the moment if we play and he starts to nip I just walk away and leave him on his own.  I would be glad of any advice as I feel we are making no progress what so ever  H E L P!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh dear :(  It sounds to me as if Charlie is far from 'dominant', but actually rather afraid and trying to defend himself from this strange human who is rather unpredictable - you've only had him 4 weeks, and yet you've responded in alsorts of ways to his natural puppy exuberance.  you need to choose one method that makes sense to you, bearing in mind Charlies disposition, and stick with it.  Firstly I wouldn't put a pup out because it was excited, as this is rewarding it with more human contact.  I would leave the room and shut the door behind me - this is where stair gates come in so handy.  Then you should ignore him for a few minutes until he's calmed down, then you can return to him.  He's also not having any opportunity to learn what you  DO want him to do, so when he's calmed down, offer him a toy you can play with with him - most terriers like a ragger style.

Above all, be consistent, and expect it to get worse before it gets better - this is quite natural.

Hi Shelley,

Digger is right - Charlie is probably confused by so many different commands and reactions from you - he's too young to fully understand any one thing so best to treat his behaviour good and bad by expressing your own requirements of him through YOUR behaviour.  ie. ALWAYS ignore the bad and don't forget to ALWAYS make a fuss when he gets it right ;)

You'll definitely get there in the end - it's very early days yet!

Good luck,
Regards, Teri

Foxy if its any consolation i am with you on this as my pup is 13 weeks and trying desperately to rule us all hand and foot.   When he nips i give him a sharp NO which after two weeks now seems to be working.  He will at least now back off.   His main playtime nipping time) is in the evenings and what we do is to tell him NO when he nips skin and immediately offer him an alternative i.e. one of his toys.  I dont find pointing a finger at him or any other aggressive gestures helps as this makes him worse, he thinks we are playing with him.  The thing to remember is this; to get a nice adult dog we have to go throught the stages of  puppy and adolescent-hood.    Chin up and get some gardening gloves :o) 

the joy of Terriers !! i was at a puppy class last week, and it was the terriers who were the trouble makers, i wouldnt be without them though !!