Puppy now or puppy later??

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What do you guys think about introducing another puppy into our house? Here's the scoop (and why it's in the behavior forum):

Sadly we had to say goodbye to Brie, our 14 year old girl this year. That left us with one 11 year old male, Ramsey, and an empty house. Brie was our first Basenji. We got her when she was 1 1/2 from a breeder who had 3 others. She had a bad case of separation anxiety so after a year we got a puppy, Ramsey. Brie never took to him that well. She would chase him around the house, but was always the top dog. As they got older she tended to get annoyed by him – which was totally out of character for her (kids could pull her tail and she'd just take it). When Brie passed we decided a puppy was in order, a 3 month old female named Bonnie. 6 months later Ramsey is exhibiting the same sibling behavior as Brie -- he will chase her around the house, but is annoyed every evening when he wants to sleep on the couch and she wants to play. We end up taking her for another walk or getting out a new bone to get her off of him. Or if all else fails, it's quiet time in her crate (sometimes that works well to calm her down).

Ramsey is nearly 12 and, while healthy now, he is 12. He has a lot of fatty tumors, none that seem to bother him but some which concern us (they feel too hard to be fatty tumors unless they are under a muscle). The vet has looked at him and advises us to keep our eye on them and bring him in if they do start to bother him. Basically, I'm trying to be realistic about his age.

Back to the question... I want to stop the cycle of siblings not getting along and think we will always have 2. Do you think it would be a good idea to a second puppy very soon so Bonnie and the puppy can bond, play and grow up off the bat or do you think it would cause more stress on Ramsey? Do you think bringing in a puppy in a couple years wouldn't be an issue (sounds a lot like our first experience)? It'd be great to get the puppy stage over with and even better if Bonnie had a younger playmate. What has your experiences been?

Thanks.

[DebraDownSouth]

I think that if YOU want another puppy, not if Bonnie wants one, you should get one. DO I think it would be good for her… probably.

Debra

[Vanessa]

You should get a pup! Allowing them to bond will be great for both the puppy and the older dog….Not to mention you will have a blast with the pup:D

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Thanks, yeah, I could handle a third. I know Bonnie gets bored since the 12 year old won't play all the time. A puppy may be a fun playmate for her. Then again it may drive the older guy nuts!

If I did get a puppy which is the best fit, male or female? I was talking to a breeder who said either one can go good or bad. With an older male in the house, a male puppy could have dominance issues. However, 2 females may exhibit similar problems as well down the road if I was to get another girl. I'm I over thinking this?

What has been your experience?

[Quercus]

I think two females are the hardest….if both males are neutered, you usually don't have a problem. But your breeder is right, there *can be a problem with any two dogs...there never is a sure thing.

[Vanessa]

When my boyfriend and I were first looking for a Basenji, my breeder told me that a male would probably be the best fit for us. Females tend to exhibit more attitude. My thoughts are that all Basenji's are strong willed no matter what. Male or female it all comes down to training in the end. I can't say one is better than the other.
Good luck in your decision. Let us know what you decide!!!

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@Vanessa626:

When my boyfriend and I were first looking for a Females tend to exhibit more attitude.

That was very true in Brie's case. She was dominant over the male!

@Quercus:

I think two females are the hardest….if both males are neutered, you usually don't have a problem.

Interesting. Very good to know. I know of someone with 8 and 10 month old males (not yet neutered), but I assume a younger puppy would be better?

PS: I checked out your homepage and noticed you have Select Basenjis. Our Bonnie is Select Bonnie Bell who's parents are "Gator" (Emerant's the Instigator) and her mother is Dr. Tracy's "Peeka" (Select in my Pocket). Ramse is a Klassic Basenji and our Brie was J'Tai's Breeze of Trouble from the Hacker's line… I guess I better post an introduction.

[Vanessa]

Getting your dog spayed or neutered will really help too. Be careful though..my vet wanted to neuter my pup too soon. My breeder informed me that the pup needed to develop fully before that is done. A lot of vets do not know much about this beautiful breed which makes for difficult situations. Unfortunately my pup died as a result of my vet not knowing how to detect that he was sick.

I guess in the end make sure you communicate with the breeder. Ask for advice/suggestions. Even about deciding on the sex of the dog. Breeders know there dogs really well.

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No decisions made yet, but another day where Bonnie seemed bored (and I have a trail of torn paper to prove it!). I did find a couple options out there right now in the off puppy season:

a) a 3 month old female
b) a 9 month old male (possible a female too)
c) planned litter, so available pups in 6 months

I don't know how important the bonding period is between 3-9 months. Also the 9 month old male isn't neutered yet – not sure if that makes any difference.

[Vanessa]

Is it possible for Bonnie to meet the 3 month female or even the 9 month old male? Just to see if they get along.
Im sorry that Bonnie is becomming bored. It sounds like she really needs a buddy. Good luck.

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@Vanessa626:

Is it possible for Bonnie to meet the 3 month female or even the 9 month old male? Just to see if they get along.
Im sorry that Bonnie is becomming bored. It sounds like she really needs a buddy. Good luck.

Possibly. The breeder is a good 4 hours away (1 way), but may be a nice Saturday family outting? I think I'd feel committed to get one – I mean, I would have a 4 year old daughter with me!

Today it rained all day so she couldn't run outside (or go for a walk). She was bored for sure. I played with her a couple times and took her out during a light drizzle. Made me think of what is to come... winter!

[Vanessa]

@cmd:

Possibly. The breeder is a good 4 hours away (1 way), but may be a nice Saturday family outting? I think I'd feel committed to get one – I mean, I would have a 4 year old daughter with me!

Today it rained all day so she couldn't run outside (or go for a walk). She was bored for sure. I played with her a couple times and took her out during a light drizzle. Made me think of what is to come... winter!

That would be great if you could go and see how they interact. How is she in the rain? Is it difficult to take her outside? I have read so many interesting stories on the message board about how basenji's dont like going outside when it's raining. In the winter where I live it rains a lot. I remember when I had my puppy I would take him outside to potty and he would try to hide in between my legs trying not to get wet. It was a pain because everytime I would move there he would be right under me again looking up at me making these sad groans like he was in pain. :rolleyes: Ahhh…gotta love basenji's.

[Quercus]

@cmd:

PS: I checked out your homepage and noticed you have Select Basenjis. Our Bonnie is Select Bonnie Bell who's parents are "Gator" (Emerant's the Instigator) and her mother is Dr. Tracy's "Peeka" (Select in my Pocket). Ramse is a Klassic Basenji and our Brie was J'Tai's Breeze of Trouble from the Hacker's line… I guess I better post an introduction.

Yep, we have three Select Basenjis And we know tons of Klassic Basenjis…both wonderful breeders. I saw Peeka when she was an itty bitty baby

I wish I had some good advice for you. In my experience, it works with the girls until the day it doesn't. And once girls have a fight, they never forget...where as the boys seem to get over it more easily. I think, if I were you, I would definitely go with a boy....and I would probaby go with a baby so there is the best chance of all dogs bonding early.

Good luck, and let us know what you decide, and how it goes.

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Well we did it. Number 3. That was quick.

I to know a breeder with a couple 9 month old males and a couple female puppies. This time of year is tough too – unless you don't mind driving several states away. We made the 3 hr trek out to see how Bonnie, our 10mo old girl, would interact with them. She didn't care much for the pups. She started to "put them in their place" (a behavior we've never seen from her -- she seemed all grown up all the sudden). There was one male she seemed to really take to. We thought about it for a few days while on a road trip and picked him up on the way home.

Its been a couple days now and there are some challenges. He's kennel-broke but not house-broke. He's use to sleeping in a very nice kennel but not a crate. But other than those 2 issues, he is very sweet and even our 12 year old male is sort of fine with him. He mostly ignores the new guy, but Bonnie and him are buds. Thanks for all your advice.

See my upcoming post: "House Breaking a 9 Month-old"

[ChaseandZahrasmom]

Congratulations on your new addition to the family! Post some pictures when you can.

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Here they are…