What would you think is a good way for me to see if Oakley will allow another b in the house? My breeder lives ten minutes away…should I ask if I could watch one of her females for the weekend? I don't want to start the long puppy process search if it could end disastrous
Getting along with another dog on neutral ground and in their home are two potentially different scenarios. With my basenjis (the beagle didn't care) it took at minimum days to weeks to acclimate. For Nemo, it took a good 3-4 days to get used to Zoni as a puppy. For Zoni, we had to gradually introduce Hubble over the course of about 2-3 weeks in small doses. If I had made a snap judgement that it wasn't going to work based on the initial reactions they had, we would have been totally wrong. Now Zoni and Hubble are like best buddies. Zoni loves playing with other dogs but she has to be comfortable around them first.
So, long way of saying that if Oakley doesnt get along with a pup or adult at your house right away, it doesnt necessarily mean its not possible. It can take a little time. You know Oakley the best.
I know he is very attached to me…..on a scale of 1-10 he's now a 9....he would be a 10 if he still was crate crazy when I left. He ha a reliable recall but that's because he's afraid of losing sight of me....he has in the past gotten aggravated at me lovig another dog but that's gotten better...on the other hand, it has literally been Oakley and I since day one. I got him after a tough long term relationship breakup and he and I have done everything together....I truly don't know I he will allow another dog into the house...that's probably the main reason I created his thread...
I would agree that you won't know instantly. My Lady hated the puppy on sight, and would growl and walk away if Tamu got close to her. But after three days she decided to play with her, and after that it didn't take long for them to bond. (although for a long time Lady didn't think allowing Tamu in bed was necessary. If the pup accidentally touched her, she would take offense, but never bit her, only growled). I think a pup gets more tolerance than an older dog would, although that can change as the pup matures.
That's the tough part…I want this to enrich Oakleys life, the "what if he doesn't take to her is the part that I worry about. There's a lot of planning, time and money that goes into the process, I can't imagine what I would do if Oakley didn't adjust
Odds are he probably will be fine with another dog. Maybe try out a retired show dog, who could range in age from a yearling to much older. It might be an easier option to try in case it doesn't work out.
Two main pros to getting an adult are that 1. You will have a really good idea what their temperament and personality are and 2. You can probably take them for a trial basis to make sure things are working out. This may be something you want to talk to Oakley's breeders about.
Still so confused about what to do….oof
If you are ambivalent, it might be wiser to try him with an adult, preferably one that can be returned if necessary. It would be a shame to start with a pup and find things don't work out.
I'm going to talk to my breeder and see what she suggests and maybe bring Oakley over so she can "analyze" him. But, I am thinking that he will accept a puppy way better than an adult. He will be a mentor for awhile and I think feel less threatened…an adult female will come in and take over right away and I think that quick loss of power will make him object. He really isn't dominant and he is so goofy that I think he will find a puppy fun and submissive....my only concern is how well he will share me. Lots to think about
my only concern is how well he will share me.
Ah, Basenji jealousy! Yeah, they think life is all about them. My husband can't give me a hug without finding a dog pushing in between us. 
Lol, jealousy is my sole concern, I can't see Oakley getting aggressive with a puppy, I think at most he will feel proud to mentor her and show her off as his own. But I can picture him lending her his own bed so she doesn't sleep with us, and making sure she knows his cubby spot on the couch. It has really been him and I since he was ten weeks and I can see him getting jealous. He's a mommys boy 100 times over
If Oakley is very playful, you should probably get a puppy or a dog that is close to his age. Sometimes the older ones do not like too much playing. Do you take Oakley to a dog park? If so, how does he behave there? Does he stay by your side or does he play with the other dogs and ignore you?
Jennifer
Hea only been to one dog park and he would mostly just play and chase other dogs, but he also generally comes when called but he got ALL the dogs both big an small to chase him. He really didn't pay attention to me. He also it along well with the female basenji but I think would have gotten along better with her but she had an interest in him that was a little more "I want to get you". He is very vey playful, it's all he wants to do
My dogs both love to be chased, they aren't into the whole chasing game. When we go to the dog park Tucker will always get the dogs to chase him and he just loves it, he will purposefully slow down so that the dogs can catch up and then he will take off again. He is such a tease!
Not all puppies are going to be submissive and he may not really get to be a mentor. Nicky never really cared to be an alpha but I don't think he quite expected that his apathy would translate into the 10 week old puppy we brought home becoming boss pretty much overnight. They have always gotten along well but mostly because Nicky quickly accepted that as the boy even if he was right, if Rally said he was wrong then he was wrong. He has also accepted that each subsequent girl has similar rules though being not dragons (Rally was born in the year of the dragon) they are a bit less iron-pawed in their rules.
An 8 week old puppy, female, may come in and take over immediately. Been there, seen that! With dogs, adult or pups, "ya just never know" what the relationship will be till it happens.
The better socialized a dog is, the more positive interactions he has had with other dogs, the more likely he will welcome a newcomer, pup or adult. Be prepared for days or weeks of introductions, have a back-up plan in case after a couple of months it still isn't working. Be as relaxed as you can be, dogs really pick up on our emotions and fears. A puppy might be great, a young adult may be wonderful too, already housebroken, good walking manners, but still a playmate. And till you have 2, you will have no idea who the 'alpha' will be, but they work it out and area happy once resolved.
I have 3 now and love it, doubt I will ever have less than 2. They love me, but love each other so much it's wonderful to watch!
So I guess it's a crap shoot either way!!! Lol
I have a lot to think about and whatever decision I make I will make it work…
Everyone I know who has gotten a second dog has been happy they did. Spencer was an only dog the first three years of his life, then he lived with two other dogs for the middle, now he has been an only dog again at the end. He thrived with the other dogs and loved having playmates. (And, of course, they tired each other out!) Spencer has become much clingier as an only dog and has developed severe separation anxiety that he never had before. I think a second dog would have helped that.
Good luck either way! I'm sure you'll make the right decision for you and Oakley– and there really is no wrong decision. One Basenji or two-- it's a fun ride!
Oh, and I meant to say– Oakley has grown up to be a beautiful boy. Hard to believe he's not that little puppy, anymore.
Thanks Pamela, he really has turned out to be such a handsome boy, still as much a goober now as he was but I'm proud! I'm ok with waiting a year or two to add a female but right now I have a promising lead, so I hope that goes well for all, so much for being a planner!
