Maybe adopting; advice please!

[MsFamousHepburn]

I browse Petfinder almost daily to see if there are any Yorkie girls who need to be adopted in my area, and tonight I found one! Shes only 11 months old and is in a shelter! How heartbreaking! My husband & I both think it'd be great to have two Yorkie babies around and I think her adoption fee is actually really low.

Now comes the part where I need advice...
Xavier is a well-behaved little 6 month old, except when he is around other dogs! He was around my mamaw's female Poodle for about an hour, and would just growl at her; he also barked and growled at my sister's Jack Russell mix everytime he saw him! Keep in mind this was prior to his being neutered, but I don't know if that changes anything? Is it ridiculous to even ponder getting another pup knowing his past reactions to other dogs? I'm also going to be getting a job soon, so there will be days that the little babies will most likely be alone for up to 8 hours. Do you all think that is too long for them to be home alone?

Sorry for such a long thread, but I really need advice! Thank you all so much!
~Elisha

Here's her link>>>>
http://http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=10722741

[alaskayorkie]

Aww, what a sweetie. Get her, get her, get her!

You may have to work on Xavier's social skills by bringing him around other dogs and people, but it's something a lot of us go through. The neutering will help. And I think a boy and a girl are likely to get along better than two of the same.

The only thing I'd suggest right off the bat is to introduce them in a neutral location. Take your hubby and walk them on leash at a park or something and let them see each other from a few feet away. Then walk them at a nonthreatening distance for a while. If they seem OK, you can let them get closer. After that, Xavier will be less likely to become territorial at home.

Good luck, you won't be sorry.

[MsFamousHepburn]

Thank you so much for your advice! I'm glad to hear Xavier isn't the only Yorkie with not-so-wonderful social skills! So, I won't really be able to tell from letting them meet prior to our adopting her? I'm just so afraid of them not getting along and then I don't know what I would do! She is about 2 hours away from us, so we'll probably try to go meet her & bring her home the same day. So I was thinking we'd bring X along to meet her with us. Bad or good idea?

[alaskayorkie]

Originally Posted by MsFamousHepburn

Thank you so much for your advice! I'm glad to hear Xavier isn't the only Yorkie with not-so-wonderful social skills! So, I won't really be able to tell from letting them meet prior to our adopting her? I'm just so afraid of them not getting along and then I don't know what I would do! She is about 2 hours away from us, so we'll probably try to go meet her & bring her home the same day. So I was thinking we'd bring X along to meet her with us. Bad or good idea?

Others may have better advice on that, but I would bring him. Just don't panic if they don't get along. Sometimes it takes work. My boys needed months before they got along well. I was able to leave them home alone with no problems, but sometimes they'd fight over toys. I worked at it and solved it. They're buds now.

[MsFamousHepburn]

Originally Posted by alaskayorkie

Others may have better advice on that, but I would bring him. Just don't panic if they don't get along. Sometimes it takes work. My boys needed months before they got along well. I was able to leave them home alone with no problems, but sometimes they'd fight over toys. I worked at it and solved it. They're buds now.

O awesome! I'm glad to hear success stories

[alaskayorkie]

Originally Posted by MsFamousHepburn

O awesome! I'm glad to hear success stories

Yeah, just don't panic if it's a little rocky at first. As long as they're not physically hurting each other, a few skirmishes are to be expected.

[yorkiesmiles]

Xavier may end up being a better dog for this experience. This could be a win-win for you, so when you go to a meetup or at the park and encounter other dogs he will know how to behave. Best of luck

[yorkie mom-3]

Oh I would adopt her if I was in your shoes. Take your other baby with you and let him be part of the process. That is what we did and introduced them on neutral ground. I would certainly go for it and she needs a furever home.

[Mitzis Mom]

Before we adopted Maggie this year in January we had Mitzi for 11 years all alone and she always acted as if she would just tear apart any other dog that came close to her. We were very concerned and thouht about crates and play pens and all kinds of safety measurements. BUT the moment they saw each other they were friends... Nobody could be more surprised than us! Only when it comes to her bone Mitzi will not allow Maggie to have it...

[Patti]

I would get her. I have a 11 year old pom who is snappy and hated other dogs. I now have 3 yorkies and they all get along. She lets them know if she doesn't want to be bothered but she really has become a better dog with having the others. Good luck and keep us posted.

[MsFamousHepburn]

Well she was adopted before had the chance to get her! She was in the shelter because she was bred at 9 months and wasn't able to properly give birth, so the breeder didn't want her! How sad! I'm glad to hear she went to a good home though !

[Mitzis Mom]

Originally Posted by MsFamousHepburn

Well she was adopted before had the chance to get her! She was in the shelter because she was bred at 9 months and wasn't able to properly give birth, so the breeder didn't want her! How sad! I'm glad to hear she went to a good home though !

So bittersweet! The right girl for you is out there and will find you!

[yorkiesmiles]

praying she is in a forever home and spayed now. There may be another furbaby for you soon

[MsFamousHepburn]

This is kind of a neat story... So prior to our getting Xavier, I had been in contact with a lady about adopting her 11 yr old Yorkie. We ended up not adopting her because my MIL bought Xavier for us. Well, turns out Sasha still needs a home! I know shes older, but I've been wanting to do a rescue and I think she counts! I'm so excited about getting her! I've not seen any pictures, but her current owner says she doesn't have any health problems except for bad teeth and arthitis and that they are rehoming her because they just don't have enough time for her. There's no adoption fee because her shots aren't current and she has never been spayed. I was going to make an appt to spay her, but have decided thats probably not the best thing for her at her age. What do you guys think? Any advice?

[nvnvgirl]

Oh wow! what a good story! And how sweet of you to take on an 11 yr old that needs a good home! It seems like it would be kind of hard on a dog at that age to be spayed, but I don't know a thing about it, so don't listen to me!

I was going to tell you before that I've only had Madison here for about a month and I wouldn't say Max LOVES him, but they get along pretty well as far as fighting or anything. In fact, they don't really fight other than when one of them tries to keep the other one away from ME....I don't worry about them being alone together (self-cancelling phrase, I know) when Im out running errands. I think they probably both sleep.

Best of luck with your new little one! I'm sure she'll bring you much joy. It's a good feeling to know that you've opted to take on a dog who's really in need of a home! Bless you!