I need you to be HONEST

[TresCutePiggies]

Originally Posted by BabyGirl Rosie

I need for the YT members to be honest with me about something. I have been thinking about Rosie a sister for a few months now. I have been watching the rescues and have had my heart broke a few times because it did not work out for me. With that said, I think I have found a possible little girl that needs a home. I need you to tell me 1) if you adopted the rescue, 2) your experiences with the rescue (not the group but the dog itself), 3) any advice for bringing a rescue home, 4) how to transition with my Rosie, 5) anything else you think would help me. She is from a breeder, not house broken, shy, nervous in new situations, and can not be returned (has already had this happen! ) So, be honest and tell me what I need to know.

1.) Lane is adopted from a rescue. There was a huge puppymill bust, and the rescue we adopted her from took in some of the dogs from this bust.

2.) She was extremely timid, nervous and anxious (rightly so). Her entire world changed almost immediately. The day after we adopted her we actually drove down to celebrate Christmas with my parents. I think it helped her tremendously to have Rory and my parents' 2 other dogs and sister's dog there to hang around with her. Dogs were all she knew from before. She is still not 100% housebroken and may never be. She loves to mark the tiny, tiny spots. We've always lived in high rises, so they use pads the majority of the time.

3.) Give them lots of time and patience to come out of their shell. Dogs adjust at all different rates. Lane wouldn't eat out of bowl (probably didn't know what one was) for awhile and actually ran around pacing frantically the first night. It was hard to watch, but at the same time it was good she was willing to leave her crate. She had no idea what toys were, chews were, etc. She had a crate available to her, and the first night we kept her in the crate on our bed. The next night we left it open on our bed and she came out to sleep on our bed with Rory and us. Of course, pm rescues have their own set of issues to overcome, making it extra amazing when they do. Point being, you may not have to deal with some of these.

4.) Rosie absolutely should meet this other pup before you bring her home. I can't imagine a rescue not insisting on this. Rory and Lane met before we adopted Lane. They didn't immediately start playing with each other or anything, but they sniffed each other and were accepting enough.

5.) Rory was my spoiled princess before Lane entered the picture. I cannot explain how sweet she was to Lane. Rory was already very well socialized when we adopted Lane too, since she was attending doggie daycare everyday (M-F), attended lots of dog meetups, played with friends dogs, lots of walks in the park, etc. Once we got home from the holidays and had to head back to work, Lane started the daily daycare with Rory - I also think this helped her tremendously to learn what it was to be a dog. The rescue actually told me that Lane may never want to play. Ironically, it was the first thing she really did to come out of shell...about a week after we had her she instigated play with Rory - talk about a tearful moment.

[BabyGirl Rosie]

Originally Posted by TresCutePiggies

5.) Rory was my spoiled princess before Lane entered the picture. I cannot explain how sweet she was to Lane. Rory was already very well socialized when we adopted Lane too, since she was attending doggie daycare everyday (M-F), attended lots of dog meetups, played with friends dogs, lots of walks in the park, etc. Once we got home from the holidays and had to head back to work, Lane started the daily daycare with Rory - I also think this helped her tremendously to learn what it was to be a dog. The rescue actually told me that Lane may never want to play. Ironically, it was the first thing she really did to come out of shell...about a week after we had her she instigated play with Rory - talk about a tearful moment.

This is what worries me. Rosie has not been that socialized with other dogs. She is around our outside dogs. Loves the Great Pyrenees but barks and gets in the face of our Beagles. She has also been around my moms dog. She just runs from her and into my lap. Mom has a Shih Tzu. If I get another, I want them to be friends. I will just be honest....I am so confused on what to do.

[Taryn0405]

Originally Posted by BabyGirl Rosie

This is what worries me. Rosie has not been that socialized with other dogs. She is around our outside dogs. Loves the Great Pyrenees but barks and gets in the face of our Beagles. She has also been around my moms dog. She just runs from her and into my lap. Mom has a Shih Tzu. If I get another, I want them to be friends. I will just be honest....I am so confused on what to do.

This is when I wish I lived in Arkansas. I'd bring Giz over in a heartbeat to run and tumble with Rosie.

But like you said, if you can bring Rosie to the new dog and see what happens. But even then, they're on neutral turf as opposed tpo home, and home is Rosie's turf.

In the end I know you'll make the best decision for both you and Ms. Rosie! Good luck! Keep us posted on what's going on!

[TresCutePiggies]

Originally Posted by BabyGirl Rosie

This is what worries me. Rosie has not been that socialized with other dogs. She is around our outside dogs. Loves the Great Pyrenees but barks and gets in the face of our Beagles. She has also been around my moms dog. She just runs from her and into my lap. Mom has a Shih Tzu. If I get another, I want them to be friends. I will just be honest....I am so confused on what to do.

Can you attempt to socialize her now with other dogs similar in size? Could you take Rosie to doggie daycare just once per week? Have you searched for meetup groups in your area? Even just finding friends who have friendly similar sized dogs and walking them together might be a good place to start. Mine have been around dogs of all sizes (family has Old English Sheepdogs), but they definitely prefer dogs closer to their size. I only let my girls go to dog parks and doggie daycares where they separate the dogs by size. Our favorite doggie daycare in Atlanta actually had a group of just minis (basically toy breeds), which was great.

Maybe this girl isn't the right one or maybe it isn't the right time, but you can certainly take steps to try to socialize Rosie so when the time is right you won't need to be as concerned with that aspect of it.

I will say I think it's normal to be a little worried when adding a new member to the family. I knew once I saw Lane I wouldn't be able to say no to her, and I debated that morning if I should even go. Of course, once she was officially mine I was so happy I had some happy tears and tears of relief when we got to car.

[BabyGirl Rosie]

Originally Posted by TresCutePiggies

Can you attempt to socialize her now with other dogs similar in size? Could you take Rosie to doggie daycare just once per week? Have you searched for meetup groups in your area? Even just finding friends who have friendly similar sized dogs and walking them together might be a good place to start. Mine have been around dogs of all sizes (family has Old English Sheepdogs), but they definitely prefer dogs closer to their size. I only let my girls go to dog parks and doggie daycares where they separate the dogs by size. Our favorite doggie daycare in Atlanta actually had a group of just minis (basically toy breeds), which was great.

Maybe this girl isn't the right one or maybe it isn't the right time, but you can certainly take steps to try to socialize Rosie so when the time is right you won't need to be as concerned with that aspect of it.

I will say I think it's normal to be a little worried when adding a new member to the family. I knew once I saw Lane I wouldn't be able to say no to her, and I debated that morning if I should even go. Of course, once she was officially mine I was so happy I had some happy tears and tears of relief when we got to car.

I do have the friend that is coming over with her Yorkie. I don't even know if there is a doggie day care around me. Something I need to look into. My stepson has a female Yorkie and I know that he would let me bring her here to see how Rosie does. Maybe I need to do that for a few days and see what happens.

Thank you so much for the suggestions. These are things I never really thought about.

[mscat]

The vet told me that it is always better to bring home a new dog that is the oppisite sex of the first dog. They tend to get along better. Sometimes females can be very dominante and will fight for the position. I had this happen before and it is not pleasant. I was fortunate to have brought home Miely a shih tzu a year after I brought home Suzi . The two of them get along well. Not sure if it was because Miely was so young and small that Suzi was ok. Not sure if it is harder to bring home anther adult dog then it is a new puppy.
It helps when the dogs are spayed. I think that it is a good idea for them to visit each other a few times before making a final decision.

[LisaD]

Tink and Peanut are both rescues. Tink was found on the side of the ROAD in MAcon. Someone just dumped my little old lady out!!! The lady that found her put her all over trying to find her original owners, assuming that maybe she just got out and wandered. No one answered her. Tink fit right in here. No issues, loves everyone and is a total sweetie. I think she is a chuhuahua and yorkie mix. Anyway, the we have Peanut. He was gotten by my ex SIL from a lady that got him from a supposedly reputable breeder in Atlanta or Marietta. She no longer needed him as a BREEDER dog and just gave him and few others to this lady.... She charged my SIL 150.00 for Peanut (his original name I am told) and sent SIl on the way...Now, SIL was no better than the Breeder lady that sent him away with no socialaztion skills, he did not know how to play until a few weeks ago. Has marking issues out the wazoooo, had horrible teeth, NOT neutered, he is now.
So, I said all of that to say this. Rescues CAN be alot of work. But, I would not take anything for either of mine. And, yep I want another!!! I am sych a glutten for punishment. Just socialize Rosie as the others has suggested and visit, visit, visit. You will know when and who in your heart.

Hope all this babbling helped.

[BabyGirl Rosie]

From what I am reading from everyone, I think the most important thing for me to find out is Rosie's reaction. I know the rescue is okay around other dogs. I did ask that and she told me she was fine around them. So, it looks like Rosie is the key. I would take this baby in a heartbeat as long as Rosie is fine. I do appreciate everyone explaining the work involved. I wanted the honesty so I will not have any surprises. Thank you so much for trying to help in my tough decision.

[Lisa and Pic]

Good luck with your decision and glad you are thinking about it carefully.

I brought home a stray (Vivi) a few years ago and Piccolo was not too thrilled about it in the beginning. (They are both girls) However, it has worked out and they are currently wrestling under my feet.

Will be checking into your thread to see what you decide.

[BabyGirl Rosie]

Well, this little girl is not going to work out for my family. I have spent much time talking to the lady at the rescue. She is terrified of men. Since I have two sons and a husband, I think she would not be happy here. With that said, I have not given up. The lady at the rescue is going to email information on the other Yorkies available.

Rosie is also having a play day with another female Yorkie today. I'll post pictures later! Can't wait to see how she reacts.

I will keep you updated on what I decide. Thank you all so much for your input. It really helps.

[BabyGirl Rosie]

Ok, here was how the play day went. Visualize a 5 1/2 lb Yorkie turning into a Pit Bull! Boy, can Rosie get fired up. Mrs. Beasley came over to play with Rosie. Rosie did not want any part of her what so ever. It was not a pretty play day. Lol. So, I am thinking. It looks like a male or maybe a puppy. My groomer today also said that she didn't think Rosie would do well with another. She said Rosie was too spoiled. Don't know why she would think that! Anyway, here are a few pictures of Rosie and Mrs. B.

[kdhawks]

Originally Posted by BabyGirl Rosie

Ok, here was how the play day went. Visualize a 5 1/2 lb Yorkie turning into a Pit Bull! Boy, can Rosie get fired up. Mrs. Beasley came over to play with Rosie. Rosie did not want any part of her what so ever. It was not a pretty play day. Lol. So, I am thinking. It looks like a male or maybe a puppy. My groomer today also said that she didn't think Rosie would do well with another. She said Rosie was too spoiled. Don't know why she would think that! Anyway, here are a few pictures of Rosie and Mrs. B.

Attachment 347577 Attachment 347578

Had Rosie ever met the other pup before? Was the play date at your house? Maybe the bad manners were just possessiveness and uncertainty, rather than Rosie being too spoiled to enjoy the company of another small dog. I like to introduce my dogs to others on neutral territory. Levi couldn't care less about who or what comes in our house...but the non-yorkie, Dallas, gets very possessive and hateful when a strange dog comes to visit. And he usually LOVES other dogs.

If you really want to add a second dog, I'd keep trying to socialize Rosie with other pups every chance you can. Doggie daycare, parks, meetups, hanging out with friends and their dogs, etc. Maybe she will warm up. Sorry this play date didn't go so smoothly!

[BabyGirl Rosie]

Originally Posted by kdhawks

Had Rosie ever met the other pup before? Was the play date at your house? Maybe the bad manners were just possessiveness and uncertainty, rather than Rosie being too spoiled to enjoy the company of another small dog. I like to introduce my dogs to others on neutral territory. Levi couldn't care less about who or what comes in our house...but the non-yorkie, Dallas, gets very possessive and hateful when a strange dog comes to visit. And he usually LOVES other dogs.

If you really want to add a second dog, I'd keep trying to socialize Rosie with other pups every chance you can. Doggie daycare, parks, meetups, hanging out with friends and their dogs, etc. Maybe she will warm up. Sorry this play date didn't go so smoothly!

This was their first meeting and yes it was at my house. Maybe she was being very territorial. We have had males over before and she did not act the same way at all.

I just started looking at the Doggie daycares in my area. None in my hometown but some that are close by. I guess we will see what happens with my little Miss Thing!

[BabyGirl Rosie]

Ok, all tell me what you think. I spoke to my sister in law. She is who I got Rosie from. She thinks that if I am set on two females it would be better to get a puppy. She thinks Rosie would adjust to having a new puppy better than an adult dog. What do you think?

[DvlshAngel985]

I think you need to work on socializing Rosie first before considering adding another. Try play dates outside your house with female dogs. I think a dog is a dog whether it's an adult or a puppy. A puppy might get hurt if Rosie gets aggressive and territorial. Teach her to play nice with others first, then let her get use to having play mates in her home, then get a puppy. It sounds like a slow going plan, but I think this will help you gauge what Rosie can, or cannot handle.