Smokey Looking For A Friend

[lizbud]

Well, I'm looking around for him really. I'm looking for a
female dog (male would be o.k.too) if he seems right with
Smokey. I saw a little 4mo old black female Lab mix today at
PetsMart.Such a cutie pie. but as soon as any of the dogs
start barking, Smokey wants to head right out the door.He's
not a barker at all, and I think it scares him. I guess I'll have
to go looking without Smokey. He gets along one on one
with every dog or cat he's ever met, He just hates it when
they all start barking. I've always heard a new dog should
meet any dog you already have, so do you all think it'd be
alright if I picked one out without him?

[LorraineO]

find a dog you really like then have your doggie meet the new one BEFORE you commit to adopting to see how they get along.... in neutral territory of course,,,,

[Cincy'sMom]

I don't think it is neccesary for you to have Smokey with you, when you pick out a new friend for him. You know his temprement and should be able to judge the type of dog he will do best with. As long as you are able to observe how the dog interacts with other dogs, you should be able to get a feel for it. Ideally, you would then be able to introduce the two on neutral territroy, but in a more quite setting them PetsMart, before you make a commitment, but it doesn't always work out that way.

When we brought Spot home, I took the girls with me to go meet him. At the shelter they were fine...not really interested in each other. They did fine in the car all the way home. Once we got into the house, then there was a little growing and uncertainty, but that lasted all of five mintues, and then they were great and have be three of a kind ever since. So even if they meet somewhere else first, you may not see the true realtionship until they are on their own territroy. It may just ward off any obvious dislikes between the dogs.

Good luck in your search!!

[Kfamr]

The only time i'd think you'd need to bring your dog along is if they had aggression towards other dogs or animals.. or the dog you're looking at did. As long as both dogs get along with most dogs, it should be fine



I hope Smokey gets a new friend (and we get lots of pics!!!)

[Cinder & Smoke]

Originally posted by lizbud

Well, I'm looking around for him really.

... so do you all think it'd be alright if
I picked one out without him?

Smokey will probably enjoy "helping" to pick his new sister!

I've watched at a couple of shelters when folks brought a dog
along to "help" with the choice -
MANY of them leave the "Senior Dawg" out in the car -
OUT of earshot of the shelter crowd!

When a possible "candidate" has been picked by the Hoomins;
her or she is brought OUTside on a leash for introductions. If you
go by yourself (with Smokey) - you'll need the help of a Shelter Volunteer
to assist and hold onto the "candidate" - but any shelter worth
it's salt should be willing to help that way.

When I 'dopted Cinder - we spent a couple HOURS outside the shelter
with her on a leash - just walkin around and getting to know
each other. The Volunteers all thought that was GREAT.

And I was a "first" in asking for a Kat Test!??
I explained "Pup Dawg" *HAD* to get along with a KAT - and I wanted
to see how she'd react to a Kat...
And since I hadn't brought Boots along - I "needed a KAT"!

A "willing"?? Kat Volunteer was selected and held in a Volunteer's
lap out in the office - and Pup Dawg (Cinder) was given a lose leash
to approach da Kat...
No Furr Flew from either one -
so Pup Dawg was deemed to have "passed the Kat Test" and
'doption papers were quickly signed!

If I were in your shoes - I'd want Smokey to "get to know" his
future Dawg Buddie *before* you got home!

/s/ Phred
.

[Pam]

Liz this is really exciting! I think all of Pet Talk is going to be on pins and needles now waiting to see who is the lucky dog that will get to be selected as Smokey's new best friend.

I actually selected Ripley (by that I mean that I signed the application before consulting with Bella). I brought her to the shelter a couple of days later and they both walked around outside and sniffed each other a few times and seemed relatively unimpressed with each other. I took that as a good sign.

The day that I brought him home he attempted to mount her within the first 5-10 minutes (his *equipment* was still intact at the time). She let him know right away that she wasn't that kind of girl and after that everything was fine. Good luck and please keep us posted!!

[lizbud]

Thanks for the ideas guys. While I think having having Smokey
meet the new dog first is probably best, like I said, Smokey has
never meet a dog he doesn't like or would like to play with. He's
such a mellow guy. I would hope to get a poochie with a
similar temperment.

The kitties know nothing about this, but I'll always keep them
in mind too when I pick out another dog. Smokey really misses
the company of other dogs, I can tell. I will keep you guys up
to date on the search. Wish me luck to find a good match.

[micki76]

Originally posted by Pam
The day that I brought him home he attempted to mount her within the first 5-10 minutes (his *equipment* was still intact at the time). She let him know right away that she wasn't that kind of girl and after that everything was fine. Good luck and please keep us posted!!

Millie also tried this with Chester the first evening at our house. He let her know in no uncertain terms that it wasn't acceptable.

I would have them meet somewhere other than at your house for the first time. If not at the shelter, then at a park or even a parking lot. Just some place neutral.

[shais_mom]

aaww that's awesome Liz!!
Let us know if you want help on Petfinder that would be FUN!
My neighbor has 2 adorable MIX puppies that need homes. But they are mixed mixed mixed! And a little younger then you want - and kind of far away.

[RobiLee]

Liz, this is wonderful news. I'm so excited for you and Smokey.

Everyone has already given you great advice. I'm so looking forward to meeting your new addition.

Robin

[4 Dog Mother]

Liz, when we adopted Snoopy, we didn't take any of the dogs with us. Knowing the other dogs temperaments works pretty well. We took Dazzi when we got Jack - if Dazzi accepted him, the others would too. Maybe we have just been lucky, but all the dogs get along well. There have been a few scuffles but it is usually over food and ends quickly with no one hurt. I just see it as the same as kids - they get into little fights too. I think if you see the new dog reacting to other dogs that it will turn out fine. As to meeting on neutral ground, it may be ideal but we haven't had too much problem when that wasn't a possibilty. (we got home with Jack about 10 or 11 at night from Kentucky - we did let each dog meet him separately though in the front yard before bringing him into the house).

Good luck, I'm sure you will find a great friend for Smokey!

[DoggiesAreTheBest]

How exciting!! I am sure that Smokey will just love his new sister regardless of whether he helps pick her out or not.

[cloverfdx]

What great news . You have gotton some good advice so all i can say is, i cannot wait to "Meet" your new addition when the day comes.

Goodluck in your search.

[lovemyshiba]

When we got Abbey, we were allowed to take her for a "trial run" for the weekend. That's how we introduced her and Kito--if they hadn't gotten along, she wouldn't have been able to stay--but they did, thank God!!!
Riley was such an impulsive move, I didn't even think about whether my husband would like him, so I just hoped for the best with the other 2--since he was just a baby, everything was fine there too.
My husband took Abbey to meet Jada before she came home with us--they seemed to get along, so we brought her home. Riley could care less about anyone (but me), and Kito hates everyone anyway so Abbey had to choose her.

Everyone had a few scuffles, but everything got straightened out!!

I can't wait to "meet" Smokey's new friend

[tatsxxx11]

Oh Liz!!! I'm so excited for you and Smokey!!! Looking foward to the updates and hearing who the lucky winner is, because any pup that lands in your arms, is one fortunate doggie indeed Good luck in your search