A friend for our 8 year old Molly

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Lisa-jc
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Joined: 15 Dec 2016, 13:27
First Name: Lisa

A friend for our 8 year old Molly

Post by Lisa-jc »

Could anyone offer any advice please.... we have an 8 year old mini called Molly and we've had her since being 8 week old. She is my baby and very much a 'mummy's girl'. She's never been great with other dogs, she can be quite snappy and will warn them off if they get too close. This is worse if the other dog is too boisterous and moving about fast, whether this be a puppy or an older dog.
So Molly doesn't really have any friends ☹️ (Apart from us) and we were wondering if we should look into getting a rescue schnauzer..... has anyone had a similar situation? We thought a rescue one would be better than trying to introduce a new puppy. And then would it be better getting a male or a female?
The last thing we want to do is upset Molly, she has a chilled out lovely life, we just want her to have some company other than just us, but I'd hate for her to feel pushed out, if that makes sense [emoji15]
Any help or advice would be much appreciated.


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zeta1454
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Re: A friend for our 8 year old Molly

Post by zeta1454 »

Hi and welcome to the Forum :)

Some dogs can be very much people orientated rather than sociable with dogs especially those outside the family environment - just as some people are very extrovert and the "life and soul of the party " personalities and others are more reserved and prefer to be with a few good friends or even on their own!

If Molly is relaxed and happy with you and enjoys an active life with your family, I would not assume that she feels she is missing out on canine companionship. You could introduce another dog or puppy but there would be no guarantee that Molly will take to the newcomer, especially given her age. Although she is not an old dog at 8 years old in terms of dog years this is quite a long period in which she will have become used to her routines and being an only dog in the household.

Rescue dogs even from backgrounds that are not the worst will always come with some issues that need addressing even just a change in their life, new environment, new routines etc and will need extra attention just as would be the case with a new puppy. Adult bitches will usually be more accepting of a puppy as a vulnerable new little life but puppies are boisterous, nippy and will demand attention which also may not suit a dog that is used to their own space and your undivided attention. The last thing you would want is to introduce a puppy or an older dog only to find out that Molly cannot cope with it and you are faced with rehoming the newcomer or stressing Molly but keeping them.

Personally, given Molly's age and that you have said she is living a chilled out lovely life with you as things are, I would enjoy the years ahead with her and not worry that she is missing out on canine company :)
Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole. ~Roger Caras

Magic - Silversocks Sharade at Darksprite
Trilby - Darksprite Rosa Bud


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Lisa-jc
Posts: 4
Joined: 15 Dec 2016, 13:27
First Name: Lisa

Re: A friend for our 8 year old Molly

Post by Lisa-jc »

zeta1454 wrote:Hi and welcome to the Forum :)

Some dogs can be very much people orientated rather than sociable with dogs especially those outside the family environment - just as some people are very extrovert and the "life and soul of the party " personalities and others are more reserved and prefer to be with a few good friends or even on their own!

If Molly is relaxed and happy with you and enjoys an active life with your family, I would not assume that she feels she is missing out on canine companionship. You could introduce another dog or puppy but there would be no guarantee that Molly will take to the newcomer, especially given her age. Although she is not an old dog at 8 years old in terms of dog years this is quite a long period in which she will have become used to her routines and being an only dog in the household.

Rescue dogs even from backgrounds that are not the worst will always come with some issues that need addressing even just a change in their life, new environment, new routines etc and will need extra attention just as would be the case with a new puppy. Adult bitches will usually be more accepting of a puppy as a vulnerable new little life but puppies are boisterous, nippy and will demand attention which also may not suit a dog that is used to their own space and your undivided attention. The last thing you would want is to introduce a puppy or an older dog only to find out that Molly cannot cope with it and you are faced with rehoming the newcomer or stressing Molly but keeping them.

Personally, given Molly's age and that you have said she is living a chilled out lovely life with you as things are, I would enjoy the years ahead with her and not worry that she is missing out on canine company :)

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Lisa-jc
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Joined: 15 Dec 2016, 13:27
First Name: Lisa

Re: A friend for our 8 year old Molly

Post by Lisa-jc »

Thank you [emoji4]
And thank you for your comments, you made a really good point that I've not actually thought of before, maybe she takes after me as I'm more of a stay at home with my family kind of person rather than going out socialising [emoji85]
Also as much as I'd love to see Molly playing and having fun with another schnauzer, I think as my eldest daughter has just moved out I'm feeling like I need to fill the void, and have always regretted not getting more than one when we got Molly.
It's a big decision and not one I will make over night. Thank you again, will definitely take on board what you have said :)


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zeta1454
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Posts: 5136
Joined: 19 May 2011, 16:58
First Name: Leigh
Dog #1: Magic
is a: P/S Mini Bitch
Born: 20 Apr 2010
Dog #2: Trilby
is a: P/S Mini Bitch
Born: 15 Mar 2012
Dog #3: Pip
Born: 21 Feb 2014
is a: P/S Mini Bitch
Location: North Yorkshire
Contact:

Re: A friend for our 8 year old Molly

Post by zeta1454 »

It is always a difficult decision introducing a second dog to the family (the third or more gets easier :)) ) as it is always uncertain how well they will be accepted by the resident dog. We rehomed a slightly older bitch from the breeder of our first dog (although they were not close relatives). Our first mini really never got on well with the second girl although later when we adopted a male puppy ( actually the first mini's nephew :) ) that worked out much better. All three got along OK of course but we did wonder if our first would have preferred to be an only dog.

Our dog was 18 months old when we got the second and really the best time to introduce another dog / puppy into the family is when the first one is fully trained and settled as you do not want to be trying to train 2 at the same time. Usually from about a year of age is good and, with a new puppy, the younger the first is, the more likely they are to enjoy playing and forming a close bond with the newcomer.

It is not impossible to introduce a new dog or puppy to an older dog as long as you look into it beforehand carefully and don't have too many expectations of how they will get on together. A family who took on a second puppy from us when their first dog was about two years old were surprised at the difference in their personality despite being related. Their first initially was not at all happy that she had a new brother but, being a playful dog that loved games, she soon came round and actually became quite possessive of him in that she wanted to be his BFF and not let any other dogs play with him :))
Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole. ~Roger Caras

Magic - Silversocks Sharade at Darksprite
Trilby - Darksprite Rosa Bud


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carolinh
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Re: A friend for our 8 year old Molly

Post by carolinh »

It's a tough call. We rehomed daisy when she was 5.(she has a trauma cataract), and May, aged 5, 3 yrs later.
Initially, they weren't great together, but now they're brilliant, they love and groom each other.
For about two weeks we worried if it would work, and after that we had no concerns....
Bestow luck whatever you decide.
Caroline
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