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Adding a Swissy

   
Addison

358407		 
 
Barked: Thu Dec 6, '07 2:47pm PST 
I am concidering adding another Swissy to the family. Addison is about 1 year and 8 months now, and thinking about adding a 14 week old male. Are two dogs better than one?? What are the things I need to concider?
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Greta, CGC

Please pet me,- PLEASE, PLEASE,- PLEEEEZE!		 
 
Barked: Thu Dec 20, '07 6:02am PST 
Wow, where to begin?!?! We got Jack, our Great Pyrneees (he was 2 months) when Greta, our Swissy was 8 months old and they became fast friends. It's easier in terms of not having to constantly entertain your single dog because they play together... BUT if they are the same age (or still both puppies, like mine were) that means that you are pretty much a referee 24/7. My dogs want to wrestle non-stop and that means that furniture gets knocked all over the place, beverages aren't safe anywhere, and cats must run for cover! You also have to be careful because their large breed joints are fairly fragile while they're growing so you can't just let them go at it as they please. Let's just say that "STOP" and "ENOUGH" are two commands that are repeated quite often in our house.

Now, would I make a different decision knowing this now? No. We like knowing that they have each other for company while we're at work during the day. Even though Jack is still enclosed in the laundry room we often come home and Greta is laying right outside the gate in the hallway or you'll see her stick her nose over to say hi as she walks by. A It's also great to watch them play together outside and to lay by each other in the house - when they aren't trying to play WWE!

Greta was a "velcro dog" and would follow us around pretty much nonstop looking for attention and reassurance. Then we got Jack and she started to detach from us a bit, which was good for her (and us!). She still much prefers people to other dogs (including Jack) but she doesn't NEED our attention 24/7 and she is definitely bonded to Jack as well. She was also a bit socially retarded with other dogs until Jack came around and now she's MUCH better in groups of dogs.

I think it's sort of like having two kids. You want them to be friends and hang out and entertain each other, but you also need to be the referee and to make a concerted effort to spend alone time with each of them so they can become healthy individuals as well.

Good luck whatever you decide!
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Addison

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Barked: Sun Dec 23, '07 9:27am PST 
Thanks for you advise and insight into owning two dogs. I havn't ever owned two at the same time before, but I sure would like to!! I think I will definitely get a friend for Addison, but I might just have to wait a little longer do so. Thanks again!
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