Have we left it too long ?

So, seven months after our lovely boy Murphy was pts, we decided we were ready to welcome another boy into our household to be a brother to Madge, who has (on and off) been quite sad on her own.     I say on and off as when friends and family visit or stay with their pooches, she's overjoyed to have them to play and is how she was when he was here,  then she droops again.  

As to her nature, she was very confident when Murphy was with us but since then she does show some anxiety if too much attention is paid to her by other dogs when we're out and will sometimes do the snappy growly bit (no contact though) then run off.

We've seen a couple of possible rescues, one was a too big mix and we didn't even try a greet and meet; but then we found a little 1 year old full staff in local centre and saw him on our own last week.   Lovely nature (despite dreadful first year for him) and we took to him.   So today was meet and greet -  fine at first although Madge was a bit nervous but close to the noise of the kennels not surprising.     They were ok on leads for a walk then we went to a field and all well for about 10 minutes, a bit of a spat occurred, quickly stopped by one of the kennel guys and no harm done. No one actually caught the start of it (always the same when you're trying to carefully watch).But the chief kennel lady was clearly quite upset about it and is thinking quite negatively about us as future owners of the little boy.      The proposal now is for the rescue kennels to bring him to our home, for a walk out on leads first then another try in our garden; the thinking being that she might be more self-assured away from the kennels.      So we're hoping that will go well but would be interested in anyone's similar experience and views.

sorry i have no experience in this,i would say hopefully the more time they spend with each other the better it will be,so hope when he comes to your house they will get on better

I don't have experience of this either but would do exactly as you have said in your post Wendy. The stress of the kennels could be upsetting and a calmer environment may well prove better. Given plenty of on lead socialisation this could work well.

What sort of spat was it ?... By that I mean was it a full on fight or more a telling off ? If it's the latter then it could simply be setting the order. I see this with my Flo and her Bloodhound cousins every time we meet and is sorted with a telling off from Flo and the older hound telling Flo off. They then settle straight away and all sleep happily together.

Best of luck hope it all works out well

At Danaher they always do 2 meets, one on lead and then on lead first before unclipping. Dogs can be more wary of each other the first time they meet especially, as Ian says, in the high stress environment of the kennels. At the 2nd meet the feeling is more 'oh I've met you before'.

If, though, it doesn't go so well, then the kennel staff would be right not to rehome this lad to you. They have a responsability to keep you, your dog and their dog safe.

That doesn't mean, though, that there is no dog for you. It may just be that Madge isn't keen on this particular dog. There will be another - let's face it there's no shortage of staffies in rescue! So don't feel 'we have to get this one or else'. Keep the head in the decision making process as well as the heart.

Having said that, my fingers are very firmly crossed that the home meet goes well.

Thanks all, the spat was a bit more than telling off from her as he retaliated (don't blame him either!). Next meet is Wednesday, will let you know how it goes. They do seem a very responsible rehoming centre and I will obviously be guided by them (but he is so lovely - my OH said maybe we could do a swap!) Noooooo

You will know in your heart if its right good luck for wednesday

I learned that sometimes dogs seems to dislike each other at 1st peppa will do if she thinks I give attention to the other dog but they sort it out the more they meet each other especially if they have fun together (treats, play time ..)
I would try again in a somewhere neutral not the kennels but not your home aswell so madge won't ger territorial .
Sounds like very good idea to get another dog . Good luck

She might feel more secure if you were more confident, you last dog made her feel safe and she doesn't like doing his part. Try to be calm but confident and controlled and she'll relax more at someone else taking responsibility again. She might be more accepting then of a new friend etc. best of luck.

I've found it quite difficult to bring another dog in when your current one has been on their own for quite a while. Im in the exact same situation here. We brought a rescue home not too long ago...the initial meet was in a relatively small paddock and sheara just became stupidly dominant mounting the poor boy. 'It will get better' we said. A raging fight later poor Dingo had to go back, Sheara didn't accept him at all and it was dangerous them living under the same roof unassisted.

Im going to the kennels again soon but I will definitely be suggesting we take them both for a walk together rather than in a silly paddock. and Id personally like to do this 3-4 times before even making my mind up. The excitement of being out a kennel for a rescue and the excitement of new places and new dog for your current dog just doesn't work well in my opinion.

Like humans, dogs will either like someone or they wont. You may love this new staff but Madge might not like that particular one. Guess you just have to keep going until you get it right Keep us posted!

And Good Luck x

Hope it works out on the next meet, but like others have said it may have to be a different dog for madge to accept. Let us know how it goes

So no, she made it quite clear that he was not a suitable pal for her. Disappointed but have to accept it. The rehomers will be looking out for another and from seeing her at home said they felt more confident in being able to identify one that might suit and it would probably be a boy of similar age to her with more confidence so that she can be the number two which she has been used to. So watch this space and thanks for your advice.

Sorry to hear it didn't work out but don't worry, the right pooch will come along soon enough! At least you have a bit more of a specification as to what kind of dog would be suitable now.

Keep looking x

Aww sorry to hear it didn't work out but at least you found out right at the begining. Hopefully that play mate will turn up soon Wendy

Sorry also but sure the right one is out there waiting just for you and Madge

I'm sorry it didn't work out too, but be patient and the right dog will come along, and then you'll be so glad you waited!