Are Two DSs Better Than One?

[centrop67]

I notice that most of the regular posters on this site have multiple dogs. Not always more than one DS, but generally two or three dogs.


Maggie Fan posted a question that prompted me to search the Pet Harbor site for dogs at the Miami-Dade shelter, and they just got a ~2 year old DS on Sunday.


I have had Radar for just few a months, so I don't know if he's ready for a brother Or, if I want the challenge of a 2nd DS.


I had a positive experience bringing a new dog into the family with my wild Lab. I just don't know if its the right time for Radar.


Thoughts? Suggestions?


Link to the dog: http://www.petharbor.com/pet.asp?uaid=MIAD.A1431855

[Maggie Fan]

If your first instinct is that it's not the right time for a second dog, then you are probably correct.

[LyonsFamily]

I personally like to wait for one dog to be fully trained before adding a second. The training is so much easier and you can do a lot of "shadow" training. 2 years apart is my general rule. y promise to my husband is to have Odin's UKC agility champion title before adding a 2nd.

You mentioned Radar is still going through reactivity training, so I would personally want to see that more solid before getting another dog, especially a rescue with an unknown past.

NADSR has a rescue hold on that dog, so don't feel like you have to rush into this decision because you need to save the dog. If you're serious about considering another, put in an application to foster with NADSR for this or another dog and see how it would go.

[johninny]

I had spotted this dog and thought that he looked totally awesome - that he seems quite un-intimidated by his questionable surroundings. it speaks volumes to his character. of course, he may have other flaws, but that kind of courage goes a long ways with me.
having said all that, Stephanie could not possibly be more right. I just went through the experience of taking in within 12 hours of each other 2 DS rescue pups with rough edges [ one very raw, both about 8 months old]. either one by himself would have been an utter joy, and fairly fun and easy to train, but together they were having too much fun and thought I was a spoil sport. I was out-numbered and did not have an elder-statesman to back me up and show them how it is done.
so I REALLY know that Stephanie knows her stuff. but I am so bad, if I lived there, I would not be able to resist visiting that dog since his photo makes him seem so stable and confident. maybe he is spectacular; [maybe not]. even with my recent experience, i would probably at least want to be his foster.

training-wise, it is probably not the right time for Radar. and unless the new rescue was already fairly perfect [ which he could possibly be ] , 2 fairly new dogs could be very, very, very challenging [ omg!! ].
but to get to unanswered parts of your question [ or implied question], most people here, myself included, are addicted to and obsessed by the unique and magical charms of the DS breed. and now that i have finally had 2 at one time, i can say they really thrive off of each other's presence. it was always obvious that DSs recognize each other [ even as strangers ] from quite a distance and reserve affection and enthusiasm for their brothers and sisters that they seldom show other dogs. to say the least, they have their own unique [ well probably shared with mals] language and set of rules, so that you only see the complete DS at play when there is another DS to play with; it is awesome! but the 2 living together really brought round-the-clock joy and contentment to each other's lives.
but what Stephanie said IS right!

[centrop67]

I am relieved to hear that NADSR is involved in this dog, and he has a chance for a great future.

I realize that the shelter has an overwhelming task of finding forever homes for all different kinds of animals, but they do so little (almost nothing) to screen the potential homes.

I think my first instinct upon seeing this dog was concern that he would become a repeat guest at the shelter. Rocky (his shelter name) is a gorgeous dog, and could easily end up with someone less committed to the task of raising this kind of dog.

Thanks for the answers and thoughts. You've really brought some clarity to my head.

I do want a second dog, and I've always felt that Radar needed at least a year with us to really bond. However, sometimes an opportunity comes along and you need to act on it. In this case, I think more time and training with Radar is my best action.

That said, I think I may go meet Rocky at lunch today - I work only 10 minutes away from the shelter.

What's the process to foster for NADSR?

BTW: There's another dog listed as a "terrier mix" that looks an awful lot like a DS.

[Lauren]

Two Dutchies playing and living together are a joy to behold. You have already been given great advice. I have fostered for NADSR and am doing it again. I can say that they are wonderful to work with. They communicate well and place these dogs well. They also listen to your needs as a foster parent and work with those. I would not hesitate to try it!

It is very tough yet rewarding work. At the very least you could see the joy of two Dutchies flying through the yard and know that you gave him a safe place to land while his perfect home is found.


I added our second Dutchie when the first was only 6 months old (but fairly well trained) and it has been WONDERFUL! My husband works one and I work one. If I were the only trainer/walker/feeder/cuddler at our house I might feel overwhelmed. And I agree that DS's know each other. My normally reactive girl didn't so much as raise a back hair when she met the new foster.

Let us know how the lunch visit goes~

[Dutchringgirl]

I have two DS's. Most days I think I am insane for having two, but they are both such opposites that they compliment each other. I agree with every one else, If your gut is telling you not the right time, listen and wait. I understand it is so hard to see the little stripy faces and not want to bring them all home. I love having two dogs, always have and always will. It is so great for them to have doggy friends to play with. Although, Thalie is really just a chew toy for Sadie, but Thalie really loves Sadie. I dont know if I would ever have two DS again though, if I had two Sadies, I would be in reahab now.

[centrop67]

I went to meet Rocky at the shelter, and I can't think of an outcome worse than the one I had.

He was not in his kennel in the viewing area, so I went to the office to inquire thinking he may be getting his check-up or even neutering. Not the case.

Apparently, he was confiscated from his owner, and was involved in a bite incident. The kennel paperwork had AGGRESSIVE in big bold letters, and someone had hand-written "will bite" on the paper.

The shelter employee "Michael" I spoke to coldly informed me "that dog isn't going anywhere," and he will be euthanized.

Does anyone know why they would advertise a dog in this situation on an adoption website?

I am sad and upset, and I feel helpless. I believe that some human messed up, and now this dog is going to pay for it.

[johninny]

I called after reading your report. I guess that guy meant no one will adopt him, because some woman told me he will bite and will have his ''stray hold'' expire on 3/21 - so in her version, it is back to stray as opposed to confiscation. when I asked about the inconsistencies, I was asked to hold and hung up after 12 minutes [ on cell traveling ].
sorry for your very upsetting lunch break - especially when you were probably expecting a lift. it sounds like multiple humans have messed up. I am thinking - if he was not confiscated - that he bit someone somewhere in the capture/holding process, especially since there is no mention of any of this in his ''ad'' of in the look of the photo.it may be that he has not reacted well to being in prison like that recent posting by abmcr referred to.
I will try them again and see if I can find someone to talk to that possesses half the intellect of a DS.

[LyonsFamily]

Apparently, he was confiscated from his owner, and was involved in a bite incident. The kennel paperwork had AGGRESSIVE in big bold letters, and someone had hand-written "will bite" on the paper.

The shelter employee "Michael" I spoke to coldly informed me "that dog isn't going anywhere," and he will be euthanized.

Does anyone know why they would advertise a dog in this situation on an adoption website?

I am sad and upset, and I feel helpless. I believe that some human messed up, and now this dog is going to pay for it.

Many times the posts from those shelters are made by volunteers that don't have a ton of knowledge/authority in the shelter. They just post what's on the cards and their own opinions. Since he was posted on the urgent group, he may just be rescue only.

I know personally, a lot of these dogs do not show well in the shelter. Odin would show horribly, and because he has a bite record with the city from a non-aggressive incident where he broke skin on an elderly neighbor feeding him treats, in our city shelter, he would be listed as un-adoptable and available as rescue only.

It's possible that the person you talked to doesn't know what's fully going on, or it's possible that the situation changed since he got there and the initial internet listing was made.

He may have bitten an employee, he may also be on a rabies quarantine while they're running the case. I think it's bad that they might get someone's hopes up with posting them, but sometimes posting them before the hold is up is the only way they can give time to arrange for a rescue to pull, in the chance that the dog will be available after the holding time.

It says on the facebook listing that he's on hold until the 21st.That sounds like a rabies quarentine required because he bit someone in that case, the general public can't see him until then and they can't make any euthanasia decisions until then as well.

[Dutchringgirl]

oh boy, this is sad. Poor fella.

[centrop67]

Intake type: Confiscate

The "WILL BITE" is handwritten on the back.

[LyonsFamily]

Intake type: Confiscate

The "WILL BITE" is handwritten on the back.

It doesn't look like the dog is marked as unadoptable, which is probably a good thing. Miami Dade has very strict dangerous dog laws and the dog can get confiscated after 1 bite. It's hard to know the circumstances and if the owner or victim saw signs of defense and ignored them.

"Will Bite" was probably written by the vet or staff as a warning for those cleaning/walking. When I worked in a vet clinic, we had to put will bite stickers on any quarantine case or dogs that acted strange or scared coming in. It's not necessarily a bad dog out of the shelter, but it serves as a warning that only experienced workers should tend to the dog and the dog should be muzzled for complicated procedures.

If the dog ends up being adoptable after the hold, you do need to think about if you have the time and resources to work with this dog.

[centrop67]

It doesn't look like the dog is marked as unadoptable, which is probably a good thing. Miami Dade has very strict dangerous dog laws and the dog can get confiscated after 1 bite. It's hard to know the circumstances and if the owner or victim saw signs of defense and ignored them.

In person at the shelter, I got the really bad impression that this dog is in trouble.

After not finding anyone to talk to in the viewing area, I went to the adoption information desk - probably manned by volunteers. After looking Rocky up on the computer, the person insisted I talk to one of the employees for more information and escorted me to an office where I met Michael.

I asked Michael about the Dutch Shepherd and he immediately responded that the dog wasn't going anywhere and that he will be euthanized. He looked something up on his computer, and said "yeah, if there's any chance, which I don't think there is, he would go back to his owners."

He then got up and walked out of the office like I wasn't even there. I stood there for a minute stunned.

It says on the facebook listing that he's on hold until the 21st.That sounds like a rabies quarentine required because he bit someone in that case, the general public can't see him until then and they can't make any euthanasia decisions until then as well.

- They do have a quarantine area not accessible to the general public, but Rocky's kennel was in the general adoption viewing area.

I just wanted to meet Rocky to get a sense of whether another DS was in my future. I never in my wildest dreams thought I would come back so heartbroken.

[Dutchringgirl]

It dosnt sound good for this doggy . There could be a DS in your future, just not this one. Its sad but having another dog so new into your home, this would not be a good match IMO.

[Lauren]

It dosnt sound good for this doggy . There could be a DS in your future, just not this one. Its sad but having another dog so new into your home, this would not be a good match IMO.

I agree. Poor guy. Maybe after the hold the owners have the right to come and pay a fine, or appeal but they are just not likely to? Sorry that your visit went so badly.

[Boogies]

Another possibility is that he really is dangerous. Bringing him into your home could result in injury to you, your other dog or others. If he has a record and accidentally gets loose and bites someone, you'd be in big trouble. Even without lawsuits and cancelled insurance policies, how would you feel if he did serious damage to someone? Even the most experienced handlers like police and military, where dogs are allowed to bite, don't want to be burdened by unstable temperaments.

It's a hard and painful lesson but you will have the chance to rescue another dog later. There is an endless supply.

[Sugars Mom]

I just wanted to meet Rocky to get a sense of whether another DS was in my future. I never in my wildest dreams thought I would come back so heartbroken.

Hey, I completely understand...I just went through something similar myself. And I was surprised by how much the little guy I had met had stolen my heart.

I've just been focusing my energy on the one I have and that is helping me.