Hey guys! After much research, questions to Honey's trainer and to dog breeders and rescue centres. I have come to the decision after thinking I would either get CKS or GSD I have decided to get a GSD. I am going to get a rescue GSD from a GSD rescue centre whom now of my health and about Honey. I just wanted to ask what would be the best way to introduce Honey and the GSD? Obvisouly I know they won't be able to sleep in the crate for a bit and once they are used to one another will they be able to be left alone? I go to the Co-op sometimes that is five mins away from my house and at the most I will be out for twenty miniutes. Honey just sits on the chair looking out the window. I am sure the rescue centre will give me lot's and lot's of information. But I keep asking them so many questions I feel as though I am bombarding with loads of questions. I just wanted to let you guys know what I have decided as you was so kind with my questions on the breed of GSDS.
I've always found taking them for a walk together is the best thing to do. If they are ok together get them both to sit and give treats to reinforce the good vibes. I'm keeping my fingers crossed you don't have to wait long. I will give you one tip though, no tug toys. I did all the ground work bringing a 3rd dog in just for it to fall apart over a tug toy. It's one of those things that will come with time and the dogs trusting one another.
some GSD rescues for you! ARAS and German Shepherd Inn: Bedford: http://www.arasrescue.co.uk: Mainly German Shepherds, but all needy dogs are taken in and given care and attention until they can be rehomed. Always have German Shepherds of varying ages requiring new homes. Biggsd: http://biggsd.com: Biggsd helps to coordinate the rescue and rehoming of GSDs throughout the UK. There are always many GSDs (and a few other breeds) featured on the site looking for new homes. There is also an active community of GSDs lovers and experts offering advice on the forum. Cefni German Shepherd Rescue: National: http://www.cefni-german-shepherd-rescue.co.uk various topics from behavioural problems, health, breed, general interest, animal care, dog handling and many more. German Shepherd Dog Rehoming~ North East: Newcastle: http://www.gsd-rehoming.freeserve.co.uk: North East based GSD rehoming organisation German Shepherd Forum: Leeds, Yorkshire, UK: http://www.germanshepherdforum.co.uk: Not just a forum, this is a web site with a forum attached. For all German Shepherds, Owners and Enthusiasts. Includes online forum and rescue page German Shepherd Rescue Scotland: http://german-shepherd-rescue-scotland.org.uk: Rescuing and re-homing German Shepherds in Scotland. Also have an online store selling great GSD gifts. German Shepherd Rescue South: Ashford, Middlesex: http://www.german-shepherd-rescue-hampshire.org.uk: Home rescue,re-homing unwanted German Shepherd Dogs in Home Counties, Hampshire, Surrey, Bedfordshire, Kent, Berkshire German Shepherd Rescue UK Ltd: Scotland/North England/Birminghams: http://www.germanshepherdrescue.co.uk: German Shepherd rescue and rehoming service German Shepherds UK: http://www.germanshepherdsuk.co.uk/forum Forum all about the breed of German Shepherds HUGS Rescue: Powys/Wales: http://www.hugsrescue.co.uk: Hope and Understanding for German Shepherd dogs. A newly formed rescue, based in mid-Wales, dedicated to the rescue, assessment & rehoming of gsds. Maggies pet rescue & rehoming service: Pitsea Essex: www.maggiespetrescue.co.uk: Rescue and where possible rehoming of healthy german shepher dogs. Second-Chances gsd rescue: Edinburgh, Scotland: http://www.second-chances.com: German Shepherd rescue organisation for Scotland and north england, we are a registered Scottish charity No 28175 Southern Counties GSD Rescue: Home Counties: http://southerncountiesgsdrescue.co.uk: re-homing stray, abused, and unwanted German shepherd dogs and poundies throughout the home counties Sussex German Shepherd Rescue: National organisation: http://www.sussexgermanshepherdrescue.co.uk Rescue and re-homing throughout the UK and Ireland please come and join our forum. Lancashire gsd rescue: Preston lancashire: http://www.lancsgsdrescue.co.uk Rescuing and rehoming German Shepherds in Lancashire and surrounding areas and North Wales. Please note that we are unable to take dogs with behavioural problems but can give you names of good dog trainers in our area Watford German Shepherd Help and Information: Watford, Hertfordshire: http://www.gsdhelp.info: We offer free help and advice to German Shepherd dog owners on topics such as Health and behaviour issues. Wiltshire German Shepherd Rescue: http://www.wiltshiregermanshepherdrescue.co.uk: Rescue for German Shepherds in need of a new home in Wiltshire and the South West. (Forum style site)
I would never leave one of my small dogs in a crate with one of my bigger dogs even though they all live together. I never left my GSDs(who all had impeccable temperaments)with my Cavaliers either. My Cavaliers were/are crated.
Thank you everyone for your replies My sister had her CKS sleep with her BM and they did get a long very well but he was older and her CKS was a pup. May I ask why you don't have your little dog sleep with the bigger ones? I didn't think it would be a good idea so will keep Honey in her own crate. Also Jodeeuk may I ask obvisouly apart from the size what differences do you find in CKS and GSD? Thank you for the information littlefoot how would you go about introducing a new dog into the actual house? And thank you GSDlover4ever for the sites but I have found a great rescue which is where I will get the GSD from.
I never leave my Cavaliers alone with my bigger dogs because they are little s*ds at winding them up-they do sleep together , just not crated though. Never crated a GSD other than a young puppy. All my dogs sleep with me LOL on a night Not a lot of difference apart from the size as all my GSDs were mega friendly(something I require from all my GSDS) & that they both need mental stimulation-just at different levels & Cavaliers are not so forgiving if you don't get the training right first time-they switch off & go & do something more interesting(to them)
Thank you JodeeUK for your reply. I just asked as my sister finds that smaller dogs don't listen to you as well as larger dogs. I usually let Honey sleep with me but when I got the trainer in (as Honey was getting a bit to big for her boots) said she needed tobe crate trained again as I was spoiling her a bit too much. I miss her though. Do you think the GSD would be able to sleep in my room or would you recommend crate training?
Hi guys, I just wondered would a bitch GSD be ok for Honey? I have heard that bitches don't get along but my friend has two bitches (two different breeds) that get along fine.
I think it depends on the specific dog. What ageis Honey? Is she spayed? What age range of dog are you planning getting? My GSD is okay with bitches, but she prefers the boys and can be such a flirt! lol
Thank you GSDlover4ever for your reply She will be 18 month on the 18th of this month. Yes she was spayed before she went into season as this is what the vet said would be best for her. I am planning on getting a GSD older than Honey at least two years old. Aww bless that is really cute!
I`ve had a pair of bitches twice. One pair loved each other and were inseparable. However they were introduced when one was tiny and the GSD adopted her. The other pair wouldn`t sit in the same room as each other. No aggression - they just didn`t want to share a space. In your situation I`d be looking at a neutered male as that will be least threatening to your resident bitch.
Yes, I agree. Better safe than sorry - it would be awful to get a rescue and then have to give her up because they didn't get on, not good for any of you.
Best of luck with whatever you decide. The rescue, I imagine, will be able to give you lots of help and advice. If and when you find a dog you like and have taken honey along and introduced them either on a walk or whatever, perhpas the rescue would consider letting you have the dog over a weekend just to confirm that everything will be ok at home between the two dogs. I don't know if every rescue would agree to this but I know one other dogsey member (Tom the lurcher's Mum) who has just rehomed a beautiful greyhound (Belle) and she initially took her for the weekend to see how things went and she is still there now!! Just a thought. Keep us posted xx
I would look at rescues and perhaps go for a GSD that's in a foster home, preferably with smaller dogs. I've known a few GSDs to have issues with smaller dogs, and given their size, it's important to get one that's happy with smaller dogs as they could do a lot of damage if they're not. A dog in a foster home will be more accurate to judge than one that's only met small dogs on the odd occasion. I had two bitches that didn't get along but it wasn't really planned circumstances, my dad brought the second bitch home from someone who couldn't keep her and unfortunately both bitches were just about to come into season, both were quite stubborn, and the first GSD also had bad hip dysplasia which had quite an effect on her temperament. We had to rehome the second bitch as they ended up having to be kept totally seperated and it wasn't working out. However, I've heard of large groups of GSDs, including numerous bitches, living together just fine, so it depends on the dogs. Also, one thing that did stick out to me, you mention that you're home most of the time and just occasionally pop out. With GSDs, I find it very important to get them acclimatised to being left, as they're more prone to seperation anxiety than some dogs. If it were me, I'd probably make a point of leaving the dogs (or even just the GSD - you could take Honey out for a nice one-to-one walk) alone for more than 5 minutes, because the last thing you want is a large breed dog that doesn't handle being left alone, just incase you find yourself stuck out away from home for longer than planned.
Thanks guys for all your replies! Honey is very dominant when it comes to smaller dogs or dogs her size. But my friend has a bitch that is a staffy. And the first time he brought her to my house they got along perfectly played with one another for hours and I mean hours and when Honey got a bit daft the staffy all she had to do was look at Honey and she would submiss and in her own home! Which I was pretty suprised about:-o Yes I am going to ask if there are obvisouly GSD's that are fine with smaller dogs and if possible I could look after a GSD over the weekend to see how things go on. Also krylr when I do go out with my friends I always make sure someone else is in the house for Honey to be left with if I am going to leave her for long. But I have been told by her trainer that she needs to be left on her own and that I need to be putting in her crate when we all leave her. I hate leaving her and my mum thinks it's cruel lol. But thank you for the information I didn't realize they needed to be left alone but I supposse all dogs do.
Thank you Berger! I will ask if they would be willing for me to have the dog I am looking to adopt for the weekend. I will keep you posted on what happens and many thanks xx
I just personally think it's better for the dog to get used to being left just incase. For example, if your car broke down away from home and the person dogsitting had to leave to get their kids to school or something, at least if Honey is used to being left, it's not going to be a mad rush to try to find someone to go around and look after her. You may find that with another dog, Honey is better at being left anyway.
