[PetraCromlich]

So... i just want some input. I'm a "plan-ahead" girl and my mom will be getting married and moving out within the next 12mo, taking her GSD with her.

I like the dynamics of a 3-dog pack and have always planned on owning a total of 3.

Here's my dilema... there are a number of breeds/dogs that I like and feel would go well with my life. I just would like some ppl who maybe have some hands on experience with these to let me know their experience with them:

Giant Schnauzer, Standard Poodle, Dobe, Boston, Chinese Imperial, and Long-coated Chihuahua.

And, I may or may not steer clear of the large babies b/c as much as I adore them, right now my little guy (12lbs) tries so much to play with our GSD, but ends up under my bed or the table b/c he gets stepped on or she plays too rough. I don't think it'd be fair to him to have me bring a dog in that he wouldn't be able to play with and/or had to hide from.

I've tried to get Rhea to understand the concept of "gentle", but unsuccessful in getting her to not play so rough with him.

Have any of y'all had to train a larger dog to be gentle w/ a smaller dog? how was it accomplished? did it make much of a difference if it was an older dog (rescue/adoption) vs. one gotten as a pup?

[wentscat]

those are totally different breeds you're talking about there...
do MUCH research before buying the dog and be sure it fits your lifestyle...
because... a 6 lb chi that will have to be walked 10 mins or a 70 lb dobe that will have to be socialized heavily and need a strong owner, lots of exersice etc, there is a HUGE difference!

and it's up to you to teach the dog how to behave around others, as difficould as it could be with pups or young adults

not wanting to sound harsh but how are you going to handle a dobe if you can't get your dogs to stop playing to rough with each other?

[Muesrasrs]

I would choose a Dobe, but I just love Dobes so yeah.

My dog is probably the best I have ever seen a bigger dog be with toy breed dogs/puppies. She plays very gently with them, which is hilarious if you've ever seen how insanely rough she is with her Ridgeback boyfriends and my parents BC. I think a big part of why she is so good is her creepy level of intelligence and her desire to mother anything baby regardless of species. Like she just left to go check on the kitten she hears crying on Animal Planet in the other room. Oi.

Also, she clearly sees toy dogs as dogs; which not very many bigger dogs do. A lot of bigger dogs see them as a prey animal. The Ridgeback boys definitely do not think that small breeds qualify as dogs. Lynley is great around the doxie he was raised with, but Chicago has to be watched around him. He's matured to be very DA toward small dogs and its certainly not from a lack of socialization/training. My friend's have an odd mix of dogs floating around their house.

Bostons and Chi's can be pretty spicy around other dogs too, so it could be interesting finding a small dog that would get along with your little guy.

[healty-back]

Me? I'd go for a shelter mutt who's size is in the middle... LOL

I know what you mean, J picks on Sparkles quite a lot, without meaning to...

Out of those, I'd get a smaller Standard poodle.

[PetraCromlich]

those are totally different breeds you're talking about there...
do MUCH research before buying the dog and be sure it fits your lifestyle...
because... a 6 lb chi that will have to be walked 10 mins or a 70 lb dobe that will have to be socialized heavily and need a strong owner, lots of exersice etc, there is a HUGE difference!

and it's up to you to teach the dog how to behave around others, as difficould as it could be with pups or young adults

not wanting to sound harsh but how are you going to handle a dobe if you can't get your dogs to stop playing to rough with each other?

well, primary, the GSD is not mine. it is my mothers. although i try and work with her, at the end of the day, she is not mine to work with. loki and babygirl are and i have trained them both. Babygirl knows how to play and wrestle gently with Loki who is 12lbs.

as to the breeds, they are different in looks, and such, but all are known to be independent strong willed dogs, similar to my pit. I love dogs like that. I like working with them. And i included a chi in there b/c if raised like a normal dog and not indulged or humanized... they're awesome dogs. and it would be one that Loki could more easily play with.

to your other point, I excersice my dogs according to their energy and bodies. Loki and I run around the house and play... as does Babygirl and I, BUT i then also take her out for a long walk (3+miles) b/c she needs the larger amount of excercise. does that make sense?

and you don't come across as harsh, just tryin to be enlightening which i thank you for. but i also wanted some feedback from those who may have experience with owning these dogs and bullys.

[7HlBQS8j]

I would do lots of research on the breeds that you are looking at also take your time and enjoy the two dog pack for a little while you might find that it suits you even better

maybe find a mix breed that fits in with your dogs Marlo and Abby are the perfect match and do very well together always and that was taken into consideration upon bringing Abby into the house she was used to A lhasa and her and Marlo clicked from the start a lot of shelters will allow you to bring your dogs along and spend time with your dogs and a possible new adoptee just an idea

[ancexiaepidge]

Those dog breeds vary a lot.

I have the most experience with Dobes. My gentlest Dobe, he was well trained, great all around dog, stepped on my JRT and broke his leg. They lived together for 11 yrs and loved each other, but the size difference did create problems when the Dobe was running.

I'm fostering a Boston Terrier. He is adorable, but he has an attitude with the other dogs and only likes females. They are still a bull and terrier breed and can be quite dog aggressive.

My Mother has a Long haired Chihuahua. She is a nice dog, but I hate Chihuahuas. I just can't stand them, but other people love them. Nobody likes the same things!

No experience with the other 3 breeds. But grooming will be more expensive!

I would recommend an older rescue over a puppy. But one from a good rescue group that fosters in foster homes and know the dog very well.

[healty-back]

and them, but other people love them. Nobody likes the same things!

No experience with the other 3 breeds. But grooming will be more expensive!

I do all of my own grooming

I'd love a poodle to play with, and I like the Standards who are bred with work in mind.. Good dogs.

[PetraCromlich]

Me? I'd go for a shelter mutt who's size is in the middle... LOL

I know what you mean, J picks on Sparkles quite a lot, without meaning to...

Out of those, I'd get a smaller Standard poodle.

lol well, i do prefer goin the rescue/adoption route, but i like to find one who is a pure or mix (like through a breed specific rescue or something) so i know what i'm gettin into. lol I learned w/ Loki... it's best to be prepared instead of playing "i *think* he's this..." learning he was a BC mix, helped me IMMENSELY and him too. I now know that no matter how long we work on it, when he gets too happy and excited to see me home, he inevitably will nip me a bit to get me goin the direction he wants. knowing he's a herder has helped me not get mad that i'm a failure or mad that he's 'biting' me.

and I know Rhea (gsd) is uber smart and loves him... she just can't contain her power. she's 9mo and 75+lb and one playful paw tap sends Loki into a spin, yelping and then he hides under my bed. and i feel bad.

[gundorana]

I've never owned, but have been around (a little) the giant Poodles, and as much as I'm not a poodle person, if I ever had one, it would be those giant ones. They seem pretty cool, good personality, and durable.

[PetraCromlich]

I would do lots of research on the breeds that you are looking at also take your time and enjoy the two dog pack for a little while you might find that it suits you even better

maybe find a mix breed that fits in with your dogs Marlo and Abby are the perfect match and do very well together always and that was taken into consideration upon bringing Abby into the house she was used to A lhasa and her and Marlo clicked from the start a lot of shelters will allow you to bring your dogs along and spend time with your dogs and a possible new adoptee just an idea

for sure like i said, i'm a planner. getting another dog is not in the picture for another 10-12+ more months. but, in my course of research, i'm coming here as well to try and get some info from others who have owned/fostered/been around those breeds on TOP of having a bully/pit bull.

[healty-back]

and I know Rhea (gsd) is uber smart and loves him... she just can't contain her power. she's 9mo and 75+lb and one playful paw tap sends Loki into a spin, yelping and then he hides under my bed. and i feel bad.

That's J... 9 months, 80+lbs, and we are working hard on him trampling Sparkles, and play fighting, as his canines are the size of her whole snout... We have him lay down to play. But of course when he hurts he she goes snarky-bitch on him and he end up running off looking over his shoulder..

I'd want a dog somewhere in the middle, though. If, when Dutch passes, I want another dog I would get something between J's size and Sparkles, or a laid-back breed..

[usaguedriedax]

Well, tinkerbell use to have DA real bad until she had her pups.. now shes as calm as can be with them.. as for *gentle*.. We used treats to teach it.. we'd hold one out and if she went to demandingly grab it we closed our hands and said *gentle*. When she learned to do that consistantly.. we moved to toys.. we would throw the toy and if she ran and went to grab it with force, we firmly said *gentle*.. she would stop and pick it up with respect.. once she got that down, we had no more problems with puppies or small dogs.. sometimes she gets excited and we have to remind her *gentle* but then shes ok and usually just opens her mouth and they play...

[kertUtire]

I have a Lab/Rottweiler and two JRT's, they definitely hold their own.
They were raised together and are all within months apart, the same age.

I grew up with Boston Terriers, they are nice little dogs.

[PetraCromlich]

That's J... 9 months, 80+lbs, and we are working hard on him trampling Sparkles, and play fighting, as his canines are the size of her whole snout... We have him lay down to play. But of course when he hurts he she goes snarky-bitch on him and he end up running off looking over his shoulder..

I'd want a dog somewhere in the middle, though. If, when Dutch passes, I want another dog I would get something between J's size and Sparkles, or a laid-back breed..

i wish Rhea would run when he barked and got mad, instead she thinks it means he wants to play more. that's when he ends up hanging out under the bed.

i thought about going the "in-the-middle" route... but haven't been sold on which dog should be "in the middle". if i got a dobe or schnauzer or poodle, babygirl would be middle. if the others, loki would be more in the middle.

We used treats to teach it.. we'd hold one out and if she went to demandingly grab it we closed our hands and said *gentle*. When she learned to do that consistantly.. we moved to toys.. we would throw the toy and if she ran and went to grab it with force, we firmly said *gentle*.. she would stop and pick it up with respect.. see we've gotten the treat part down pretty well (not down pat b/c sometimes she still jumps up to grab or snatches when you get close to her mouth). but i'll try this if my mom will help me out with it-ak-