Should I Get Another Dog?

[Twi]

My Dad recently had one of these (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lm2eYVQFVKA) come into work the other day. For some strange reason, he fell in love with the dog and now is seriously considering getting one. It's called a Pomapoo, and is a cross between a Pomeranian and a Poodle.

Normally, I'd be all for getting another dog. I love dogs, and the dog is so :rainbow::bowrain:ing adorable, but I'm not sure how my current dog would be.

Y'see, Tally is an attention whore. It's how she's always been. Hell, she runs around the house and whines piteously when we have guests over, or whenever she's not the center of attention (if I'm sitting on the swing outside with my Dad, she crawls in between us, or if I'm hugging one of my parents, she'll butt her head in). I'm just afraid that Tally would be really alienated and upset if we got another dog because she'd have to share her spotlight, her food, and her chance for affection with some other dog.

On the other hand, Tally is ten years old, and is reduced to a shivering lump on the floor whenever the whole family leaves. Her separation anxiety has become more and more noticeable over the years, and my parents feel that getting another dog would help her out a bit. She can't stand to be away from people, and has to have someone with her at all times to the point where she can hardly ever sleep by herself in her own bed. She usually sleeps with my Mom, my sister, or myself if the former two aren't home.
My parents also feel that getting another dog will help soften the blow for when Tally eventually dies. She's in good shape right now (albeit on the fat side), and still acts like a two-year old. She also has the whole spayed and female thing going for her, which puts her ahead of our last two dogs who were male.

It's up to my sister and I if we want another dog because we'd be pitching in to pay for it. As much as I'd love a cuddly Pomapoo, I love my current dog too much and don't want to see her upset or jealous.

What do you think, RWP?

[Al K. Holic]

I'm not sure, but I do know what's it like for another dog to get jealous. We have a schnauzer who has been the only dog in the house, for 7 years. Just 4 months ago, we got a bulldog. Needless to say, she doesn't like the bulldog, tries to get us to pay attention to her instead of the bulldog, and growls at the bulldog and snaps at her when she comes near her.

[Twi]

My neighbor had an interesting variation. He had a much older (12 at the time maybe?) male mixed dog and got a female Beagle puppy. As the Beagle aged, she eventually became the dominant dog and bossed the male around. Maybe it was just in her nature as the male was very obedient, quiet, and had a good temperament.

Tally is practically bipolar. She'll be running around the house barking at people outside, but if she hears a loud noise, she's hiding behind the nearest person or table.

My parents think she'll love having another dog to play with, because she loves to play with other dogs, but my parents also think that Tally loves everyone equally, when she clearly prefers my Dad, Mom, Sister (interchangeable), and then me. Granted, I pay the most attention to her and may be prone to hugging her for extended periods when she wants to move...

It's really up in the air on how she'd be. :/

Edit: Making this really hard. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vheJHVUunic&feature=rec-LGOUT-exp_fresh+div-1r-2-HM)

[Al K. Holic]

Heh. Already, our bulldog is pretty much the dominant one. Probably because she's about 3 times the size of our other schnauzer (Daisy is her name).

[Twi]

The personality of the dog would come into play as well. If he or she is as big an attention whore as Tally is, heads are gonna roll. But I've never seen Tally back down against another dog. She would never bite another dog, but she does like to let everyone know that she's the best and that she's better than everyone else.

Ideally, a dog who is content with Tally receiving most of the attention is probably the best option. But, he can't be against hugging and cuddling, because he's gonna get plenty of the from me. <3

[MetalHeroOfTime]

GO FOR IT, MAN!

Your dog might be a bit jealous at first, but after awhile I'm pretty sure they'll get along. But then again, I'm no Caesar Millan

[Bartimaeus]

I say no. I've watched too many Dog Whisperer episodes to not tell where this is going to go. Only if you get one that's older, unexcitable, and very undominant in behavior. Size doesn't matter - only the personality does.

[ConkerKing]

I voted yes because I like dogs.

[BobbyTheCat]

I voted Other because I like cats.

You should get a cat.

[DarkJinjo]

It would be kinda f***ed up to Tally but you're the human. Do what you want.

4,000th post

[Snagprophet]

I really want a dog. Especially a border collie http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uw0HYcE4438&feature=related

[Bartimaeus]

It would be kinda f***ed up to Tally but you're the human. Do what you want.

4,000th post

It isn't going to be Tally that regrets it though - it's going to be Twilight. Watch a few dog shows like Dog Whisperer where they have situations like this, (which happens all the time because the silly humans always think it's 'going to be fine'), and it turns out horribly.

[TRBB]

I might be able to help Twi, but first tell me what kind of dog Talley is. You see my cousins have a White Great Dane and he is also very old and loves attention.

Just 2 years ago, they got a baby Great Dane and he was so small I could carry him in my arms. When I visited a year ago, he was a big as the White Great Dane was! While they both love attention and I've never seen them fight.

As far my knowledge goes, big dogs get along with other big dogs, BUT one of them is very old. I think Talley knows her time is coming and she probably wouldn't mind a little dog like that for company. I just can't see a big dog beating up on a little one.

Our neighbor has a Golden Retriver and she pays no attention to my Schnauzer. He simply doesn't bother her.

(I'll leave out names for reasons unknown.)

[Twi]

Tally is a German Shorthaired Pointer. Both my parents and I agree that we can't see Tally being violent with another dog, puppy or not.

My parents are actually going to see a breeder this Sunday and plan to buy this little guy here (http://www.puppyfind.com/member_photos/full/x/xf4ap72dq4f.jpg) if they like him and nothing is wrong. His name is Polar, and he's twelve weeks old. My Mom was hoping he'd be older, but we want to find a dog that's within driving distance, and he's the only one.

My Dad is a little unsure about the dog's name though. I feel that if he answers to Polar, than we should keep it that way, but if he's not responding to it, we might change it.

If we do change the name, what should we call him?

[InTrepidCognito]

For some strange reason, he fell in love with the dog

Uh-oh.

[Twi]

We found some other dogs we like better. (http://pics.hoobly.com/full/F4WS4JBNUWQE.jpg)

I don't know the names of these two, but whichever one is the male is the one we're getting tomorrow. We're trying to decide names. Both of my parents like Skupper, because that was the name of a dog they knew up north, and it's different.

Any name suggestions?

[Smouvy]

My Dad recently had one of these (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lm2eYVQFVKA) come into work the other day. For some strange reason, he fell in love with the dog and now is seriously considering getting one. It's called a Pomapoo, and is a cross between a Pomeranian and a Poodle.

Who wouldn't fall in love with a dog like that? :wub

[Twi]

WE GOT HIM.

But he's passed out in his little bed now, so pics later when he's awake. :3

HE LOVES TO CUDDLE.

[Smouvy]

HE'S NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO LOVES TO CUDDLE! :-/

[BobbyTheCat]

I like cuddling :3

[Twi]

He kept me up all night. D:

[BobbyTheCat]

He kept me up all night.

that sounds funny

[Twi]

5:30 in the morning, and Scuppy's going to town on a toy next to the kitchen table.

They start young, don't they?

[Smouvy]

Pics please :3

[Twi]

Here he is. :P (http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/190567_156058281114191_100001300613237_261675_7854 217_n.jpg)

[Korra]

Oh sweet lord that is an adorable dog!

[Smouvy]

Here he is. :P (http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/190567_156058281114191_100001300613237_261675_7854 217_n.jpg)

B'awwwwww :wub

[BobbyTheCat]

Here he is. :P (http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/190567_156058281114191_100001300613237_261675_7854 217_n.jpg)

:wub .

[Keegan]

We found some other dogs we like better. (http://pics.hoobly.com/full/F4WS4JBNUWQE.jpg)

Idk I really like the one in the middle.

[Al K. Holic]

Here he is. :P (http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/190567_156058281114191_100001300613237_261675_7854 217_n.jpg)

Cute little guy.

[Teto]

Third option
Cut current dog in half
Grow new dogs from the two halves

[Al K. Holic]

Third option
Cut current dog in half
Grow new dogs from the two halves

Quite twisted, I'd say.

[Oz the Gay and Powerful]

Depends

[BobbyTheCat]

Idk I really like the one in the middle.

Me too. I like the fur color

[Twi]

Scuppy looks like a baby Wookie apparently.

Just thought I'd point that out.

Edit: Scuppy is also an excellent troll.

He'll hide under the dining room table but be out far enough so that Tally can see him, but can't get to him. Tally wants him to play, so she'll dig at the floor and bark while Scuppy jumps out a bit and then backs back under the table.

"Problem? U mad bro?"

[Tanjo]

Be really, really careful when introducing a new pet. I had to put down my cat a week ago, and I believe the stress of a new puppy we got caused her to get really sick.