Need some advice.....
I have had 2 Corgis for the past 11 years. A few days ago, I lost my female Corgi (Maggie) to renal failure and an auto-immune condition that was producing bloodclots throughout her body. The entire family is upset - - but my husband is devasted. That was his "little girl".
So here is where I need some advice:
My husband insists on getting another female Corgi sooner than later. Our male Corgi (Monty) is also 11 and, in general, does not like other dogs. Does anyone have some advice - is it appropriate to invade Monty's space with a new puppy? He is grieving the loss of Maggie right now too - - - he is acting strange on his walks and appears to look lonely. He has been in her company constantly for the past 11 years and now she is gone.
Any advice or insight would be greatly appreciated.
Sandi
So here is where I need some advice:
My husband insists on getting another female Corgi sooner than later. Our male Corgi (Monty) is also 11 and, in general, does not like other dogs. Does anyone have some advice - is it appropriate to invade Monty's space with a new puppy? He is grieving the loss of Maggie right now too - - - he is acting strange on his walks and appears to look lonely. He has been in her company constantly for the past 11 years and now she is gone.
Any advice or insight would be greatly appreciated.
Sandi
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Derek on
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It would depend on his temperment and personality. In my experience getting a new puppy has been upsetting for the oler dogs I have known. All the attention is heeped on the new baby, often out of necessity with training and bathroom. If you think about it, getting an older dog (by older I mean just not a puppy that will be off the walls with your senior dog). It is up to you, and to a large extent up to your dog. If you can find a corgi breeder with an adult dog, corgi rescue, or a corgi on Petfinder.com and try introducing them, see how he feels. If they get along, the big hurdle has passed.
That way the dog has a more equal energy/excitement level, they are already trained (most of the time, but not always), and you will know what the new dogs temperment is going to be. With puppies you can't tell what they are going to be like when they are older.
So that is my advice. Try aiming at a corgi that is not in the puppy stages and I am sure your dog will adjust more easily to the new arrival.
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Permalink Reply by Bev Levy on
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Sandi, First let me say how sorry I am for your loss! A couple of years ago our 6 year old Buffy died also of liver failure. Sparty was almost 8. I was pretty devastated and immediately called around to get on a list for a puppy. As luck would have it the first breeder I called had a 4 month old puppy available plus a litter planned for later in the year. We went to look (famous last words) and fell in love with the 4 month old. Izzy is a beautiful, mild mannered little girl. It really helped my husband and I but I noticed that while Sparty was not mean to her, he did not pay much attention to her. It took almost a year before he played with her but he was ok with her. Now almost two years later they are very good with each other. Sparty has never played with her as much as he did with Buffy but he is older so that may account for it. Looking back I think we were fortunate to find a really good match for Sparty. The breeder asked a lot of questions about him before suggesting we take her. So call around and talk to breeders they will be a good resource. Again, sorry about Maggie, they can never be replaced!
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Permalink Reply by Jim & Sandi on
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Hi Bev:
Thanks so much for your email.
Monty and Maggie played a lot when they were younger, but haven't for many years.
I am so worried that Monty will dislike a new dog (puppy) and either become upset or angry - - - that could lead to health problems for him as well.
Thanks for the advice. I will call a breeder and bring Monty for a visit. Maybe in the compnay of other Corgis he will act differently than he normally does with neighborhood dogs.
Sandi
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Permalink Reply by Mary on
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I'm so sorry for your loss. I can hardly blame your husband, it seems like the first thing you want to do after the loss of a dog is try to fill that hole. Ask yourself if Monty tends to growl at other dogs, or just avoids them. If it's an avoidance thing, it can just be a matter of training to help him like the new addition. I've heard that feeding the dogs in separate rooms, but at the doorway so they can smell each other, can help associate the new dog as a pleasant experience. Also ask yourself if the personalities might clash. My new puppy adores my parents lab, but my parents lab cannot stand Nibbler because she can't see her (she's blind) and Nibbler is very jumpy and playful. If Monty is not the playful type or prefers his space, a new puppy might stress him out. If you think that the only problem is the fact that the puppy is new, you could slowly help Monty become more accustomed. However, if you think that Monty's personality might clash with a younger, more energetic dog, I would reconsider.
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Permalink Reply by Beth on
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I am so sorry for your loss.
If it were me, I would give Monty a little time to grieve the loss of his friend first, and then he might be ready to meet a new dog and make a new friend. Most adults will tolerate a puppy, but at 11 he will probably not want to play with one very much. Some might, but most elderly dogs will not. The other thing to consider is when the new puppy reaches adolescence, she may very well start to boss around Monty. Is that something you are prepared to deal with? It's so hard not to put our human emotions on it, and while it's normal for a young and healthy dog to take over the reins from an aging one, it's not easy to watch your beloved older pet get pushed around.
Just some things to consider. Ultimately you and your husband know better than anyone what is good for your family. Good luck with your decision.
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Permalink Reply by Jane Christensen on
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I agree with your husband...I waited a long time when I lost a dog and then I decided that life is too short. If you could maybe find a submissive pup that might be better (or a mellow rescue....maybe)...I can't really say but I think your Monty will adjust. You can expect some growls but my big dog used to do that until the pups were old enough that he didn't hurt them! If Monty is fairly active and healthy I don't see this as a problem. Have a crate for your pup so they can each have their own space and try not to give the pup more attention. Keep us updated!
So sorry for your loss!!!
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Permalink Reply by Edward and Gemima on
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I AM SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS!!!!!! WE LOST OUR PHINNEAS THIS PAST JUNE AND I DIDN'T THINK I COULD GO THROUGH ANYTHING LIKE IT AGAIN(HE WAS MY LITTLE BOY ONLY 9 MOS) HIS SISTER GEMIMA(1 YR) SURVIVED THE FATAL ACCIDENT HE WAS IN AND REALLY MISSED HIM, THEY WERE LITTER MATES!!! I CRIED AND CRIED, THEN THROUGH A SERIES OF BIZARRE COINCIDENCES WE ENDED UP WITH EDWARD!!!! HE HAS BEEN A REALLY GOOD PUPPY(5MOS NOW) I THINK HAVING ANOTHER DOG AROUND ACTUALLY HELPED A LOT WITH TRAINING ETC. WE ALSO LOOKED FOR A MORE DOCILE PUPPY TEMPERMENT- WISE AND SO I THINK THAT HAS HELPED!! GEM DID GO THRU AN ADJUSTMENT WHERE SHE IGNORED HIM A WHILE BUT IT WAS BRIEF AND THEY ARE BEST BUDS NOW!!!! YOU WILL COME TO THE RIGHT CONCLUSION I'M SURE... AN OLDER PUPPY/DOG SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD SOLUTION TOO!!! I WISH YOU THE BEST!!!
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Permalink Reply by Wendt Worth Corgi's on
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So sorry for your loss. Its never easy. This is a tough question you present. Honestly I think your the only one who can really sort it out though. If Monty is alittle on the temperamental side I suggest a more submissive pup and not one who is bold and assertive. In some ways adding a pup might brighten Monty's day and in time will be bestest of friends but then again might possibly not be such a good decision but ultimately I think the ultimate goal is picking the right pup. Dogs are pack animals and though you are not a dog, you are part of his pack but you are the leader so Monty needs to except the new member, he doesn't have to totally love her but accept her with manners. As a pack leader you will also have to teach this new member her boundaries as well to add unity to your family. It might go very smoothly or it might take lots of consistent persistance to make it work. Good luck
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