MC Posted February 4, 2009 Report Share Posted February 4, 2009 Guys, I need some advice, I have been offered another springer, from a friend who can't cope with him. What I would like your opinions on is, is it a good idea to bring a another dog into the home where Merlin is as he is only coming up to 4 years old and is coming on well and starting to be an excellent shooting companion. Will bringing in another younger dog upset that or will it help having company for him? I have always thought about getting another dog and really would like to rehome this dog as he is a lovely dog but I am having doubts. The last thing I want to do is upset Merlin as he really is my soul mate and he dotes on me. What do you reckon? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new to the flock Posted February 4, 2009 Report Share Posted February 4, 2009 If you have time to train, work/hunt two dogs and they get along then I would say go for it. The will be company for not only you but each other aswell. NTTF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted February 4, 2009 Report Share Posted February 4, 2009 Merlin will love the company but it will tripple your training workload as two dogs lead each other astray particularly springers. Ideally you will train them separately and by the sounds of it the new dog will need a lot of work especially if you don't want to undo your good work on merlin so far. Its one thing taking on a young pup but another with a full grown dog thats not been trained, I'd think twice about it as it could easily have you pulling your hair out. But if another home wasn't found I'd probably end up taking it anyway being a softie :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chippy18 Posted February 4, 2009 Report Share Posted February 4, 2009 How old is the other dog? My second springer was one I was asked to have and was older than my first springer, who I had from a pup and is as my Wife says "My Shadow" so I had some worries too. But I gave it ago and to start with there was a bit of sulking by my younger dog but within a week or so of showing him nothing had changed apart from there being another dog about he just accepted it. Now they act like they have always been around each other. Personally for me it worked, If anything it was probably harder for me to get used to having two dogs around than for the dogs themselves. I say give it ago. Good Luck Cheers :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Posted February 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 4, 2009 Merlin is coming up to 4 years old and the other dog is just 2 years old. I have the time to train them both and the other dog has had basic training at the same club I go to so I don't see that as being the issue. I am more concerned about putting Merlins nose out of joint. He is and will remain my No'1 dog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted February 4, 2009 Report Share Posted February 4, 2009 whats he like with other dogs when they visit your house? if he's fine then I can't see any issues with another coming into the house and he will find it company. If the other dog is part trained then go for it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Posted February 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 4, 2009 Merlin loves other dogs, he will always play with them when they come to the house. There is never any signs of aggression or fighting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suffolk shooter Posted February 4, 2009 Report Share Posted February 4, 2009 MC, If the other dog is the one I think it is, then he has stayed away with other springers for two to three days before now and he has got on extremely well with them. The dog in question retrieved extremely well on saturday for us, getting a hen pheasant that had dropped a leg in a steep sided ditch, as well as finding a woodcock straight off without even seeing where it had dropped in a thick bramble covered ditch. As you say Merlin gets on well with other dogs, as does this one. Whilst having the two together permanantly is a different kettle of fish, I have no doubts both you and Merlin can deal with it. If I didn't think that I wouldn't have told P to contact you in the first place. As I said previously, Its a real shame that P is doing this and even more so that I just don't have the room as this is a springer that's a bit rough around the edges, but one I would love to have. The only thing I can think of is that they will both pick up any bad habits from each other, but I have no doubt that you'd be able to deal with that if and when it happens. SS :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SA1Gunner Posted February 4, 2009 Report Share Posted February 4, 2009 I am just looking at this from the viewpoint of common sense, I wouldn't take the 2 nd dog unless I was sure they would both get on, as if they don't get on and Merlin gets his nose put out of joint, you may undo all the good work you have done to him up to now. If they get on there is only a small chance it will affect Merlin. Either way I wish you good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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