michael4 Posted June 13, 2006 Share Posted June 13, 2006 I'm intending to move into a rental property with a fenced backyard soon and after settling purchase either a labrador or a golden retreiver puppy. An opportunity has come up to share with a guy who has a 6 month old Jack Russell who has himself just moved into this house and was wondering if it would be a good idea to introduce a new puppy into these sorts of circumstances. I know it's a hard question not knowing how well trained his dog is, but I was wondering if anyone had any tips or suggestions that would make the introduction and settling-in comfortable for both the Jack Russel and the puppy (and the owners!) Any help greatly appreciated! Cheers all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandgrubber Posted June 13, 2006 Share Posted June 13, 2006 I'm intending to move into a rental property with a fenced backyard soon and after settling purchase either a labrador or a golden retreiver puppy. An opportunity has come up to share with a guy who has a 6 month old Jack Russell who has himself just moved into this house and was wondering if it would be a good idea to introduce a new puppy into these sorts of circumstances. I know it's a hard question not knowing how well trained his dog is, but I was wondering if anyone had any tips or suggestions that would make the introduction and settling-in comfortable for both the Jack Russel and the puppy (and the owners!) Any help greatly appreciated! Cheers all. Hi. I breed Labradors and run a boarding kennel (in which I often mix unrelated dogs for play). Interesting question. I would predict that both the JRT and your future pup would have a good time but SUPERVISION is ESSENTIAL in the beginning and you MUST have a strategy in mind for what to do if the outcome isn't good. . . Labbies (and I think goldies) are good at being gentle and attuning their behaviour to that of other dogs; JRT's are spirited and playful, and don't seem to know they're small. The mode of play is quite different for the two breeds, but pups are usually pretty good at accommodating one another. I would be more worried about having a dog as a renter . . . if you don't have a long term lease and if things in your area aren't good for getting a rental with a dog you may be setting up for trouble. Two pups can wreck havoc on a back yard!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gottalovealab Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 I thinkthe good thing that has come out of this is that the JRT is older then the lab. If it was the other way around, it would be more difficult as a 6th month lab can be very boisterous. As sanggrubber said, supervision and training is essential as your lab or golden will grow up very quickly. Because they are both young, that should warm to each without much of a fuss snd you can look forward to many fun chasey games through the house!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miranda Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 As both the dogs concerned will be puppies you probably won't have any problems introducing them. However both JRT's and labs can be very boisterous and as sandgrubber says the two of them will almost certainly destroy the backyard. Both breeds are very active and need plenty of mental as well as physical stimulation, if you both work or are away from the house for a period of time each day I think you may have a problem. Renting with dogs isn't easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael4 Posted June 16, 2006 Author Share Posted June 16, 2006 Thanks for the suggestions everyone, sounds like I'm in for a whole load of fun! I might keep my options open and browse for a house without a current 'occupant', that way I'll be assured that my pup can't be shown bad habits by someone else's pup. Or maybe consider an older dog that has already had the basic housetraining and been through the teenage years. As far as supervision goes, and having a plan for handling the tough times when I'm not at home- when that little bundle of energy is romping around like a terror, I was planning on having my partner there to supervise and play with the little fella while I dashed off to work ( I work night shift 6pm-4am 4 days/week). I'm also going to socialise the pup with other dogs at puppy pre-school early and with Mum's cats. One other thing I was going to ask about the situation is; if the house is 'dogs outside' only, is it practical, sensible, possible and/or humane to expect a little pup to spend his most vulnerable first weeks outside all the time, even when someone's home? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raz Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 Even at 6 months JRTs are incredibly strong and can play rough so I agree with Sandgrubber - supervision is essential. The timetable looks good, though. It seems there will always be someone in the house to watch the little terrors. Many time wasting hours ahead of you, Michael Your household certainly wont be boring. Pics are compulsory!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael4 Posted June 19, 2006 Author Share Posted June 19, 2006 Hi everyone- just a bit of an update. I know that I've been explaining this situation as it would apply to a 6month undesexed JRT and a prospective labrador puppy being introduced to live together, but recently my partner and I found what seemed to be a beautifully mannered German Shep cross (desexed, 1 yr old) at the local animal welfare league and thought we'd try for an introduction before purchasing her; The shepherd was such a lovely girl and quite unlike the headstrong and protective sheps I've seen in the past. She'd been brought in for digging her way out of her previous owner's yard, but I'm sure further investigation would have revealed boredom and isolation as the cause. So the two met each other today and all seemed well until the JRT started playing rough with the inevitable result that the shepherd growled and bowled it over, following it up with a few good (play?) bites. So NO was the answer to that dog, and it's such a shame too. Just can't win with German Shepherds it seems. My question to all those who are more experienced than I is will this occur with every dog we inroduce to the JRT? The owner of the JRT is insisting his dog not be bullied by "bigger" dogs, but who's the real bully and will the situation be different with say, an 8week year old labrador from a reputable breeder? His dog IS very well mannered, but I'm wondering if I'm turning away MY "best friend" just to suit his fussy Jack Russell. Love to hear from anyone. I really need help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raz Posted June 19, 2006 Share Posted June 19, 2006 The owner of the JRT is insisting his dog not be bullied by "bigger" dogs, but who's the real bully and will the situation be different with say, an 8week year old labrador from a reputable breeder? Hmmmm. Seems like the owner of the JRT is the real bully. The way I read it the Shep was just trying to sort out hierarchy. I have JRTs by the way. They are a big dog in a small package. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lone-silverwolf Posted June 19, 2006 Share Posted June 19, 2006 Hi again Michael, I must agree with raz saying that the JRT is a big dog in a small package... I also own a terrier and I can tell you that he can be very bossy over the larger dogs....and being a goldie she takes it but the border collie will take so much and then put him in his place....also terriers just love to dig and dig and dig... they cannot help themselves it is in their nature..... my fellow has made numerous tunnels and holes everywhere in our yard and he even digs hugh holes in the sand at the beach each weekend....such a site to see though If your mate has a JRT then I reckon that i'd be going for a more placid larger breed of dog such as a lab or goldie just so to keep the peace between the dogs and of course the human parents...you dont want to upset your flatmate either. I also agree with everyone else... supervision is very important. Ever thought of a budgie? Only joking.... keep us posted :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sithspawn Posted June 19, 2006 Share Posted June 19, 2006 Hi there, I can offer my own experiences with a situation similar to this. I have a Golden (cant recommend them enough ), and while he was still young lived with a mate of mine that has a JRT for a couple of months. His Jack russell loves people and doesnt really get along well with other dogs. My Golden, being a Golden, loves anything and everything that moves...or doesnt. He was about 7 months old at this point. He tried a couple of times to play with the JR but every time he went close the JR basically ignored him and gave a low growl if ever he get too boisterous. Koda was fine with this and just played with sticks or something instead. Basically I dont think anyone needs to worry about JR's being bullied. They have little dog syndrome. All the energy and presence of a big dog, but pocket size. If you get a Golden they are usually very easy going dogs. If they are with a dog that doesn't want to play, they generally just back off and go and play with someone/thing else that does want to play. Just make sure you introduce them slowly, if you are getting a brand new puppy spending a couple of days or longer just letting him getting acquanted with being away from mum, and to the new house, is hard enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wyvernblade Posted June 20, 2006 Share Posted June 20, 2006 Can you find somewhere else to live?! :p Just kidding but if you want to get a dog to suit YOUR lifestyle and needs, you can't just organise that around someone else, especially when that dog is going to be part of your life for the next 10-15 years! It's not fair to the dog, or YOU!!! If this particular house is your only option and you are not allowed dogs inside then I would be considering adopting an older dog and the GSD x you looked at sounds nice! Dogs don't HAVE to live together to be happy! In fact they are better off if they DON'T run toghether as they bond better with their human family and less risk of injury etc. So maybe plan your yard so you can split it in two and have two different runs and kennels and then it doesn't matter what the JRT thinks (And I have Yorkshire Terrier who thinks that he is the boss of our German Shepherd and Dobermann so they have NO idea what thier size is!!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael4 Posted June 21, 2006 Author Share Posted June 21, 2006 Thanks everyone for their input, it was really valuable in helping me make a decision. I spoke to a breeder of Golden Retrievers yesterday and she mirrored what sithspawn and lone-silverwolf and nearly everyone else who've replied here said about JRT's being big dogs in a small dogs body. So I've decided (with your help!) to not move into that house with it's bossy dog! And instead focus on finding a more suitable home that allows me to get the dog I want. Problem solved! Until the next dilemna haha :p Thanks again everyone and I'll keep you posted, especially when I get some piccys! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lone-silverwolf Posted June 21, 2006 Share Posted June 21, 2006 :p WOO HOO.....Good on you michael4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meriment Posted June 21, 2006 Share Posted June 21, 2006 Basically I dont think anyone needs to worry about JR's being bullied. :D Laughing at the mental image of my JRT's being bullied There is a story about one of my girls chasing off a Wolfie at the park once, he just wanted to play, but she wasn't interested, so told him, well, not very politely really, to "please leave"... should have seen that Wolfie run Good luck Michael with finding the right dog for you... I think you've made the right decision Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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