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Rat-Terrier.com
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KendraAnn
Ratastic
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| 08/15/2008 3:03 PM |
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Hello! It's been awhile since I have been on here but I was just wondering if those of you that have multiple ratties could give me some advice?
I have my RT Blue, who is 2 years old, and he is my only dog. We have a cat too, and they get along really well. They play sometimes, but not nearly enough to get energy out of Blue. I can play with him (I'm only 21) and my boyfriend plays with him too, but we are no match to his energy level, especially between work and school. 
We are planning on moving into a house here in a few months, with a nice fenced yard! I would REALLY like to get another dog, but I am so nervous about the effect it will have on Blue. In one sense, I think it will be great for him, because he will have someone to run around and play with! But on the other hand, I am worried that he is going to feel like I am giving too much attention to the new dog.
Right now, if my cat comes up, he gets very jealous and has to be on me too. If my boyfriend is petting him, he is fine, but if I am home alone or something like that, he always has to get in for some attention too. He is not agressive at all, and he is super friendly and loves playing with the neighborhood dogs.
I would really like to get another rat terrier. As much as I would like a puppy, I definitely want to adopt, and am willing to adopt a dog that is anywhere up to 2 years old just like Blue. I am considering getting a RT or a Jack Russell Terrier or a Fox Terrier.
For those of you that have multiple dogs, could you please give me any advice on how to make the adjustment period go smoothly, and any behaviors that you observed. Thanks!!!!!!!!!!! |
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-Kendra (Blue's Mom) |
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SuzieRedhead
Rat-A-Tat-Tat
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| 08/15/2008 3:13 PM |
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Kendra,
I have 6 dogs currently. I am a firm believer that dogs do better in packs (they are pack animals after all!), although there are the exceptions.... there will be jealousy... I have it at home. Sometimes if I'm giving attention to one dog, another will come up and try to push the other dog off my lap, or nose my hand away, I just push them aside and tell them to wait their turn... all 6 of mine sleep with me.... hang out on the couch with me... play outside with me... and I only get an occasional growl here and there... and I make that stop immediately...
Ratbone has many dogs you can adopt... please check out the dogs our website: www.ratbonerescues.com . We work to find the perfect dog to fit your household, if the one you choose isn't a good fit....
I think getting another dog is a great idea. GOOD LUCK!
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Sue Carello, Scotia, NY (near Albany)
Ratbone Rescues Fostermom, etc...
www.ratbonerescues.com
Fostermom to Oh Mickey and Prince Ratbone
Who do YOU GoodSearch/GoodShop for? Go to www.goodsearch.com and type in Ratbone Rescues! |
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Mitzy's Mom
PAWesome
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| 08/15/2008 3:14 PM |
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They adjust just fine...and actually love having another dog to play with! I've got 4 personal dogs and a revolving list of foster dogs coming and going. You just make sure to keep giving the first dog enough attention. They'll posture when they meet (on neutral ground please) probably....don't fret if they start playing right away though...and rattie play can look like they're fighting sometimes.
Get your baby a friend - it'll be fine! |
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Mary Beth, mom to the Lollipop Kids
Georgia Foster Mom, New Rattitude
at www.newrattitude.org
Pics of my current fosters:
http://imageevent.com/newrattitude/caradoc
http://imageevent.com/newrattitude/willow
http://imageevent.com/newrattitude/fiona
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KendraAnn
Ratastic
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| 08/15/2008 3:17 PM |
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Thank you guys so much, I really appreciate it.  |
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-Kendra (Blue's Mom) |
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RatsRule!
Ratastic
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| 08/15/2008 3:21 PM |
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I just got my second rattie, Bonnie on June 19th. I'd gotten my first, Chloe, last fall. Chloe was my girl!!! Still is. I love her sooooo much, but like you, no matter how much I played with her and how much we walked it wasn't enough. She is soooooo full of energy. So, I decided she needed a little sister.
Now, I love my little Bonnie bon-bon to death too, but there have been times where I've felt a little guilty and wondered if I made the right decision getting another, but only because Chloe can look at me a certain way that makes me think she's really jealous and maybe wishes it was just us again. But for the other 95% of the time, I think Chloe is very happy having a little sis to run around with, to chase, to play bitey-face with, to compete with and to snuggle with when they are tired etc.
I only had Chloe 6 months before Bonnie came home to us, so I don't know if that transition would be as smooth for your dog as it was for Chloe or if it might be a littel more difficult because you've had yours 2 years now. Just not sure. Others with the same experience might be able to say.
There definately is a way to introduce a new dog to your home, and ways to treat the dogs too. So if you decide to do it, I would check out some of the threads about that too.
For me, I try my best to love on both my dogs equally so that Chloe isn't too jealous, but she is jealous- I can honest to god see it in her eyes. And the other thing I try to do is to give them both some one on one time alone with me. I did this with my skin kids- and maybe I spoil my ratties a bit, but for me, this is important. I think just like people -they need some space (away from each other) once in awhile too. (sorry this was so long) |
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Jackie Oh!
Ratterific
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| 08/15/2008 4:11 PM |
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| I just got my second rattie...I'm finding bed time a bit crowded. |
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Caesar & Julia's mom
Alpha Feist
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| 08/15/2008 5:42 PM |
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| I have 2 ratties and love it!!! I wasn't sure at first how Caesar was going to be towards Julia...Caesar was 2 when we adopted Julia (she was 4 months old at the time). Caesar was my baby...and I think I felt guilty the first few weeks... Like if Caesar thought he wasn't enough for me or that I was replacing him...in the end it all worked out for the best!!! They get along great and I have double the fun!!! Caesar & Julia are always playing, rough housing, and sleeping together...It was the best decision our family!!! I don't think you'll have any problem with getting a second rattie!!! Go for it!!! |
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Diane~ loved by Caesar and Julia
"Don't count the days, make the days count..."
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buttonbutt
Newbie
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| 08/16/2008 9:07 PM |
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Button was two years old lwhen we drove over to the Texarkana area and adopted little Zipper (5 mos). They got to know each other the first night and were best buddies in about a month. They disagree from time to time, but really seem to enjoy palying with each other and "'sploring" in the back yard together.  |
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treble02
Alpha Feist
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| 08/16/2008 9:15 PM |
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| DO IT!!! lol...thats all the advice i have |
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~ Mary, Trixi and Toa's Mommy,
Ratbone Rescues Database Manager
and Applications Coordinator
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Baileydukedavis
Terrier Terror
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| 08/16/2008 9:17 PM |
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| We have had Bailey for over 2 years when we decided to get more ratties. I was really worried that he would be jealous and even mean to the other dogs. He LOVES them....and trust me if you love your Blue like I love my Bailey you will not take any attention away from him. He knows that you love him. Sometimes I will take Bailey into my bed room and just cuddle with him like old times just so he knows how much I LOVE him. Trust me their is always more room in your heart for love. Good luck Keep us posted |
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"If your dog doesn't like someone you probably shouldn't either." - Unknown
Bailey Duke Tazman Davis, Sydney Grace Davis and Chance Tazman Davis. |
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Lucy's Mommy
Terrier Terror
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| 08/16/2008 9:50 PM |
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| I struggle with this all the time. Lucy likes to play with certain dogs and really has fun doing it. But if the other dog -- or one of our cats -- comes near me and wants attention, she shoulders them out of the way and won't play anymore. I'm really afraid of hurting her feelings. |
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tauney4
Pack Leader
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| 08/16/2008 10:24 PM |
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| i have a chi and 3 cats. tauney still wants all the attention but i tell her and show her i have enough love for everyone, to make her and everyone feel secure. |
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KendraAnn
Ratastic
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| 08/17/2008 12:35 AM |
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Thanks so much everyone! I really appreciate the advice, and it's nice to know I'm not the only one that is struggling with this. I have a few months to decide for sure, but I'm pretty sure I will do it. I definitely will do like you guys said, and spend some one-on-one time with Blue.
I am really excited because we are looking at houses and a very large percentage of them have nice, big yards and it's GREAT to know that he will have space to run around with his new brother or sister. We live in an apartment right now, and there are always geese and birds around, and the geese hiss at him, and the birds dive at him, so he doesn't like to stay out long. He just does his business and comes back pleading for me to open the door. He likes going on walks, but then he is limited as to what he can explore. I CAN'T WAIT!!!!
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-Kendra (Blue's Mom) |
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singingpilgrim
Ratastic
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| 08/22/2008 4:51 PM |
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I don't have another rattie, but we do have the two dogs and Radar was DELIGHTED to have another doggie to play with again (to be honest, I think Sophia was completely indifferent to his presence for the first three weeks but now she is like 'where is Radar??' if I let her in the backyard without him) but he IS jealous... but it's also his personality. And Sophie is jealous too. Oh well, too bad. Either one of them would rather they get the playmate and 100% of the human attention... but they would rather have part of the human attention and a playmate then all the human attention and no playmate...
Though, really, if I were you I wouldn't get a JRT. Not because they are bad dogs, but I hear they have WAY more energy than ratties and if a rattie is exhausting you (and I can see why!) then I think a JRT would wear out Blue and STILL have energy to spare... lol... |
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Pamela
~Sophia Abigail's Mom~
Ratbones Rescue Volunteer |
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