adopting an adult ddb

[bluebutterfly]

hi,
my new dogue de bordeaux will be arriving here on monday or tuesday. I am a bit nervous i have to admit. We were going to adopt a puppy. but we decided on a beautiful 1 year old boy who needed a new family instead. his previous owner states that he is amazing with kids, but a bit dominant of other dogs (at first) and that he is generally a very well behaved and kind dog but he can be stubborn. and even though he states that the dog is good with kids...i am still a touch afraid... what if...you know....

i mean, i know we are doing a good thing by giving this dog a new chance rather then just going for a puppy and the prev owner assured me the dog will have NO ISSUES with my kids over and over...... but i just have this little voice saying over and over, is this the best idea with SO MUCH at stake?

my concerns, I have SIX kids. aged 2.5, 5,6,8,13, and 14. and a 9 year old spayed female boxer. my boxer tends to be a bit dominant as well and this is where i suspect i may have trouble. im also scared because of our toddler. I cant help but be a bit worried because he is over 140lbs. and getting an adult dog who i have no hands on experience with makes me a bit nervous...my mom is concerned he will attack our toddler..

can i make this work?
how do i introduce him to my boxer?
how do i ensure he is really good with my kids?
how do i do the best for him and my family?
i want him to settle in and adjust well. how do I do this?
Please give me some ideas, tips, suggestions on how to make this work for all of us.

i really just need some guidence here right now... I want this to work out!

we have been waiting for years to get a bordeaux... now its happening and im getting cold feet...lol

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

What's your mastiff experience? What's your experience with dominant dogs? Personally I would pass on this dog and adopt the puppy if your worried about your kids.

 

[bluebutterfly]

well, i have done a LOT of research on The dogue de bordeaux. I have also seen them hands on several times at dog shows. I have also talked with different bordeaux breeders about them. I have wanted one since I was a child. i have never actually owned a mastiff which i know is not great...however, my sister has two bullmastiff boys, and I see them and help take care of them every day at work. since we bring our dogs to the office. obviously they are NOT the same as bordeauxs...and i get that..and on top of that, I am not afraid to ask for help in this matter...

I am prepared to do whatever i need to do. be it training, etc.

I am willing to give this dog a chance.

I am dedicated to being a responsible and GOOD French mastiff owner.

I want this to work out.

I just want to know... is it a bad idea to adopt a 1 year old in this situation even if he is friendly etc...
and what can i do to prevent any bad interactions.

I dont want to not get him just because I am paranoid...But i want to ensure everything goes well...

should i book a training class even though he is already trained? just to help me bond with him?

i just need a bit of support here...

do you really think i should not get him? he is on his way... so its a little to late for that...

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

Ultimately its up to you, I don't know you or how you are with dogs. Just be prepared to deal with any quirks this dog might have. He may work out just fine, but again if you were worried about your kids. I would pass, especially with limited experience. Its not the age of the dog its how you are around dominant dogs ( granted you can't get experience without starting somewhere) Obviously your set on him I would just find a trainer to work with you.

 

[DennasMom]

I would work with a trainer for the introduction to your other dog and your family - make sure you get off on the right foot. After that - you'll just have to see how the personalities adjust. You've got a lot going on - but it sounds like you're used to that. LOL!

 

[bluebutterfly]

Today I emailed a few trainers in my area. i figure...I am going to do a few private lessons with him no matter how well he is trained...just so I can get confidence and assert myself as the leader. then hopefully, if all goes well i would like to take him through some more extensive obedience classes.. like i did with my boxer. so im hoping that will go well.

what i will do is (and tell me if this is a bad or good idea) work out how to bring him into the house without being face to face with my boxer. I figure i will rotate the two one in the crate one out, for the first few days. depending on how things go... i will take the two out for a short walk with my hubby, walking the dogs far enough a part that they are not going to have any incidents... if i slowly introduce them... will this work.. over time. or is there a better way... he will be arriving tuesday or wed so i need to figure out the introduction asap... i need a good plan and a plan B. Anyone have any suggestions to ensure this goes smoothly... my boxer is a dominant female... and he is apparently dominant as well. so how do i get them to get along. My boxer gets along well with other dogs but she is bossy around the food/water/toys. she doesnt like to be mounted LOL. she doesnt like when other dogs crowd her space. she raises her lip and growls at other dogs who are violating her rules, and will fight if it keeps pushing her. She will stop and back down if i tell her to. and she will relax after about half an hour and become playful etc... so how do i introduce the two successfully. i will obviously be watching the new dogue very very closely until i know him inside out. and even then after that.

as for him, how much/little freedom do i give him in the first couple days. should i keep him home, quiet etc to settle in, should i walk him? if not when should i start? what is the best type of collar to use for him. i believe he is currently on a choke chain..

he is apparently house trained. but how do i ensure this.
should i expect marking? what do i do if he does try to mark?