Need advice from folks with two dogs

[Sgt Mickey]

I am only in day three of doing this myself. We have a yellow lab who is 6 and decided on sunday to get a chocolate lab he is 10 weeks.

 

[surfergirl602]

I guess if you know you will be doing the work, it depends on how much you can handle. We have three labs, two cats, fish, and turtles, and 3 kids. I take care of them all. One dog is my DH's hunting dog, but I still take care of him. I would say NO! to another pet because I know even though they say they are going to help out, I know its not ever going to happen. My two older kiddos do help out with the pets when they can though, like letting out and feeding, but its mainly me. And we have a fourth kiddo on the way. I am able to handle it all because I am at home all day. If we both worked, I wouldn't be able to handle another pet. So, I guess it all depends on what you can do.

ETA: I also agree about the doxies around young children. Almost every one I've met or known someone who's had them they aren't good with kids. Having one that is seems to be the exception. My inlaws had two of them and I wouldn't leave my children alone with them when they were small. They were nippy and moody around the kids. Not the adults though.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

I almost always get another dog halfway through my dog's life. I think it keeps the older dog "younger" and, I know no one wants to ever think about this, but it does make it a little easier when the older one passes away (although it tends to affect the younger dog when the other one isn't around anymore for a little while, sometimes longer depending on how long they were around each other). Just something to think about. Although after having all bigger dogs (last one was a yellow lab), I will never have bigger dogs again. I now have a Miniature Pinscher. Little ones are sooooooooooooooo much less work (especially if you pick up the poop around the yard!) and expense!

 

[klacey1]

We had had our basset for 10 years and decided to get another dog to keep her company because I was gonig off to college. We got a dog from a basset rescue group. What they didn't tell us was that the dog was half basset at best and had a history of violence. It attacked my brother, my mom, a friend of mine, and my dog. We tried training, but it was hopeless. It lasted 2 weeks with us. I'll never have more than one dog unless I got them as puppies together...and even that is doubtful.
IF you do get another dog, just be careful of where you get it...

 

[Feralpeg]

Unfortunately, you just never know how it will go. I tried introducing a puppy to my 9 year old German Shepard lab mix many years ago. It was a disaster. My older dog wanted know part of the puppy and actually nipped it. I ended up giving the puppy to another lady.

Some dogs are easy going and willing to accept a new animal. Others are not. I work for an animal rescue group. We see it all the time. We'll take a dog to a home and the family's other dog will want not part of the new dog. Other times, it is love at first sight.

 

[kristilew]

I got a puppy when my older dog was 12....it was the best thing I could have done for the old guy. He perked right up and became a younger dog than he had been acting. He loved having a playmate, and he did train the other one very easily.

Now, here's the downside: when the old guy died, the young one had never been an "only dog." She became very depressed, so we had to get her a puppy. Not too much of a downside, though. By that time we had come to really like having two dogs, and she trained the new one right up for us. They are best buddies now.

I do think it helps that we stuck to the same breed all along. Very similar personalities.

 

[paintnolish]

We have two Shelties, which I take care of almost exclusively. It is more work but you really only notice it in the poop pick up! The "circus"...sometimes when we are relaxing watching tv, their wrestling and running around drowns out the tv!

 

[JoiseyMom]

I have 2 cats, a dog almost 14 and a puppy that is 16 months old. Now, my older guy, is not happy with her. She is part boarder collie and is always going after his back paws. Now Oz (older dog) has very bad back legs... so this is not a good thing. We ususally let him go outside without her. There are times he does want to play with her. We would have been better off doing this 4 years ago, when we had to put down our 6 year old retriever. Oz moped for a long time when he was gone.

Now the cats do not like the puppy what so ever!!

DH now watns to get anther dog to keep the hyper puppy busy . I don't him in no uncertain terms NO!

Did I mention I have 4 kids?? LOL...ok, 2 are already outta the house...but I did have all 4 pets and all for kids for a number of years!!

I need a vacation!!

 

[newddmommie]

I've atleast talked DH out of a puppy. We're looking at possibly getting a shelter dog as we adopted Reese when he was 7. MIL is bringing over her dog for a play date this weekend to see how having two dogs in the house goes. Also, shelters around here request that you bring your other dog with you to make sure everyone gets along. Thanks for the advice. Keep it coming.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

we already have one dog, an eleven year old 85 pound cheasepeke bay retriver. We also have two cats and a two year old DD.

my Dh has been asking for a puppy for a while to be buddies with our dog. I've continuouly said no cause i generally care for the animals and four seems to be a lot to me. However, I'm getting tired of just saying no

I think you should pay attention to that little voice in your head that's telling you you're at your limit. It sounds like your plate is pretty full already.

 

[LindaR]

IF you decide to add another dog, you should REALLY make sure it is the opposite sex of the one you already have. They have WAY fewer issues that way.

When my 100 lb GSD was a little over 2, we rescued a puppy (he had been dumped in the country and was near death from starvation). For the first three days, she (GSD) did not acknowlege the little guy at all. Then ???? her "mommy" instincts kicked in??? I don't know what changed, but she started letting him eat out of her bowl AND eat first. They were inseperable. I do have rules and all rambunctous/crazy play had to be done outside.

Jake (the rescue muttguy) quickly grew into the 70+ pounds category. Our Shepherd was very beneficial in helping to teach Jake!

Now we also had a toy poodle (who was actually older than the GSD) and NEVER let her outside to play with the bigger kids unsupervised. Its just WAY too easy for the little ones to get hurt.

Heck, when either of the big ones stepped on MY toes, I was ready to cry so you can imagine the damage a 100 lb or 70 lb dog might do when stepping on a 7 lb dog! If you decide to mix a small with a big, then you should always supervise and never assume that play will never result in injury (possibly fatal).

 

[kellyg403]

I will echo the sentiments of others. We brought in a mixed lab puppy into our home with a 7 yo boxer. She wanted nothing to do with the puppy for the first few months. She would even leave the room she was in if that puppy came in. That being said, the puppy probably had 2 accidents in the house total. She never chewed anything. She has this quirk of stealing dirty laundry and hiding it under the bed where she sleeps but other than that she just followed our older girl's ways.

We have had her now for 5 years. Our boxer is really up there now, not much playing etc out of her these days. She is DEFINITELY the dominant one and lets the lab know in no uncertain terms. But, honestly...you would never know the lab was younger. She sleeps all day like our boxer. You would think SHE was almost 12 years old.

Kelly