We currently have a 4 month old black lab puppy and she is amazing. Almost completely potty trained, well mannered, and we are signing her up for classes to have her completely trained. We aren't home during the day most of the time (which she does fine) and we want to expand our family by adding a male puppy. We are looking at adding another puppy in July and we were wondering if anyone had any similar experiences with adding another puppy so soon? Anything would help, thanks!
Hi Lindsey and welcome from Hattie 8 years and rescue boy Charlie 5 years. My own personal view is your puppy is only 4 months old so you haven't experienced the 'teenage' years where training can sometimes take steps backwards and they become a little more difficult so with two you will have double trouble, not all puppies do but a lot do. You also say you aren't home during the day, who looks after your current puppy, I assume you have someone call in to walk her, let her into the garden and generally keep her company? Just to add I have never had two puppies but I know having two dogs and that can be difficult at times. Also it's double vet bills, food, worming, flea and tick, beds, equipment. Maybe you could consider waiting a little longer to add to your family once you have experienced your current puppy growing up a bit. However the choice is yours and there are some forum members that have two puppies together who will pop along to give you their advice. Good luck whatever you decide to do. Helen x
Hi and a warm welcome from me and my two dogs So your current puppy will be around 8 months old when you get a boy puppy ? I have had two pups together but boy, it was hard work for sure That's not to say it is wrong , its a case of how much time, patience and planning you have , but good luck with whatever you do
We have someone go home to take her out and get her some exercise during the day right now and I work from home whenever I can. We also just put in an invisible fence system so whenever we are home, we are out with her letting her run free. We are so torn right now because having a puppy in the winter was hard, especially living in the Northeast and this winter was mild. We were originally going to wait and have a year between them but we have plenty of extra time off this summer so that is why we were considering doing it earlier. Right now, Dakota can't get enough of other dogs and puppies. I know every situation is different but I just wanted to know of other peoples similar experiences.
You`re right about winter pups being harder , standing outside in the freezing cold waiting for a performance comes to mind
Hello there, welcome to the forum. Dogs change so very, very much in their first year or so, they are often very different once they get to 7 or 8 months or so, and become a bit more of a handful - 4 months old, with house training behind you, and adolescence not raising its ugly head, is a bit of a honeymoon period - it gets worse. My own dog is 3 now, and I'm just about ready for pup number 2, but I'm glad I didn't get one earlier.
Hi there, and welcome to the forum. I have litter mates, which is slightly different to your situation, but similar. I can tell you, having two teenage dogs at the same time is HARD - and my two were easy teenagers compared to some - and I can't imagine having a puppy and a teen at the same time! It would be far too much for me to cope with. I'd recommend waiting for your current pup to grow up a bit more, get through those teenage months and, once you're back on track with her training (believe me, it will fall apart, however prepared you think you are!), then think about whether you're ready to take on another puppy.
Would it be more recommended to wait until she turns a year and then bringing a little guy into the mix?
To answer both of your questions Lindsey , this was a few years ago now , I rescued two terrier pups , brother and sister ,litter mates who would have suffered had they stayed where they were , not for the faint hearted ,but I was terrier savvy I truly think you may be best waiting a while , let your pup mature a little more and then add to your family
Thank you everyone, we have decided to wait until winter and give Dakota some time to grow up and get a little extra loving.
If you have two puppies close in age, then you are going to have to wait at least another ten years before you can have the pleasure of a puppy again
I had one 15 months and one 10 weeks. I loved every minute, but they took all my time - no time for much in the way of other activities until Tatze turned two years old It's much more pleasant now when I get a pup and Tatze is a grand old lady of 3 years old (on Friday!) .
