Hi, my name is Diane and I just found this forum a few months ago and really appreciate all of the insights found here. I got my first Lab back in 2003, and unfortunately had to have her put down last December. She was a special sweet girl and I will always miss her. We got another lab when he was 4 months old, and he just turned 1 this month. He has sure been quite a handful, but I love him! Anyway, we are getting another lab in about 5 weeks (she is only 3 weeks old right now) and I've never had two dogs at the same time. Any tips on dealing with two young labs would be appreciated! Thanks so much!
Hi there! Welcome to the forum. I have only ever had one dog at once so I can't help you with the two dog question, but there are several members here who have the joy of two (or more) Labs. Soithern California is a gorgeous place to be - I escape from the winters here in Alberta occasionally by going to our condo in Palm Desert. San Diego is a marvellous city!
Hello Diane and welcome to the forum from Fred, Annie and me in Cheshire. Fred and Annie are great together. Fred is 2 years old now and his half sister Annie is 9 months. Same Father different Mothers. Hard work but lots of fun.
Hello Diane and welcome to the forum from me and my two monsters! My two are litter mates, so I had to handle two puppies growing up together, which was hard at times and very time consuming. Your situation is a bit different because your first dog is older, but he's still basically a puppy brain at one year, so you're going to have your hands full! At first, you'll have to do all the socialisation with the new pup without your existing one being there, because a) this can create a false "safety blanket" for your new puppy and b) you don't want to have to be concentrating on wrangling your one-year-old when it should be puppy time. Then, once the new one (names?) is fully vaccinated and able to go on walks, you'll have to be walking them separately, because the young pup will only be having a few minutes and your existing dog will need much longer. At a year old, you may find that your boy is super playful and a bit boisterous with the new puppy, so make sure you keep an eye on their play so she doesn't get knocked about too much. Conversely, she may be a bit of a pest to him, so you'll need to make sure he has somewhere he can get away from her if he needs some space. What an exciting time for you, please tell us more about your dogs, and share pictures if you can
Hi Diane, Welcome to the forum! Fiona has given some great advice above, and I'd recommend also checking out the Puppies Section on The Labrador Site. Best of luck with your new puppy, Lucy
Hi Diane and welcome from me and my big lad Pongo in south Wales. I can't help with any advice on two dogs (one Pongo is quite enough!) but look forward to hearing your adventures. My dad lived the last 10 years of his life in Pasadena so I've fond memories of Southern California...
Hi and welcome to the forum! I only have one dog at the moment, but for many years had two half-brothers, who were devoted to each other.
Hi and thanks for all the welcoming comments! My avatar is my boy Sawyer. He is super hyper, but we have been working with him quite a bit, and I think he is improving (albeit somewhat slowly). I guess we got lucky with our first lab, Katie, because she was much more mellow and obedient (she was a chocolate). I have been reading many of the puppy articles so I can be prepared with the new one and begin working with her immediately. I figure it's going to be a bit crazy for the next couple of years, but hopefully fun too! Our new puppy is also a chocolate and I believe we will name her Kona.
Hello Diane and the very handsome Sawyer from Coco & me on the Isle of Man. Does your new pup have a name yet? You must be terribly excited.
Hi and welcome from me and 3 year old girl, Harley. She is my first ever dog so can't help much, but we have had foster dogs so do have a bit of experience of having 2 dogs. I think it's important that they each have their own space when they get tired as play can't get a bit frantic if one is overtired.
Hi from us all in Leicestershire I usually am comfortable with 3 labs but only have 2 at the moment. Midge and Rory. I like having more than one dog but You have to be very organised. Get them into a routine. Also make sure that you spend time with each dog individually. I spend time training and walking them alone at first so that we develop our bond. its fun but hard but when it starts to work it's the best feeling ever. Good luck
Welcome to you Diane from me and Tatze (three year old black Lab) We started puppy walking for Guide Dogs when Tatze was only 15 months and we all loved it. The one problem was over-playing. Both dogs would play all day if we let them, far to much for puppy's growing bones. So we had a room divider, then we could control how much they got to play. Now that Tatze is 3 we don't need any of that. She limits the play herself and tells the pup when 'enough is enough' My next pup arrives in early October so we'll be able to share puppy stories. ...
Hi Diane, a warm welcome to you and your ever-so-handsome Sawyer. I'm afreaid I am a first time, single, lab owner, though she is 6 years old now. Good luck with the upcoming puppy introductions. jac
Hi there,welcome to the Forum,Sawyer is beautiful,I cannot believe he's a mischief he looks the picture of innocence in your avatar...don't worry I'm 4 years into my lab journey....I know EXACTLY how much mischief they can be! Best of luck with settling in your new puppy ,I hope everything goes well ,please let us know how you get on x
