Should I get a second lab?

Hi,
I'm new to this site. So bare with me. We have a lovely lab called Archie who will be 3 next month. We are thinking of getting a little brother for Archie . We have done a lot of research as we want to make sure we are doing the right thing, as Archie is such a lovely, laid back , loveable little boy. We are worried incase it upsets him . When we take him to the field he has so much fun playing with other dogs, but at times we look at him and think how lovely it would be for us to have another lab and for him especially when he is at home alone at times for few hours.
Any advice or experience you have would be great.

 

Hi , and welcome Archie is a lovely age to have a puppy introduced , but it has to be for all the right reasons . It sounds like he is a very well socialised lad who has much play time with others , and I really would advise you not to have a puppy for him, but if you yourself really want to have a two dog household, then go for it I have two dogs, have had five together at one time, but I had the space , and most importantly the time to cope . Undoubtedly , the first dog sometimes resents an interloper , but it doesn't last for long , most Labs are sociable and friendly and will accept a newcomer without much trouble at all . So , in essence , if you want a puppy, get one and enjoy it , good luck

 

Agree. If you humans want a second dog then go for it. Archie is a good age for it and he sounds like a good temperament for it too.

Archie will be happy either way so don't worry about him. It's a win for him whatever you do. At the moment he gets all your attention and would be happy continuing as an only dog. With a doggie sibling he'd have to share you, but he'd also love having a bro.

And....Welcome to the forum!

 

Thank you. Yes we all want another doggie but also want what's best for Archie

 

Thank you. We are just doing lots of research looking for pups

 

Three is a great age for your lab (and you!) to enjoy a pupster

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I love having a second dog but it's much more work than I thought it would be. Doubtless my boys enjoy each others company and it's made kenneling them when necesary easier as they have each other. They're not best buddies though and are more than happy to have me to themselves when they're walked or trained separately and I think that's important.

Your boy is a great age to get a second pup though and he sounds like a lovely dog

 

I have two Labs, six years difference in age. When I brought the puppy home, he squealed in terror when he saw Drift! Drift became highly stressed by the pup crying at night but then everything settled and all was/is fine. They don't play as I don't let them, two large Labs doing bum tucks around the living room is not to be recommended! However, they seem to like one another, both boys and never a cross word between them.

 

Thank you, yes he is

 

Oh no , I hope Archie will b ok

 

Or you might find Archie is like Tatze was with Twiglet!

(This video was on the first day she arrived)



They are all different - Twiglet hates tiny pups!!

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How can she? In my mind she still is a tiny pup, regardless of all the photos you post to the contrary

My two are litter mates, and I can agree with Barbara that two dogs is far more work than one - or should be, since you should be making sure they have plenty of one-on-one time with you. My two love playing together, but they're also quite independent of one another and love it when I take them out individually. They have much more of a spring in their step than when we go out en masse. Of course, to start with, your puppy won't be able to go on walks with Archie, because they'll be far too long for him, even once the vaccinations are complete, so you have to think about doing separate walks. To start with, this isn't too much of a problem, but once he's bigger and is up to doing half hour plus walks, it's a lot more time, since you'll be taking Archie out for his long walk, then taking the puppy out for his. Unless you can call on family members to help you out.

It is nice to think they have some company when you have to leave them, though. I definitely think two is better than one. As long as you have enough wine in the house...

 

Thanks will get the wine in !

 

We have three! Agree with everyone re: having 2 dogs for the right reasons. A good age though, with your 3 year old as most of his training will be complete. We had a foster he was 5 at the time and our dog had almost turned one. Probably would have been better had the younger one been a little older, but hey it all worked out in the end. Then we spent last summer with a succession of foster dogs, got so used to it that it just felt right having three!

 

I've considered another dog as company and playmate for Juno but the first question I keep asking myself is do I have enough time and/or energy to exercise and maintain training with one dog running around toilet training, general training and then exercising a new pup separately from the adult dog. I haven't yet come to a positive response - it may come, it may not but I would say if you have any doubts on the extra commitment in both time and on finances I would wait.

 

Yes we had Molly at 3 and got another (Tilly) and at first Molly didn't take to Tilly at all she growled and kind of kept her distance then in time they were best of friends now we have Tilly who has just turned 4 and Henry who is now 11 weeks same happened with them they didn't get on then in time they did it's great having two labs keeps each other company I will always have two