An interesting offer is on the table.....

[Sandy]

My son's girlfriend trains dogs for NSD - National Service Dogs. These dogs work with autistic children. She has trained 8 different dogs, and won awards with the organization for her dedication. All this, and she's only 17! Anyway, she is going to University next year (doing the vet. tech. course, no big surprise!), and will be, reluctantly, giving up her last dog in January. She has offered, if I so desire, to train a puppy for me, which would mean that I would have two dogs. Part of this is because she will desperately miss having a dog, and another part is that maybe Toby would benefit from having a buddy. So - if we went with this, she would keep the dog at her place, with frequent visits to our place, from January to June/July, and when she went to school, would "give" it to us (although we would have paid all the bills) to have permanently.

A couple of thoughts I'm having - would I feel bonded to this dog like I do to Toby? Having had Toby from 8 weeks, and not having permanent contact with this one until 8 months.....I'm not sure. How would Toby accept a second dog into our home? How would they sort out sharing of toys, space, etc.? Many, many things to think about. Honestly, part of me wants to do it just to help her out - I know out much she needs a dog in her life. And by personality I am a fixer - I love solving problems for other people. The new dog would be a purebred golden retriever.

[Adina P]

I wouldn't worry about the bonding at all. Plenty of dogs get adopted at older ages (think rescue, from shelter, rehomes, etc) and do GREAT in their new homes. While I prefer to start with a puppy cuz I'm a puppaholic, we got Thule as an 11 month old and there have been no bonding issues.

Toby would probably do fine too...most likely. ESPECIALLY with a well trained dog. It would be a new experience and you'd juggle things a bit more at first, but you'd figure out a routine.

The bottom line for me is DO YOU WANT a second dog and all the costs and time associated with two? If so, this seems like a great way to get one.

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

Personally, I think that in your heart if you knew it was going to be your dog and you had frequent visits with it as a pup you wouldn't have any trouble bonding at all. And think of the stress you could be without having it come to you already trained! I only have one dog and couldn't even imagine trying to train a second puppy that this really sounds like a great idea to me!

[Sandy]

That I definitely agree with - I have found that I am not necessarily a puppy person, but definitely a dog person! Bypassing the early puppy months would not bother me at all. :)

[Adrianne Matzkin]

I ditto everything Adina says plus I will add one more - GR shed lots - if that is not an issue nor are the other things Adina listed - go for it! I love a 2 dog home!!

We have 2 now - with an age difference of 15 months. The only issue Samantha has is sharing her ball. She doesn't get agressive at all, she just doesn't like it. Other than that, they share food bowls, water bowls, our bed and everything else. Samantha and Charli have also shared their home with fosters. Again, as long as they stay away from her ball Samantha has no issues what so ever.

[Sandy]

I know - the shedding....but on the upside, no pricey grooming. I'm not sure I'd want to pay for grooming for two! And I DO have a Dyson.... :)

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Taquito the chihuahua came to me at 9 months. We had NO PROBLEM bonding. He is spoiled rotten and is very, very attached to me (as I am to him). It was great having a dog that was potty trained when I got him....
2 dogs are better than 1 if you can afford them and spend enough time with them.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I should also add that we were a little worried about Taquito when we brought Peri home. We thought he might really resent us for bringing an annoying puppy into his life. But, we decided to go through with it because he loves other dogs and is pretty social for a toy breed. Days 1 and 2 involved some barking and putting Peri into her place, but by the beginning of Week 2, they were best friends. Taquito even jumps in front of Peri to protect her when he sees a big dog approaching. He snapped at my mom's terrier Lucy when he thought she was getting too rough with Peri. This is after 4 1/2 months of living together :) I do think Karen's idea about borrowing a friend's pet is great (we kind of did this also to see how he would be).

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I have never been bonded as strongly to any of my dogs as I am to Jack, (and vice versa) and I met him when he was 14 months old. The bond between us also developed very quickly. So I don't think you need have any worries on that score.
To know how accepting Toby would be of another dog in your home, the best thing is to "borrow" a friend or relative's dog for a couple of days or longer. Offer to "board" someone's dog at your house so they can get away for a weekend, you probably know people who would jump at the chance.
We did this a couple of times with a neighbor's dog who Jack loves to play with, and came to the conclusion that he really doesn't love having another dog sharing his space and our attention for longer periods of time. That said, lots and lots of people bring in a second (third, fourth, etc) dog, and they usually work things out over time and become best buds.

[Debbie and Thomas]

In my Opinion, Toby would love having a brother or sister. Also, he will have a chance to slowly get used to the new one until he comes to you forever. It sounds like a very positive transition for him and you too. What a great deal, having a fully trained dog handed over. My only worry about getting a second dog is bringing a new puppy home and worrying about how Thomas would react. You would not have that problem. GR's are the greatest dogs and so many people have them and deal with the shedding. All in all - it sounds like a win win situation. Now you and your family have to decide if it is right for you guys and Toby. Everyone I know with two dogs tells me that it works really well, they don't feel it is double trouble, but double the pleasure. Good luck with your decision.

[Sandy]

Thanks Debbie. One minute I think - it's perfect, let's go for it! The next - what am I thinking? We're just getting over the madness with Toby?! For sure it's a big decision, which we will have to put lots of thought into.

[Debbie and Thomas]

I hear ya!

[Sandy]

And I must say, like you, I am SO leery of another puppy because of the excessive nipping/biting Toby did until six months of age. That really and truly put me off EVER having another wee pup in the house.