Another Pup?

[Jen, Lachlan, and Declan]

I'm seriously considering bringing home a little brother or sister for Lachlan and Pixel. Raise your hand if you didn't see this one coming. Anyone? Anyone? Yeah, didn't think this would come as a shock to anyone, LOL!   There's a litter ready to go in a few weeks with the parents being Lachlan's father and Lachlan's mother's full sister, so I know the genetic makeup of both and am comfortable with it ... but this is a huge decision and I'm waffling a little bit. Part of me thinks that it's the right thing to do and that it's the right time, but ... oh man ... another puppy! House-training in the snow! Chaos! Paper towels! I just got Lach to the point where I can relax and play computer games while he entertains himself for a whole ten minutes at a time!

On the other hand Lachlan soooooo badly wants another pup to play with.

My sitter stopped by last night to put her pup in my bathtub and Lach cried and cried because he couldn't play with her. He's really too big to rough-house with Pixel like he wants to, even though Pixel THINKS he can keep up. I think a playmate would be good for Lachlan. It might not be such a bad thing to get all the chaos over with now, either. They can entertain each other quite a bit too, and hopefully will wear each other out once in a while.

The timing's not bad. I can take Thanksgiving week off, bring her home on Saturday prior, and have nine days to get her comfortable before I have to go back to work. Just about the time the snow clears here she'd be ready to start puppy classes.

Expense is really not an issue, except that I might need to consider a mini-van! I already have three crates, so I'd just need to pick up one more. Time is a bit more of an issue for me, but I have a wonderful sitter and she has more free time in the winter (so she tells me, I think she just wants another playmate for HER puppy *grin*) so she'd be able to spend more time with the kids on her twice-daily visits.

I've spent quite a bit of time reading threads here on the pros and cons of a second dog and it seems the general theme is that the pros outweigh the cons. Maybe I'm just looking for excuses to do it?

I keep going back to the look on Lach's face when he saw that other puppy - the sheer joy in his eyes ... and that throaty sobbing sound he made when I wouldn't let him play with her. How heartbroken he was when she left.

Yeah, I kinda think I'm getting another puppy, aren't I?

So I guess I have some questions for you guys. For those of you who have two: Anything you wish you'd known before you brought the second one home? Were there any big surprises? Any regrets?

I'm leaning toward a female, but not absolutely determined. Can you think of any reasons I should pick one gender over the other for a second pup?

And what the heck am I gonna name it?!

 

It's so hard to say no to this face!

[Jen, Lachlan, and Declan]

Coming back to follow up and thank you guys for your replies! You all gave me much to contemplate. I've decided to hold off just a little while, at least through the winter (housebreaking a puppy in the snow, yay?), spend some more time just one on one with Lachlan, and then revisit the question in the spring. I also want to take some time to consider the pros and cons of getting a rescue instead of another puppy.

For those of you who don't know already, all of my prior dogs have been rescues. For years I was a rep for central Washington for three different breed rescues so obviously I'm pro-rescue. Lachlan was my very first puppy that I picked out for myself. I'm glad I did get a puppy this time, but not married to the idea of another one over a rescue.

(Okay, and I'll admit it ... the adoptions coordinator at our local Humane Society is an acquaintance ... and I might have let slip that there's room in my house for another dog ...we'll see what fate turns up for us ... )

[Cindy M, Zachary & the Frenchies]

I have 4 dogs - I can't imagine life without dogs - at least 2. More is certainly more work. When I get home Zach my puppy, greats me (he is still in a crate) and then immediately runs to the frenchies room, for me to let them out so he can play with them. I suppose if it were just the two of us he would be more bonded to me - but it is nice that the other dogs wear him out. I get plenty of time with all of them when they are tired :-)

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

Having gone from a 1 dog 3 cat family, to moving in with the inlaws and them getting a dog a few weeks later.... I can say that as much as Cooper loves to play with Abbey, I dont plan on getting her a permanent doggy brother or sister. I had no idea 1 more dog would be so much more work (and my MIL is doing most of the work as its her dog). Ive noticed Cooper doesnt hang around me as much as she used to (though she sleeps way more because of all the playing she does with Abbey)

Im happier being a 1 dog (3 cat) person!

[Mimi Linna, Lilly and Lolly]

I see a puppy in your future. hugs

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

OOHHHH! Can't wait foryour baby pictures!!! How exciting!!! (sorry-I think you will get it!)

[Pat and Traveler]

Hmmmm...I think the decision is made already.  :)  Trav loves it when his 'brother' comes to visit, so I get some experience with a two-dog household.  Grendel is here now, for a week, and the dogs are very different, but get along just fine.  Gren is a pit/mastiff and he and Trav are about the same height but Gren is double Trav's weight.  They LOVE to run through the house, which is something we had to stop them from doing.  Furniture would fall, etc.  They do tire each other out, and there are some significant behavioral differences--but I enjoy having both of them around.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Rooney (21.5 lbs) was 10 months when we rescued Stuart who came to us at 8 weeks and 7 lbs.  Stuart was sick so we had to keep them on either side of a baby gate but really I think this IS the way to do it.  They can and will make friends and play on either side of the gate.  Then slowly you supervise together play time.  Lachlan will get that the new little one is a puppy and other than the accidental step on, won't hurt the puppy and will start teaching it the boundries.  Getting a second dog was the BEST thing we ever did for Rooney!!  Rooney was too much like a toddler and I could hardly stand to leave him if we needed to go out to dinner or anything.  Now with Stuart here I don't feel as guilty because I know that he doesn't feel alone.  Go for it!!!!

[Camilla and Darwin]

Can't wait to hear about your new puppy and see pics. LOL!

[Jen, Lachlan, and Declan]

It's just after midnight here and I've just performed the from dead asleep to wide awake all hands on deck dog out of crate before he can throw up where did d I leave the paper towels what DID you eat this time Lachlan in 0.3 seconds maneuver, Lachlan's looking at me like "can we go back to bed now, mum?" and Pixel's dancing around on my shoulders while I type singing the "yayyyy they're awake!" song. Hmmm, suddenly I'm seeing a con here. LOL!

Both very good points, Nelson, especially the fragility of a puppy in relation to Lachlan. I do have a fenced yard, but need to have a good think about how to keep Lach from pile-driving the new pup in his enthusiasm.

Agreed, Nancy. In fact, my biggest worry about a second one is that I don't think there's any way I'm gonna get as lucky again as I was with Lachlan, but perhaps I'll be differently lucky. One reason I'm leaning toward a female this time is to help reduce the unconscious expectations, but I won't actually decide until I spend some time with the litter and my decision will be based entirely on temperament.

[Donna K & Quincy]

I see all pros and not really any cons, so I think you've decided. Good luck, I'll be looking forward to the big anouncement.