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!

[Doris, Knox & Flash]

I think you're a GONER! Go get her!!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I don't think gender really matters.  Here is my advice - do not expect the new dog to be like Lachlin in any way, not in temperament, looks, demeanor, ease in training, NOTHING.  You really, really need to get that into your brain because I think that is the only drawback to getting another pup, especially when they would be from the same parents.  So - enjoy!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I think you already know the answer.  Can't wait to see the new puppy pictures!  HA!

[Nelson, Rufus & KO]

We brought Rufus home as a 10 week old pup at about this time last year. Nelson was a year old. It was one of the best moves we ever made. I have to say though that the first month was hellish. Nelson was far too playful for the little guy who spent a lot of time hiding under furniture, They could not be left alone together. It was not at all malicious on Nelsons part. A pup is quite fragile and you can't explain that to the other dog... It took a couple of months but they are now inseparable. I am very happy to have a fenced yard because I don't think I could handle both of them on a leash somewhat is something to consider. I vetted over same or different gender and most of the experts told me that gender is not a god predicted. It is more personality. My 2 boys do just fine Good luck with your decision.