Getting a second dog

Sleeping_Lion · Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 11:08 am Post subject:

It is a complete myth about chocolates being 'hyper' and I think there have been several posts about this in the past but I'm far too lazy to go and find them. You will find that a lot of chocolate and black pedigrees are quite mixed, our two had a black grandma, and the first litter I planned with Indie (which went out of the window when she ruptured her cruciate) was to a black stud boy.
Each dog is completely individual, and the best advice will come from the breeder who will be able to tell you what sort of pups they get out of their litters. We went back to the same breeder as we fell in love with their bitch, Maddie, who is very high drive but also a cuddle monster. Both our girls have a good working drive, Indie is more laid back than her little sister Tau, although nobody could have predicted that little minx's true character!! Indie was one year old when we got Tau and she settled down straight away with her new little sis, and Tau certainly settled her paws straight under the proberbia table!

Pepsta · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 4:00 am Post subject:

Go for it!! All I can say is that I couldn't be more than happier with Sparky (2 1/2 year ol Male Yellow Lab) and TJ (9 1/2 week male Pomeranian) I know not Lab and Lab but it just goes to show how great Lab's are!

With correct introduction techniques they are now the best of buddy's, in fact TJ will often annoy Sparky (nips at his long legs etc) and Sparky will just ignore him and grant him attention when TJ has stopped and relaxed (almost as if he is teaching him to be mellow) The only thing I'm working on at the moment is feeding time, Sparky likes TJ's helping too but we will get there!

sandramay · Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 11:22 am Post subject:

we have now got our second Lab both females Elkie is 18 mths Eve now 13 weeks. Like the other 2 owners Elk is a model Lab so laid back, Eve is very boistrous and i think will be top dog but they both squabble and play fight but still curl up together, it's very hard to say what will happen in 6 mths but the PUP is hard work we are up every morning at 6 but she is now taking notice of what she should and shouldn't be doing. Good luck what ever you decide to do.

Mandyspybabe · Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 11:35 am Post subject:

Having got 3, all diffrent colours I can safely say that colour makes absolutely no difference. They are all individuals and whatever breed you go for the dogs will have their own personalities.

Rufus was 7 months when we got Scooby and he was 1 year when we got Troy, so mine all very close together in age and get on fantastically.

I believe it is a lot to do with how you are as owners and how you discipline and act with your dogs, this reflects in how they develope as pets. Obviously ocasionally you get a dog that won't accept another, but it is very rare and you need to give it a chance, don't act to hastily as some do and panic that the older dog hates the new arrival, normally dogs sort themselves out and find a happy balance quite quickly.

I certainly don't regret having 3 and would have another one tomorrow if OH would let me.

Good luck in whatever you decide.

_joanne_ · Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 11:40 am Post subject:

I think with Lana being a puppy Lab with an adult Lab has been wonderful. Keira is such a good girl that Lana seems to have learnt from her.

I had all the usual comments regarding chocs when I got Lana, but she has been so laid back and very well behaved, if I believed what i was told about chocs, I would have to say her coat was dyed Laughing

as she obviously isn't choc Wink

With some breeds I can understand why it may not be a good idea having the same again, but with the normal temperament etc of a lab I personally think having more than one is wonderful Very Happy

Also the timing you have said, would be fine Very Happy

andthegirls · Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008 4:55 pm Post subject:

We love having two, and they are such good company for each other! And you may hear the myth that if you have two they will want to spend time with the other dog more than they want to spend time with you. As I said, a myth!! Our girls love their time with us, but when we aren't around, they have each other. The only down-side to having two is that when the inevitable happens and you have to say good bye to one of them, you not only have your own mourning to deal with, you have to help the one left behind deal with their loneliness (and anyone who says dogs don't mourn hasn't seen my girls when they lose a pal).

As far as not getting one from the same breeder, unless you are planning on breeding yourself or are unhappy with the dog you have now,why wouldn't you? We did a lot of research before we settled on the breeder we got Teal from 15 years ago...and have kept in touch with him and followed his dogs (and he follows our girls). He is still the same reputable, responsible breeder of lovely dogs...why wouldn't we continue to get our girls from him? And sticking with one breeder does have its advantages (we got bumped to the head of the waiting list - which would not have happened if we'd gone to another breeder). We're on number three from Cedarbrae, and know that there will be another one in our lives in the next year or so.

Two is twice as much fun (but I'd make sure #1 was mostly trainned before getting #2...and make sure that the older one is always #1...the pup has to learn how the family hierarchy works...and that they are at the bottom) Smile

HellsBells1725 · Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008 5:22 pm Post subject:

I can only go off my own experience. I had Oliver to begin with and he was chocolate lab, superb dog very gentle with the children and very laid back. Now I have Henry who is 8 months and has been abit of a handful and we introduced Phoebe who is a lab as well. She was our foster dog she is 10 and they get on great together so we have adopted her too. We now have Milo who is a 17 month old Dalmation and he also gets on well with Henry and Phoebe Very Happy

. It is hard work especially when it comes to walking them as I have two children as well. I was abit dubious about how Henry would be, not with him accepting a new dog but if it knocked his confidence abit with them both being older than him. But no he is definitely holding his own with the pair of them and he keeps pushing his luck and getting told off when he goes too far. Its all good fun you just have to share your love and make sure none of them feel left out. They all know who is boss in our house that includes my hubby and children Wink

.

HellsBells1725 · Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008 5:29 pm Post subject:

Also forgot to say that Henry still follows me round and always lies next to me even when Milo and Phoebe are in the same room. I will be in the kitchen and he is always under my feet. Very Happy

I love having 3 dogs. Phoebe has started to come out of her shell abit more and Milo always comes for cuddles. I need very long arms at times Very Happy

. Hope this helps.

ArizonaLab · Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 8:37 pm Post subject:

We had one Lab, our yellow Ripley when we got our black Lab Chase. Ripley was 14 months old when 8 month old Chase dropped in on us. We were steadfast in having only one Lab as Ripley was still in the rambunctious puppy stage. A friend who works at the vet's office implored us to adopt Chase as he was not being taken care of by his owner. We went to see him and you never met a sweeter dog. Behaviour, on the other hand, was a different story. This is the happiest dog in the world and as such does whatever he wants. He's come a long way in training, and being 6 months apart they became fast friends. Ripley was happy to have him for the first few hours but then acted like he'd had enough, when was this crazy going to leave? He was a little questioning on his role in the house now that there were suddenly two dogs, but there were never any growls or fights. It took about a month I think for both of them, Ripley to accept Chase and Chase to figure out where he was. Now they are the best of friends, inseperable. At the park they play with other dogs, but then come back to play with each other. They sleep together every night. They are so happy to have each other and it worked out great.
Hope this little story helps!

MOSEY · Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 11:02 pm Post subject: