Quote:
Originally posted by K9-man:
<STRONG>04/02/2001 11:42 AM
It’s not uncommon for people to have one baby and within a year or two, have another, even more work and greater responsibility then two pups.
</STRONG>
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That year between children makes a world of difference. I usually don't see a problem having multiple dogs, just having 2 of the same age. Now if you get one, raise it until its 9-12 months old, then get that other, its a difference.
One reason, which was brought up, was the cost. Shots, spay/neutered, and just general vet bills. A puppies first year is costly enough as is, times that by 2 and well...
Then of course there is Obedience. If you have a spouse or child that you could get to do obedience training for one of the pups, then there really wouldn't be a problem. But I know some people who use the theory of, "well, I'll train him first, then I'll start this one's training in 8 weeks." While that one is learning to sit, the other is at home learning the fastest way to chew a table leg or digg under a fence.
Dogs need basic training at a specific age, and when you have 2 dogs at the same age needing the same training, one could be forgotten. Could be a problem, maybe not. I know at one of the obedience classes was a mother-daughter team with sibling Maltese puppies. The puppies both got the same amount of training at the time they needed it and I'm guessing their situation is working out well.
Remember you'll have to times everything by 2 with 2 puppies.
2x the teeth marks in your sofa
2x the urine stains in your carpet
2x the midnight duty to let a puppy out before its housebroken.
2x the rebelling
2x the attention needs
and of course...
2x the love & 2x the kisses
I would personally prefer to have one go threw it first, learn from my mistakes, and try better with the next after the first has matured a little and is on its way into adulthood. But only you know what you can handle and what you can't.