owning more than one dog

[RottnKid1]

I've raised two pups together several times. The most important issues are the following: You should be a "stay at home Mom", work limited hours or at least have a responsible person at home for a good part of every day. You need to be able to spend time with each pup individually and you don't want the pups to bond more to each other than to their human family, so keeping them separated a good deal of the time is very important. You also have to keep in mind that you'll need to pay for two pups to go to obedience classes, neutering/spaying, etc. If you can do all this, then, personally, I see no problem with it.

The bottom line is that you should do what you feel is right for yourself, your family and the pup(s).

[sumo]

if you are going to do it, be prepared for lots of work...i've been there and will never do it again...good luck to you!

[rottweiler_fancier]

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>

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.

[mssmith]

hello,

i posted a question (okay, a FEW questions :D ) and i received great response!!

now i have an additional question to my original....i wanted to know if owning two pups at the same time of different breeds was a good idea. i received a few responses stating this wasnt a good idea..i should get one and then get another because raising two pups is a lot of work.(oh the two breeds rottie and lab)

i understand these responses however i have a question...what is the difference in owning two dogs versus two pups? i would think the responsibility would be the same. i have been researching both breeds and both stay pup at least till the age of two. so technically i will have the same responsibility as owning two dogs as two pups. can someone elaborate the difference or let me know if i am correct with my opinion.

i have owned dogs in the past, however by the time i was able to take more of a responsibility with them they were adult dogs..two pits and a dobie.

please don't take my opinion personally i'm in no way stating that the advice given to me is wrong. just trying to research as much as possible before i get my "babies" :)

[K9-man]

04/02/2001 11:42 AM

Mssmith, :)

It’s more work, more responsibility, more time involving, and more fun ! :D

Years ago I raised 2 Lab pups eight weeks apart. When one was 14 weeks we got a 6-week-old puppy. They’re both females. They got along great, still do. They are 13 years old now.

Within the last couple years, when my Rott was a year old I got a 14 week old Great Dane pup. They too, get along great and are a blast to watch interact.

As far as the “get one and then get another because raising two pups is a lot of work” concept, I say right, so what. 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.

If you got the time and commitment I say go for it. It can be quite rewarding. :)

[Teena]

I have Axel (rottie one, almost 1o months old ) couple months ago, i got Rose ( lab mix). She is 5 months old.
I was afraid of not having enough time to train 2 pups. But, i saw Rose & had to have her. It's working out great. They play well together & keep each other company. Nice thing is Rose picks up on some things by watching Axel.
Each still need seperate training times with
you & alone times for each to bond with you.
It is more work, but more fun too!
Also I have noticed since getting Rose, it's helped Axel to obey commands with distractions going on. Before it was harder to work on that because he was the only kid here. :)

[delila]

Hi.
When my male (rottweiler) was 10 months, we got our second. At the time she was a 10 wk old female. The only problem we encounter is the fact that we have to buy bones, treats, toys, beds, etc... in duplicate. They are very offended if one gets something that the other one doesn't. Like with my male - he won't take a bone or treat or toy without the little girl getting one too. However if she gets something that he doesn't, there is still a problem.

Overall though, now that I have 2, I couldn't imagine having one.

Both are trained well, and both are very social.

All this talk of more dogs.....maybe I should try 3 :)