Member

Posts: 11
From:Kaysville UT USA
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 09-27-2003 08:12 AM         

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Is it a bad idea to get a puppy when I have a dog already? Is it fair to the dog I already have or will he be happier with a companion? He is nine months old and seems to be well adjusted. He also seems to like other dogs. When the neighbor dog comes over, even though she is five times his size, he is excited to see her and loves to play.

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Posts: 839
From:,Calif. U.S.A.
Registered: Dec 2002

posted 09-27-2003 11:38 AM         

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Did you ask this before , I think I remember. If your dog likes to play with other dogs, then he will love to have a housemate. If he is like my poodle and does not like to play, then possibly if for no other reason than giving him another living creature to be in the home with when you are not there. My poodle would rather not play and pretends to dislike my other dog. She won't let him lay near her. But the night I had to take him to the emergency vet and leave him there, she did look for him. So there is a soft spot in her heart for Rufus. Try to get a pup that is not dominate and you won't have any problems, besides normal housetraining.

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Posts: 11
From:Kaysville UT USA
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 09-27-2003 07:57 PM         

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Yes, I did ask before and I appreciate your response. I asked about seven months ago. The responses I got were to wait a while until my dog was trained and pretty much through puppyhood. My dog is now 9 months old, so I am thinking about getting a puppy again. I have a silver toy poodle and have also always wanted a black toy poodle. I know at my age, if I don't get another one fairly soon, I probably won't get another one. However, I think maybe it is selfish on my part and my well adjusted dog will feel pushed out of his top spot. I don't have family or close friends who have two dogs. I grew up on a farm and we had two dogs a great deal of my growing up years. I am troubled about making the right choice and wanted to hear personal experiences. Again, I appreciate your response.

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Posts: 889
From:NY, USA
Registered: Oct 2002

posted 09-27-2003 09:56 PM         

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Well, since you have taken ample time to think this through and your sure you can provide 2 dogs with enought attention...then I say go for it. I have 2 dogs...my toy poodle was 6yrs old when I brought him home to my 2yr old aussie x. They get along great, even sleep together some times. They both get plenty of attention and are very happy. My cousin had a Beagle x and went and got a Basset pup....its been about 2yrs now and she has no complaints or regrets. My aunt also had a lhasa-poo and then got a miniature poodle pup....the poodle pup is now 7yrs old and these 2 dogs follow each other everywhere, they do everything together.
Your poodle is still young so introducing a new dog should be pretty easy on him. Good luck with your decision....keep us posted.

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Posts: 166
From:Colorado, USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 09-28-2003 10:56 AM         

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I have been giving this question a lot of thought lately myself. I do have two dogs- a 16 year old Husky and a 5 month old Aussie, as well as 2 cats. I was very concerned about bringing in a pup to our household with our older Husky, who is a dominant female and has been the top dog in my life for 16 years. I also knew she was becomming a little senile, thought maybe she wouldn't mind an intruder at this stage in her life. We had many visitors this summer (living in Colorado, that happens) and some brought their pets. I found that my Husky did not mind another dog in the house, and so the search began. We decided on an Australian Shepherd pup, for reasons I won't go into now, but we are very happy that we made this decision. One, because it brought some life back into my old girl (our Husky)- she became more interested in toys and playing again when this pup came into our lives. However, I took many precautions and spent a lot of time with my animals- and did not allow my pup to push the Husky around. I searched and found the right kind of temperment in a pup because of this concern. Two, I know our Husky won't be with us much longer- we are probably on our last year with her and I wanted to bond with a pup, and I wanted my children to have a pup in their lives when I knew it was time to say goodbye to our dear ole Husky. Three- the timing was right for us- summer was here and we all were able to participate in the responsibility of having a puppy in the house and we were able to give lots of attention and time to both dogs, (and cats) in learning how to adjust. The most important thing I found is to have the TIME it takes to give your attention, and training to both animals, especially during the trying puppy months. Out of respect to my older dog, and our cats, our puppy learned early on some very basic manners and obedience. I also allowed nature to take it's course, somewhat in letting our husky teach our pup basic do's and don'ts in establishing pack order. I believe the dog you have in your home first deserves this respect. The rank, and pack situation will work itself out with your guidance and training when you have more than one dog. It is intersting to see how that unfolds, but it does require your time, and patience to nuture things in the right direction, and should be considered when choosing to bring another dog or puppy into your household.
When my Husky is gone, I plan to get another dog, probably an Aussie rescue, or maybe a pup, I am not sure. However I plan to wait until my pup is older, closer to a year to establish more obedience training and family bonding with her. I think there are many factors that should be considered- your dogs temperment, the time you have to give to both animals, your understanding of pack order and type/temperament of dog or pup you plan to bring into your household. Chances are, given the thought you are putting into this decision, it will all work out for the best. Good luck

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Registered: Aug 2003

posted 09-28-2003 11:06 AM         

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I have 2 dogs, a silver Toy Poodle and a red Standard Poodle. My Toy was around 1 1/2 when I got my Standard. I think having 2 is great. They always have someone to play with and they wear each other out. I don't regret getting a second and will probably always have two. I think your other one is probably old enough for you to be able to handle another puppy but he is young enough to not be so set in his ways to not accept another dog. I really like the black Poodles too and may get one next. Good luck and let us know what you do.

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Posts: 839
From:,Calif. U.S.A.
Registered: Dec 2002

posted 09-28-2003 04:20 PM         

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Lacey, I did not know you also had a standard. Will you post a picture of him? I say two is better than one.

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Posts: 109
From:evesham, New Jersey, USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 09-28-2003 06:29 PM         

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I agree two is better than one I almost didn't get another dog since Teddy has been such a handful, but I'm so glad I did. Teddy has calmed down a bit since Miette has come along and now instead of him looking to me all the time to play he plays with her. So that gives me a little more free time. They both still get plenty of love and attention but now every morning they run out into the back yard and have a ball together. This gives me time to get ready for work. Before Miette came along Teddy would just follow me around while I got dressed for work. Teddy was a very happy puppy before Miette but I'm sure he is much happier now. If you can accomodate and afford a friend for your current dog I really think you should. It hasn't been a hassel at all. Teddy was more demanding of me before Miette came along and he loves to play with other dogs. Once his obediance classes ended I felt so bad, it really did seem like he knew the day and the way to the class. When we got in the car and I turned down the street his class was on he began to bark frantically. I would barley have time to get my pocketbook in my hand before he was dragging me to the door. He just couldn't wait to get in there with the other dogs.

Oh one more thing... when I first got Miette it seemed like Teddy was letting her eat out of his bowl. It was almost like he would move over and make room for her so they could eat together. Sometimes even stepping back as she ate. It was really strange, because Teddy will still let her know who is in charge but he really seems to look out for her.

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posted 09-28-2003 06:34 PM         

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Here is a picture of my Standard with his littermates. He is little peanut next to his bigger brothers. He is the runt of the litter and was such a little cutie. I will try to get a recent pic soon and show you too.

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Posts: 889
From:NY, USA
Registered: Oct 2002

posted 09-28-2003 09:04 PM         

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OMG...those puppies are adorable!

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Posts: 839
From:,Calif. U.S.A.
Registered: Dec 2002

posted 09-29-2003 12:23 PM         

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Oh he is adorable. Don't they look like wavy haired Irish setters. They all have such rich coloring. How old is Peanut? Is that his name or were you just making referance to his size. They are all so cute, it would be hard to decide. I would probably have gone for the smallest too. So is he full gorwn now? If so how tall did he get? Did you know that there is a certain size range in standards that are called Moyen? I would want a moyen if I got a standard. Can't wait for the newer pictures. Put your toy in there too.

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