when is the best time to get a second dog? I have a 5 month old poodle. I
am looking to rescue a poodle (maybe 1-4 years old). Right now, my puppy is
very attached to me, he sleeps in my bed, follows me around (like a little
puppy, hehe) and is very excited when I come home from anywhere (whether I
am gone 2 minutes or 2 hours). I want him to still love me that way, not
choose to be with the other dog all the time. This may be selfish but we
have a good, playful, companionate relationship and I don't want that to
change. I am looking to get a second dog because they will keep each other
company when I am gone and can play together when I don't have the time to
play (when I work from home a few hours a week, I need the puppy to leave me
alone for the most part while I sit at my desk and work). Right now, my
puppy does well at this, he takes naps by my feet or plays by himself.
However, whenever he seems my sister's dog, he goes nuts wanting to play.
He loves other dogs. I feel bad for him that he doesn't get to play with
them more. My sister's dog is 95+ pounds though and crated for most of the
day so they don't often get to play. If I had another dog (smaller too as
mine's a 6 pound poodle), then they can play a lot. so, what's the best
next step? should I get another dog now? after the holiday crazy season?
when my puppy is older? if so how much older? what age dog should I get?
thanks for any help!

"MauiJNP" wrote in message
...
when is the best time to get a second dog? I have a 5 month old poodle.
I am looking to rescue a poodle (maybe 1-4 years old). Right now, my
puppy is very attached to me, he sleeps in my bed, follows me around (like
a little puppy, hehe) and is very excited when I come home from anywhere
(whether I am gone 2 minutes or 2 hours). I want him to still love me
that way, not choose to be with the other dog all the time. This may be
selfish but we have a good, playful, companionate relationship and I don't
want that to change. I am looking to get a second dog because they will
keep each other company when I am gone and can play together when I don't
have the time to play (when I work from home a few hours a week, I need
the puppy to leave me alone for the most part while I sit at my desk and
work). Right now, my puppy does well at this, he takes naps by my feet or
plays by himself. However, whenever he seems my sister's dog, he goes nuts
wanting to play. He loves other dogs. I feel bad for him that he doesn't
get to play with them more. My sister's dog is 95+ pounds though and
crated for most of the day so they don't often get to play. If I had
another dog (smaller too as mine's a 6 pound poodle), then they can play a
lot. so, what's the best next step? should I get another dog now? after
the holiday crazy season? when my puppy is older? if so how much older?
what age dog should I get? thanks for any help!

Only you can answer when will be the best time to get a new dog. It depends
on your finances (a second dog will also need vetting, feeding & grooming),
your schedule, your ability and your desire.

Its sounds to me like *you* don't want another dog but that you'd get one
just for your current puppy. Wanting your dog to have a playmate is fine
but you also need to want a second dog because that dog will look to you for
attention and affection the same way your current dog does.

You don't mention training but I'd recommend you get the basic commands down
with your Poodle before bringing home another dog. I'd also highly
recommend that you proceed with the neuter surgery prior to bringing in
another dog.

--
Tara

Only you can answer when will be the best time to get a new dog. It
depends on your finances (a second dog will also need vetting, feeding &
grooming), your schedule, your ability and your desire.

Its sounds to me like *you* don't want another dog but that you'd get one
just for your current puppy. Wanting your dog to have a playmate is fine
but you also need to want a second dog because that dog will look to you
for attention and affection the same way your current dog does.


I know that I have always wanted two dogs and I am sure that I will love
another dog as much as I love my current dog.


You don't mention training but I'd recommend you get the basic commands
down with your Poodle before bringing home another dog. I'd also highly
recommend that you proceed with the neuter surgery prior to bringing in
another dog.



Would it be best to get another boy dog or a girl dog? Either way, my dog
will be neutured and the new dog will be spayed/neutered as well. I was
just thinking as far as affection/playing between the dogs.

"MauiJNP" wrote in message
...
Only you can answer when will be the best time to get a new dog. It
depends on your finances (a second dog will also need vetting, feeding &
grooming), your schedule, your ability and your desire.

Its sounds to me like *you* don't want another dog but that you'd get one
just for your current puppy. Wanting your dog to have a playmate is fine
but you also need to want a second dog because that dog will look to you
for attention and affection the same way your current dog does.


I know that I have always wanted two dogs and I am sure that I will love
another dog as much as I love my current dog.

That's great. The timing then is really just up to you. IME the younger the
existing dog is the more he/she is willing to accept a second dog into the
household. That doesn't mean it must be done when your dog is still a puppy
but I think adding a second dog sometime between now and the time your dog
is 2 yo would probably be best.

You don't mention training but I'd recommend you get the basic commands
down with your Poodle before bringing home another dog. I'd also highly
recommend that you proceed with the neuter surgery prior to bringing in
another dog.



Would it be best to get another boy dog or a girl dog? Either way, my dog
will be neutured and the new dog will be spayed/neutered as well. I was
just thinking as far as affection/playing between the dogs.

Its a general rule of thumb that you want to add a second dog of the
opposite gender.


--
Tara

"Tee" wrote in message
...
"MauiJNP" wrote in message
...
Only you can answer when will be the best time to get a new dog. It
depends on your finances (a second dog will also need vetting, feeding &
grooming), your schedule, your ability and your desire.

Its sounds to me like *you* don't want another dog but that you'd get
one just for your current puppy. Wanting your dog to have a playmate is
fine but you also need to want a second dog because that dog will look
to you for attention and affection the same way your current dog does.


I know that I have always wanted two dogs and I am sure that I will love
another dog as much as I love my current dog.

That's great. The timing then is really just up to you. IME the younger
the existing dog is the more he/she is willing to accept a second dog into
the household. That doesn't mean it must be done when your dog is still a
puppy but I think adding a second dog sometime between now and the time
your dog is 2 yo would probably be best.


ok, I will definately strive for that.



You don't mention training but I'd recommend you get the basic commands
down with your Poodle before bringing home another dog. I'd also highly
recommend that you proceed with the neuter surgery prior to bringing in
another dog.



Would it be best to get another boy dog or a girl dog? Either way, my
dog will be neutured and the new dog will be spayed/neutered as well. I
was just thinking as far as affection/playing between the dogs.

Its a general rule of thumb that you want to add a second dog of the
opposite gender.




so I will have two boys? ok!

"Tee" wrote in message
...
"MauiJNP" wrote in message
...
Only you can answer when will be the best time to get a new dog. It
depends on your finances (a second dog will also need vetting, feeding &
grooming), your schedule, your ability and your desire.

Its sounds to me like *you* don't want another dog but that you'd get
one just for your current puppy. Wanting your dog to have a playmate is
fine but you also need to want a second dog because that dog will look
to you for attention and affection the same way your current dog does.


I know that I have always wanted two dogs and I am sure that I will love
another dog as much as I love my current dog.

That's great. The timing then is really just up to you. IME the younger
the existing dog is the more he/she is willing to accept a second dog into
the household. That doesn't mean it must be done when your dog is still a
puppy but I think adding a second dog sometime between now and the time
your dog is 2 yo would probably be best.

You don't mention training but I'd recommend you get the basic commands
down with your Poodle before bringing home another dog. I'd also highly
recommend that you proceed with the neuter surgery prior to bringing in
another dog.



Would it be best to get another boy dog or a girl dog? Either way, my
dog will be neutured and the new dog will be spayed/neutered as well. I
was just thinking as far as affection/playing between the dogs.

Its a general rule of thumb that you want to add a second dog of the
opposite gender.


so I will have a boy and girl is what I meant! yeah!