Just curious

1600 Views 15 Replies 9 Participants Last post by Tulsi, Aug 3, 2021

Sole0102

Discussion Starter · Jul 21, 2021

I just wanted to ask you all what age is the best to consider adding a second dog to your home? It's something that I am thinking about for the future but not sure of how much of an age gap to leave between dogs. I don't want Cooper to be too set in his ways before adding a 2nd. He is neutered and generally gets on well with other dogs. I would definitely be choosing another miniature poodle. Should I go for another boy or a girl? I have never owned a female before and find it a little daunting to be honest. Any feedback from those with previous experience would be great. Thanks

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Skylar

· #2 · Jul 21, 2021

I waited till my minipoo was 6 years old. I thought she would be solid on her general obedience. She loves other dogs and is young enough to play with a busy puppy.

I do dog sports so my older dog sees lots of dogs regularly and she gets along with both males and females so I wasn’t worried about getting a male or female puppy.

I did get a male minipoo puppy. The chaos of a puppy has affected some of my older dog’s obedience in the house. For example my older dog knows to lie on her mat while I prepare food. Since the puppy doesn’t have the patience to stay down for any length of time, I have both dogs popping up and down. Puppy is almost 7 months old and I’m just beginning to see him settling down. I have gone back to basics with both dogs training “go to mat”. I knew the puppy would have problems with this, I didn’t expect it to mess up my older dog.

On the other hand my older dog has helped teach the puppy that dogs sit at doors and don’t run out until released.

I would be concerned with a young dog who is recently potty trained messing up for awhile. I would wait until the current dog is solid on anything that’s important to you.

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Sarah Poo

· #3 · Jul 21, 2021 (Edited)

I am no expert, but I just got a second puppy with an age gap of 6 months (Charlie is 10 months, Gustave is 4 months old). Charlie was an easy pup from the start. When I got Gustave, she was already well behaved, I had no big issues with her. That said, the arrival of a second puppy was very challenging for her. I thought they would get along since they are so close in age and Charlie is a sweatheart with everyone, but oh dear, I was wrong. She developped some ressource guarding issues and jealousy, despite me doing all I can to avoid it. Believe me, I read a lot about multiple dog household and how to correctly introduce a new dog, but it was not enough. I'm working with a certified behaviorist right now and things are looking a lot better 😊. So just be prepared. I'm not saying your dog won't get along with the new puppy, but it's always a possibility and it's important to take it into account.

Edit: oops I just realized I did not really answer your question lol. I don't regret getting my puppy with an age gap of 6 months, but I think it's definitely not for everyone. I think it depends on your dog. I would at least wait until he is solid on training and behavior. Because with the arrival of a second dog, your dog can regress on certain things.

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PeggyTheParti

· #4 · Jul 21, 2021

I think I feel the opposite. I would want Peggy set in her ways before introducing a second dog. A fully mature dog can be a great teacher and also is less likely to regress in the presence of a puppy.

Based on my experience with Gracie (a mini mix) I wouldn’t expect that until somewhere between the ages of 3 and 5. She really turned a corner at 3, but 5 was when I considered her rock solid.

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Raindrops

· #5 · Jul 21, 2021

3-6 is the ideal age I want the first dog. Old enough to be mature and trained but young enough to enjoy having a puppy around. I for sure want the older dog set in their ways so a puppy doesn't cause regression.

Boys and girls pair best but as long as your dog gets along well with both sexes it is generally fine to have two of the same sex.

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Liz

· #6 · Jul 21, 2021

Agree with Raindrops. General consensus here is an opposite sex pup when the first is at least 2 years old is easiest, though there are many other configurations here on PF, from same sex pairs to older first dogs when the second is introduced.

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Sole0102

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jul 21, 2021

Thanks for the replies, they are all very interesting. I definitely wouldn't consider another puppy at the age that Cooper is right now. He still has some adolescent behaviour going on and Covid definitely impacted puppy socialisation classes, training etc although I have tried to let him experience as much of the world as possible throughout that time. I would have loved to have taken him to those things much earlier than we were able to. It also hasn't been that long since we went through the puppy stage and I'm not keen to go back to that just yet 😂.

I have seen changes in Cooper during the time that we have had him and it's been difficult at times, wonderful at other times and the things that I have learned along the way are tools that I will use in the future when we decide if we are going to add another. I want Cooper to mature and be the best dog that he can be first. I also want our relationship to be solid so that he explicitly knows what is expected of him. I was thinking around the 2 year mark personally but that will depend on his progress. I guess time will tell.

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Piper 2020

· #8 · Jul 21, 2021

I was discussing this with my breeder and she recommended age 7. The existing dog is young enough to still play and old enough to help with training.

cowpony

· #9 · Jul 22, 2021 (Edited)

Ritter joined us when Galen was 14 months. I think it would have been better if we had been able to wait longer. (I accelerated my puppy purchase due to not wanting to housebreak a puppy in winter plus the possibility I would need to return to the office in 2022.) Galen's training has come to a screeching halt, as almost all my dog attention is currently focused on getting Ritter housebroken and socialized. I can tell Galen is back sliding: pulling more on walks, not responding to commands with his previous alacrity. Luckily I had put a lot of effort into his earlier training, so I think we will be able to get back on course when Ritter isn't quite so needy. Still, it would have put a wrench into my plans if I had set my site on titles for him.

I think Galen himself has enjoyed having a puppy, although it was a bit of a shock for him to no longer be our only baby boy dog.

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Piper 2020

· #10 · Jul 22, 2021

I've had many puppy siblings and that is a great way to go until they get old and you lose both (or 3) in short order and then you have an empty house. I would do anything never to have an empty house again!

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Sole0102

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jul 22, 2021

You all know that great word coincidence? Guess what was just emailed to me? A picture of 2 puppies, one of which is identical to Cooper as a puppy. His breeder who I thought was on holiday (turns out it's next year she goes away lol) has 2 male puppies and she has emailed me to ask if it's something I was thinking about. They are only 3 weeks old. I politely declined but did say that it's something I would look at in the future. I'm sure there are a lot of people who would say yes but as I stated, I'm not ready at this moment in time. They are rather adorable though. See the pics attached. 3rd pic is Cooper as a puppy ❤

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Sole0102

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jul 22, 2021

Piper 2020 said:
I've had many puppy siblings and that is a great way to go until they get old and you lose both (or 3) in short order and then you have an empty house. I would do anything never to have an empty house again!

I think that I would find it difficult to go from one or more dogs to none especially in a short period of time.

Sole0102

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jul 22, 2021

cowpony said:
Ritter joined us when Galen was 14 months. I think it would have been better if we had been able to wait longer. (I accelerated my puppy purchase due to not wanting to housebreak a puppy in winter plus the possibility I would need to return to the office in 2022.) Galen's training has come to a screeching halt, as almost all my dog attention is currently focused on getting Ritter housebroken and socialized. I can tell Ritter is back sliding: pulling more on walks, not responding to commands with his previous alacrity. Luckily I had put a lot of effort into his earlier training, so I think we will be able to get back on course when Ritter isn't quite so needy. Still, it would have put a wrench into my plans if I had set my site on titles for him.

I think Galen himself has enjoyed having a puppy, although it was a bit of a shock for him to no longer be our only baby boy dog.

I totally agree with you and think that would be my main concern, regression in Cooper. We also have 2 training sessions left with a private trainer and he has been doing great in those sessions however his training will go beyond that. I would also like to get him into flyball or something similar.

Skylar

· #14 · Jul 22, 2021

Sole0102 said:
You all know that great word coincidence? Guess what was just emailed to me? A picture of 2 puppies, one of which is identical to Cooper as a puppy. His breeder who I thought was on holiday (turns out it's next year she goes away lol) has 2 male puppies and she has emailed me to ask if it's something I was thinking about. They are only 3 weeks old. I politely declined but did say that it's something I would look at in the future. I'm sure there are a lot of people who would say yes but as I stated, I'm not ready at this moment in time. They are rather adorable though. See the pics attached. 3rd pic is Cooper as a puppy ❤

Seeing those cute puppies is so tempting but you made the right decision for you.

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Sole0102

Discussion Starter · #15 · Jul 22, 2021

Skylar said:
Seeing those cute puppies is so tempting but you made the right decision for you.

I couldn't agree more.

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Tulsi

· #16 · Aug 3, 2021

Interesting. I had 2 dogs fairly close in age. Jojo labrador was almost 2 when we got 9 week old collie puppy, Tass. Both female.

Tass was the boss from the outset.

I lost Tass to cancer at the end of june (pts). Jojo is 12. I had just bought a lovely mpoodle puppy 3 days before the cancer was diagnosed.

Both dogs were not overjoyed by Rusty. He adored Tass and would choose to spend time lying next to her whenever possible. When she went he relied on Jojo for cuddles.

Now that he is older (5mts) he hassles Jojo a fair bit. I do intervene and he has a crate and pen.

A local trainer is coming on friday to advise me re R and Jj. She suggested that 4 years is a good age gap.

Dog Vertebrate Dog breed Carnivore Mammal

Dog Dog breed Carnivore Dog supply Fawn

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