To have 2 dogs.

[BipolarSunset]

We have recently put down a deposit on our new addition. Already have a 1 year old Patterjack. New Puppy is a Staffordshire Terrier.

New pup isn't ready to come home until 1st week of July so have plenty of time to prepare. I'm just so nervous but can't pinpoint why.

If you have 2 dogs -

How were they when introduced to eachother?
How was training in general with two?
Am I crazy to get another?

Please help put my mind at ease

I got 2 puppies 12 weeks apart, in hindsight would never ever do again. As a result toilet training was a nightmare as I never knew who'd had an accident. Puppy training was also a nightmare and never really happened. I still have them now and they are 8 but they are not well trained and it's my fault. Would recommend waiting until your first dog is in adulthood to be honest

Thanks for your message @endofacentury

First dog is completely toilet trained and very content so wouldn't necessarily say he's a pup - he kind of is due to age but behaviour isn't a problem. There would be 16 months between by the time he comes home. X

I have two dogs & new puppy is arriving in four weeks! I find dogs are better when they have company to occupy them & the well behaved older one shows the puppy how to behave.

My main concern would be the choice of breeds as both patterdales and staffies are more often than not quite antisocial / aloof with other dogs , whilst both being very good with people .

More dogs the better...personally think rescuing one would of been better especially as so many staffies get pts everyday but that's your decision.

Oh and my staffie is friendlier with other dogs than my collie so what pp said isn't always true.

@Spicylolly we looked into rescue but hardly anywhere would rehome with a child in the house. We have 6yo DS. Most were 'ok to live with teenagers' upsetting really but we will rescue one day!

@Floralnomad our Patterjack is very well socialised this was helped by puppy classes. Never any issues with other dogs so far. We plan to do the same with new DDog.

@FrazzledAndFeelingIt I'm hoping that's how it will work. Just so nervous. Want them to get along. Many people have said they normally learn off the older one. We're trying to correct Ddogs bad habits now before new pup comes - working so far

I have six dogs. All but one are rescues so were all varying ages when we adopted then. I got my most recent two when they were puppies (there were six of them abandoned in a box in a field behind my house, poor little things) so they had to be trained at the same time which was bloody hard work, but don't think you'd have that issue with the age of your current dog.
Introduce slowly, let them get the jist of each other. Don't be too alarmed if either are a bit scared, let them hide if they want to and take their own time coming round.
I found that my older dogs were great for showing the new additions how things should be done. They dished out the occasional slap to the pups if they were too boisterous, two of my dogs are pretty old now and not in the mood for too much play. Pups soon learned to stick to playing with their toys
You are not crazy for getting another. Life will be chaotic especially whilst they're still young dogs, but it's a great kind of chaos! The likelihood is they'll make great friends and be brilliant company for each other.

Oh also my dogs are varying breeds. Our pomeranian sleeps in her tiny basket with our staffie cross squished in beside her. Dogs can make the unlikeliest of friends sometimes.