So what would you do?

[bella29]

Will get heaps of leg-pulling for this one, I know, but....

Here's my situation:

two existing dogs: 11 yr old cross breed bitch, getting older but still very sprightly and enjoys her two walks a day with my nearly 1 year old lab dog puppy. She has perked up considerably since puppy arrived

I have always assumed I would wait until my old girl has gone before bringing another dog in but, without meaning to sound harsh, she could go on for another 4 years or so, and I really hope she does, as she's fab. Am aware that as she gets older it will be really out of the question to bring a puppy in, so do I get another sooner rather than later?

What would you do?

...do it now if you really want another dog (and can care , commit and keep 3 dogs), old girl will adapt and its better now than when shes too old and cranky. The other younger one might play up tho, going from two (a pair) to three (a pack) will change the dynamics quite a bit tho ... tricky !!!!

Thanks, loulou - yes, the care & commitment bit isn't a problem. You were supposed to talk me out of it though!

I'd go for it

I'll talk you out of it. Too much potential for chewing, I'm afraid.

Plus, your old girl might feel a bit pushed out, even if she accepted the new pup well -- the 2 of them might out-bounce her.

So that's two for, one against so far.

Even dh was not completely aghast when I floated the idea last night

Mind you, he knows better than to mess with Bella with PMS

I wouldn't worry about your old girl, I got a puppy when my old collie cross was 15 and it perked her up, they were great together, although she was PTS when he was 6mths old. I would wait until your lab puppy is a bit older though. I've heard that its better to wait until the youngest dog in the house is 18mths+ before you get another pup, so you can make sure it has bonded properly with you and matured it into a fairly sensible well behaved dog rather than bonding with the other puppy. I now have a 2yr old dog and a 6mth puppy, got the pup when the other dog was 18mths and the pup does learn alot from the older dog. It will also help your lab if theres another dog around when your older dog dies eventually.
Aren't you a vet though Bella? You usually give me advice! But the above is my experience if thats any help to you!

We have 3 dogs and biggies at that. It is hard work but you'd be more than able to cope with it.

Very disappointing attempts to talk me out of this, ladies

You did have a try, oregonian!

LittleB - I'm not a vet, just a former vet nurse who has always had dogs and things and is always keen to give her opinion

Hercules - I should have known better than to expect you to discourage me

Well, we are now talking about getting a pup 'next year' which roughly translates as after the summer (in the vain hope we will go away this summer, whereas last summer we stayed at home for my lab pup).

Thank you to everyone who responded - will keep you posted

too early to understand the instructions about the easter smileys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If I am honest I would never have 3 dogs again although always 2. But we love each one individually as they are all so different so couldnt imagine not having any one of them. One is in season at the moment so just off now to the woods with two. It is lovely to sometimes walk less than 3.

Thanks, Hercules - I know, I can see that 3 is less manageable than 2 but I can also see that my old girl may not want long walks for much longer, so I would probably split the walks and take the younger ones on the longer walks during the day.

Have a lovely walk

Bella, Bella, Bella!!!!!

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