Tentatively thinking of Dog number 2....

[Inthepotty]

We have a 1yr old lab x. He is a complete dream; polite, settled in the house, so friendly with everyone and everything. I've recently been walking/having at mine for the odd day my friends dog (golden r) whilst she recovers from surgery. My boy is loving having a friend around, and am wondering if a second dog could work?
Is it much harder?
More costly?
Harder than 1?
Best to have dogs of similar needs?(as in exercise/stimulation)

Basically details of your experiences are much appreciated!

I have a 20mo Lab and have just taken on a 11wo GSD.

We got a second dog because our Lab is prone to anxiety, but is a lot more confident when there is another dog around. And he loves other dogs.

Plus points - Lab is very happy to have a buddy and does seem more confident. Plus I love the fact that the two breeds are so different, so may balance each other out.

Also, I feel less guilty leaving the pup for the odd hour as he has company.And the pup gets socialized by playing with the lab.

Minus points - I feel I am neglecting the Lab a bit at the moment as the puppy needs socializing, so getting carried on the school run, etc.
Plus when I take the lab for walks the Pup feels left out. Training is a lot harder as if I am trying to train the pup, I have the Lab showing off that he knows all the commands and expects a treat.

I'm also a bit worried as our Lab, like yours, has the patience of a saint so doesn't 'tell the pup off' when he is a bit boisterous. Once Pup has had his 2nd Jab I will be taking him to meet more assertive dogs to learn some manners!

Time wise, once the pup can go for proper walks, two is no more work than one. Cost wise, obviously all our costs have doubled

I have a 7yo DS and a pre-school DD so I am tied to the house anyway, which is why we made the crazy decision to go to a two dog family.

I would definitely go for a breed that compliments yours.

If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask / PM me.

Thanks very much! Will do more thinking and nattering at DH

It is worth it in the long run but a complete pain to begin with.

1. You have to walk and train the pup and the adult dog separately, to ensure neither dog regresses or fails to progress with training, and the dogs do not bond with each other and not with you.

1. The adult dog is quite likely to be very put out when the pup arrives and display all kinds of unwanted behaviour. They will settle and work things out but it can take months.

BUT once you have got through the puppy/training/settling in phase it takes a bit of a burden off you as they will play together and amuse each other when you are busy. My dogs genuinely care about each other, will worry if one is injured, protect each other, and look to each other for instruction in pigeon chasing situations! It took 6 months for the first dog to accept the puppy (until then I kept them apart except when supervised as I did not trust him at all).

Get a puppy cage if you have a small pup, to keep him safe when you are out.

Thanks panic. We would be looking at addopting an older rescue dog.

Do you have a dog and a bitch or two of the same sex?

I have two neutered males. It helps that one is naturally the boss and the other is very submissive and wants someone else to be in charge. They complement each other iyswim rather than challenge each other. I think personality is more important than gender, so if you are getting a rescue dog make sure you see how he/she interacts with the other dogs at the rescue.