To buy a second sprocker to keep my first company?

[ulanbatorismynextstop]

So I have an 8 month old sprocker who is adorable. But he's very playful and I'm not. So I am now walking him 3 times a day, once early in the morning, once at lunchtime and then around 6pm. He LOVES other dogs and lights up like a Christmas tree when he sees one. Then always goes in for a hello sniff and a play if he can get away with it. The rest of the time I'm working at home, sorting the kids, cleaning and I can just see he's bored and is often hinting to go out again. The kids play with him for a bit but no where near as much as I thought they would. Anyhow, I'm thinking if I buy another sprocker, they can keep each other company, it's the same effort for walks etc, a bit more cash for food and vet bills but I'm ok with that. I just feel like a boring guilty mum, I'm his whole world and he just looks so bored when I spend hours tapping on my keyboard, chatting on teams or on the phone etc and generally ignoring him. Is another dog the answer? I'm thinking sprocker because they will probably also have similar fun personalities.

I think he's too young yet - wait until you've gotten the teenage years out of the way before you even consider bringing in a second. He's just about the age where he'll go into his teenage stage and all the difficulties that come with it - you don't want to deal with that and a puppy.

If you think he's bored, what about brain games and toys at homes? Sprockers are working dogs and need more than just walks.

Ultimately a second dog may be a good idea. My 2 labs plat happily with each other a dare very competitive if we are searching, retrieving , sniffing etc.
But I agree with pp, DDog1 needs to be fully grown and settled ( maybe 2 years old?) before introducing a second. When you do, think hard about sex of second. I have one of each on vets advice, because my male is sick a softie. Again, I may not have known that at an early age

Noooooo dont get one for your dog. Get one if you have time for one but not otherwise.

They may play together but they will also take up more of your time. What if they do not get on, what if the new dog needs extra time for training issues.

Its not the same issue with walks, you have two crazy sprockers not one!

Dont do it. Giving your dog half an hour extra time a day will be much easier honestly than getting another dog

Thanks for the comments, I'm new to dog owning and just want to be a good dog mum but waiting a while before co soldering again is probably the best route. Thank you!

If you think he needs a bit more attention how about paying for a dog walker to take him as a group dog walk?

I've got three dogs, previously we have only ever had a single dog. I'd never have a single dog again, they play and snuggle up together, they are adorable

OP at 8 months you could be hitting quite a crazy time with your Sprocker. Teenager and getting confident wanting indepdence, seeing what they can find to amuse themselves. Give it a few more months and things will settle down and should be easier to live with.

Could you treat yourself to one night out a week with your dog, have a go at scentwork or agility foundation training?

Wow I need to read up about the teenage phase, I thought the toddler phase was tough. Thanks everyone

We have a 4 y/o sprocker, and adopted a 10 y/o cocker about 18 months ago. The sprocker is so much happier having a friend to play with. Absolutely recommend getting another!

My springer loved to play with other dogs at that age. Now she’s 3 and it’s been a long time since other dogs got attention from her, she’d much rather play ball. I’d give it more time as he’s still so young. Around 2, mine really settled down.

Thanks SOsframfrangipan!

Yes, we did and it was the best thing we could have done.

Honestly if you don’t have the time or the energy to play with one dog, no, I would not recommend getting another

I don't think you should get a second
one, when I can't even get 1!

But seriously a 'teenager' & a 'baby' - you'd have to be bloody nuts!! And if you're not now, you will be!

Having a 2nd dog might be great but I would wait until your dog has reached adulthood and is trained how you want him to be.
A puppy will learn from the older dog including any training issues they have. So ideally your older dog will be well trained and good mannered before pup comes along.
Teenage phase can be hard with dogs and people often talk about recall being a big issues. I personally wouldn't want to add to the stress by having a puppy to cope with too.

I have a Collie who sounds similar to your dog, he absolutely loves other dogs and loves to play. I think mental stimulation is the key to keeping them entertained. He loves to play 'find it'. I hide his toy somewhere in the house or garden and he sniffs it out. He loves fo play tug of War, and he could spend hours playing fetch or Frisbee. He loves going through all the tricks he knows and learning new ones. He plays football with the kids after school most days too! I would love to get a second dog but instead I'm going to look after my friends new dog two days a week whilst she is at work so he has the opportunity to play with another dog all day.

In our experience dont unless you get one with a return ticket, we had two as company but they never bothered with each other.