Considering adding a second dog. Convince me one way or the other?

[EHopes]

We have an 8.5yo mini poodle.

Or rather, I do. For this dog is very much attached to me.

Her breeder has two apricot boys available now and I'm very very tempted.

This dog joined the family when my youngest was about to turn 2, at that point I was having a minor panic about how one entertained a toddler without a newborn to help - my 4 are close in age

Eight years on, I'm again at a bit of an impasse in my life. I was hoping DH and I could take a week or two for a real holiday to celebrate birthdays and our 18th anniversary but his passport has expired and the chances of a real break seems less likely each minute.

I'm not sure if a puppy is an attempt to fill that feeling that the last possible chance of a baby is passing by - I don't really want an afterthought baby, my youngest is 10, but I'm still mourning the last chance if that makes sense.

So. These are the boys I can choose between. Should I go for it? Or should I have a better reason? And what should I consider?

For info purposes: we live in Australia, have a reasonable garden in an inner city suburb. Children are now 10-16 years of age and starting to plan leaving, which is scary (my eldest finishes school next year).

My parents and sister live around the corner. Last year they added 2 toy poodles to their household. The little girl arrived first and my dog loves her. When the boy was added two months later my dog wasn't impressed. She lets both the little dogs jump on her but I feel bad for her that she had just a few weeks of playing with a baby who adored her and that ended when the second dog arrived.

We also lost our cat 3 years back. I never wanted to have an only animal but every time I've suggested a new cat or kitten something has happened to stop it.

Anyway. Rambling.

Puppy names advice welcome. Current black girl is Pirate. Bandit and treasure have both been suggested. Also admiral and captain.

just go for it

Dont over think it.

Do though be prepared to advocate for your current dog and give him time out from the new puppy.

I have a10 year old miniature poodle and two weeks ago got another dog he's 10 months and a different breed (a breed I used to own). Mine has lived with other dogs before and has lots of dog friends of similar age to the new arrival and got on well with them the new arrival had alos lived with other dogs.
Its going really well the only few issues have been around a ball my older dog absolutely loves and if they are both round the table when I'm eating both are food orientated and if the poodle gets a bit cornered he growls.
The new dog is crate trained so now I put him in there when I eat and I don't leave any toys out unless they both have my full attention.
I would go for it.

Do it ! One poodle is never enough.

I like Bandit and def get the puppy!

I got the second one and rather regret it although I love her dearly and wouldn't part with her.

Life with 2 is logistically more complicated. We used to leave the older one with friends when we went on holiday but asking them to have 2 for a week is a much bigger ask. Going on holiday in the UK even is harder, less choice of where to stay and twice as much dog paraphernalia to squeeze into the car.

My main regret is the older one sometimes looks so sad although they do play and hangout together. I'm not convinced his life has been improved by adding another dog to the family.

Holidays: we haven't had one for years. Last time we did we had a house sitter and the price difference for 2 dogs seems not to be much around here. Also, my eldest is at the age where he wants to be left at home alone for a week.

Grooming: I do that myself since first lockdown. I wouldn't consider another if I had to cover that cost. Pirate has had more expensive haircuts over the years than I have.

I'll let you know.

Name suggestions continue to be welcome.

Also - grey or black collar?

Oh I absolutely love their lovely poodle faces. I would get one. I would like another dog myself but don't want to risk the contentment our dog currently enjoys.

OP I have always had more than one dog. When my staffy died my Chihuahua was on his own. I took him everywhere with me but there are obviously times when you can't take your dog with you.
I got my pug for company for him as much as for myself. When he died the pug was on her own and I recently got another pug as I love the breed. My older girl thinks she is the puppy's mother and the puppy has given her a zest for life. they run around together and it is lovely.
Go for it

I don't think I have added to my older dog's joy in life by getting a puppy. He's nearly nine. He is often irascible and I rarely see the absolute happiness he used to display. I'll never do it again.

I got a second dog and it’s the best thing I’ve done in ages. She’s older though. I don’t think my first dog could have handled a puppy. It just wouldn’t have been fair on her.

I think you need to consider your older dogs personality, what they're like with younger dogs, what level of exercise they need.

I love having two dogs, we got our second when our eldest was 5. However, this is the upper end of what I'd consider now - the eldest took a while to adjust and they have differing exercise needs with the eldest having had cruciate ligament surgery and a lower energy level.

Buccaneer!!!

Thank you for starting this post op... I'm in the same position.
My breeder has just had their second litter ..we had one of their first, now 3 and they kept my dogs sister and have just had a litter. They are a rare breed so don't happen often.
Half of me is very tempted... would she love a playmate, permanent company etc?
BUT the logistics... I'd need a bigger car (they are bigger dogs) I use a dog walker 3x a week when I work... double the Petplan (OUCH) double the vet bills/flea/worm meds. Double the dog food. Walking the older and younger separately to ensure good training for the puppy and different excercise levels. Fitting in training classes again.

And more importantly, my dog like yours is very very attached to ME..I'm the centre of her world. I am not honestly convinced that a single dog is lonely... (she likes dogs she knows but generally isn't bothered) and I do think she might be jealous of a puppy . She might prove me wrong, but I'm not sure I want to turn her world upside down and risk it.

Maybe I'm overthinking it but I think I'm going to turn down the offer and concentrate on the one I have. We don't go away often (ever!) and I work p/t as I care for my baby grandson so in theory it's doable... but it also means we couldn't pop out for the day leaving her with my DD2 easily.

Having said all that... I'm looking at getting a kitten Our cat died 6 months ago and she misses her, looks for her and tries to snuggle the stray that has moved in (he's mean to her) A kitten is not competition and they can snuggle...

That's the alternative.

It took 12 months when we got the dog for our cat to decide to welcome her. Cat used to stalk across the room and give poor dog a slap across the face about once every 3-4 weeks. But then they became close.

After the cat died I needed to recover. But I didn't expect to be so many more years with just one animal. Dog went hunting the house for the cat every groom in the first 18m after we lost her - pirate was convinced that the cat wanted a private dance performance showing off the new hair style. (It was very funny to watch).

I could agree that a new dog is hard work and get a kitten. In many ways so much more sensible. But last year we had an almost ours kitten situation that turned into a family drama and I'm a bit scarred by that. My family does a lot to help and there is a lot of opposition to me adding a pet, though I fail to understand exactly what extra stress it would put on their household.

@SarahSissions

My DH said that. I'm worried it would turn into Bucky - a truly awful name. And one which would be absolutely certain to mean dental problems.

Haha yes @EHopes - like poor Phteven.

I am in the same position. Mine is a very me-focused, loving but anxious goldendoodle who seems less and less interested in other dogs now that she has been spayed.

We were originally planning a litter so we could have a second dog (son) without contributing to the insane lockdown price escalation. But she had two awful phantom pregnancies during which she fixated on a rubber chicken as her dead baby. It was genuinely utterly traumatic for both her and us so we got her spayed!

She's bored at home, I know, and it absolutely agonises me ! I do my best with enrichment, 1.5 hour walks, treat hunts etc but I overthink her psychological state and feel really guilty. BUT I worry a lot that even if I could get another suitable dog, she won't actually be more happy. I think she gets her happiness from me and I have to face that fact and try and step up where I can without becoming too anxious and guilty when I can't give her enough of my undivided attention without risking other important stuff.