How long did you wait before getting another dog?

[annie870]

My dog sadly passed away 4 days ago and im so heartbroken. I want another dog but my partner thinks we should grieve first for a couple of months and then decide. I don't want another dog to replace the one we lost but our home feels so empty without him. How long did others wait before getting another dog?

My dog died at the start of November 2021 and I had a new puppy in December 2021. I already had dogs at my house and fostered…but for me there is something about a new puppy - their happiness which is so pure - that I needed.

But I also know people who have waited years.

It’s 100% an individual choice. But the couple (if you are in one) has to be united in their decision to get a dog - luckily my DP was 100% supportive. I wouldn’t have done it if he wasn’t.

I’m sorry your dear dog has gone. The pain of losing a much loved dog is indescribable. I still mourn my foggy companions albeit they were a few years ago and not replaced. Doggy paraphernalia everywhere is such a painful reminder.

Please listen to your partner because I think he’s right. Out of respect for your old dog please take time to grieve and remember him/her. A couple of months is no time at all. Gives you time to truly look at the options. So many deserving dogs out there I hope you’ll find happiness again very soon.

I think I waited about a week after my GSD died. My remaining dog hated being alone and I was desperate for another, I hated not having a pair!

I still haven’t got a new dog after my last dog died. I just don’t feel like I want one right now but I still have 2 so not the same as being dog less.

It’s no disrespect to your other dog to get a new dog imo, why would it be?

First dog died and we waited a year.
Second dog died the October and we had a three year old dog too. We had another pup by the end of November, we did get a slightly older pup though.

Ten weeks the first time I lost a dog. Eight months the second time as we had to go on a waiting list. Would have got him sooner if I could have!

The first time I was looking at litters before he was PTS, as he had been getting more and more poorly. The second time it was very sudden.

6 months I think. An opportunity came up and all the cards fell into place. Older dog (who was originally the younger dog) wasn’t keen but it’s all worked out. If it feels right, it’ll be alright.

3 years but we wanted to travel!

I was once told that you should always wait 6 months. To grieve, to decide if a new dog fitted your life now and to work out what type of dog fits your life now. It was a wise lady, who also chuckled that of course most can’t do the 6 months without a new dog arriving!

Most recently, just under a month. It was too soon, really, but I was in absolute bits without a dog and the perfect dog came up in a rescue my friend is closely involved with. She did a bit of matchmaking and I love our new dog dearly, but I'm still grieving for my old boy and feel guilty about it being so soon.

We lost DD in January 23,he was almost 18, but we had another dog, after trying so many rescues,we finally bought a puppy born in July, collected her in September. Previously,it was 7 months,I was waiting till I retired, but this little one,got separation syndrome, and DH said he waited by the front door as soon as I left for work (night shift) so we got a puppy.

Rubbish. OP’s husband is not right, in this situation NOBODY is right. It is down to personal decisions. I still grieve for my dog many years down the line, and that would not change whether we got another dog straight away or waited for a few months. A new puppy will never replace OP’s dog,but a new puppy will help her heal and focus on the positive. Who the heck are you to decide for OP who is right and wrong!

We are 15 months after losing dog 2 (we still have dog 1) and there will be no replacements. When we lose dog 1, we're having a break so we can go travelling etc. Then we'll review what is the right thing for us and any more dogs.

A neighbour recently put a dog down due to behaviour (we all suspected a neurological problem - he attacked the kids and the wife on several occasions) and 3wks later they have a new pup because the husband wanted one and the wife (who does all the dog care as she works PT around the kids etc) is absolutely devastated. She wanted a few more months to come to terms with what happened and he just appeared with a puppy.

So my advice is to wait until you're all ready.

I’m so sorry about your dog. It’s heartbreaking to lose a loved dog.
We waited five months to get another dog. We rescued again, and got a different breed. I was ready sooner than my husband was, but we both grieved for a long time.

It's different feeling for everyone,it's when it feels right for you.When we lost our first dog we said we couldn't go through the pain of that loss again, but about a year later we felt lonely for canine company and so we adopted another and when that dog died we only waited 4 months, we just need a dog in our life. Don't think of it as replacing the one you've lost,you're not doing that, you're giving another dog a loving home and there's so many in need.

It's not a replacement. My DD came round this morning, DH got photos out,of our last 2 dogs. We will never forget them. We were had our little phalane PTS in January,DH said are we getting a puppy. I said no,I have had 3 rescues,2 returned for aggression. I had the one successful one when I met him,he funnily enough also had a rescue (both were private) I tried hundreds of rescues. I did have a few criteria, not brachial, not very elderly,he didn't want a male. There was a lot of brachial males! I tried the whole of the British isles. I've had a lot of collies. There was private ads,very upset to have to get rid of my 8 month,year old BC,they were all males. I've been stung before. We didn't specify a breed. One hadn't been on a lead in it's 2 year life! Every one had issues, can't be walked with other dogs, can't live with other animals,no visiting children, youngest DGD is a toddler. Reactive to dogs,bikes,cars, people, separation syndrome. Minimum 6ft fence, mine is 5.5 rural home,we are on the edge of a village,2 roads away from farmland.large garden,we have 200ft, non of this was good enough. We settled for a puppy, I would have liked to have got one in the summer. We ended up with a red/white bc born in July. Our other dog is 9,we talked it over,had to both be on the same page.

We found our new puppy the day after the old man died, but as he was only 3 weeks old, we have a five week wait to pick him up - two weeks to go.

It was the right thing for us and although we are still,navigating the devastation of losing the old man, the thought of the baby joining us means that we can smile and have something to look forward to.

There is no right time to wait, it is a personal choice.

The first time I was looking at litters before he was PTS, as he had been getting more and more poorly.

We were doing the same as we had a long time to get used to the idea that he was going to die due to his many health problems. He bounced back so often, but the last time the decline was fast and final. We'd already made the decision to have another dog 🤷‍♀️

I find having another dog soon after mine has passed helps me to get over the grief. There is something very comforting about snuggling up to a dog whether puppy or older rescue. They don’t replace the dog you loose, they give you love. Do what feels right for you. My two dogs are getting older now and when the time comes I doubt very much I will be dogless for more than a couple of weeks.

My friend was heartbroken when her beloved dog died and they got their new one 4 days later! She is dog mad and absolutely had to have a new one straight away. There is no need to wait, she still misses her old dog very much and nothing will change that.

When my old boy died I initially thought "no more dog for me"
Then a week after I started to research breeds, just out of curiosity.
Then 6 months to actually settle on a breed and start the process.
Then 6 more months to wait to have my puppy.

If anything I enjoyed that break, I was able to travel for weeks on end, but now I know that there's no such thing as "no more dog for me", life is not easier but so much better with a dog.

A week.....our much loved greyhound was diagnosed with osteosarcoma and deteriorated extremely quickly. The house felt empty and we were very upset. A week after he was put to sleep, we went to the same rehoming kennels "just to have a look". They'd carefully picked one to introduce to us who was quite different in looks, size and temperament from our late boy. We took him home with us.....He's absolutely not a replacement, but a successor, and it was the right thing to do for us.

I’m so sorry. We waited two years, too paralyzed by grief. Meanwhile, a very good friend who loved her dog just as much had her new puppy in two weeks. It’s very much up to you. Or the both of you actually. Your DH may come round soon!

2 years.
I started looking after a year and it took another year to find the right one.

My immediate response was ‘best to wait’ but reading the posts, the grief is hard. If only we could simply replace a human but we can’t. If you can with an animal and it is a joy all round, I’d now say ‘why wait. Life is too short to have a hole where a bundle could be.

We have had several dogs and usually feel we need to wait around 6 months or so before we are ready. Our last dog was an incredible character and left a huge hole in our lives, she has been gone just over a year and we are now planning a puppy in the autumn.

Sorry for your loss OP.

We got a new dog 5 weeks after we lost our last one, both rescued from very similar and awful backgrounds. Not out of disrespect to our beautiful boy (wtf?) but as a testament to how much we loved him and learned from him. We wanted to provide a safe home to another unfortunate dog. I don’t think there’s any right or wrong time but having a new dog doesn’t mean you grieving or missing another.