2nd dog

[Lamontaine]

I have a 5 year old rescue dog who is quite settled and generally well behaved apart from
barking.
She goes to daycare once a week and has done since she was 1 and the daycare owner also breeds American shepherds. after a few discussions with them, we have the possibility to take a puppy from them next year (all being well).

They know our dog well and seem to think everything will be fine but I am terrified that it’ll be a disaster!

ive never had a puppy, our dog was 7months when we got her. It wasn’t plain sailing as she was nervous and still is quite anxious at times. Although I’d be getting the dog for us, I would like to hope it would add value to our dog’s life, provide her with a friend and company. I’d hate it to make her unhappy.

I’ll admit that I like a challenge and feel like a puppy could be a great addition to our family but I am so worried I’ll regret it. I am very aware it’s going to be hard work…

Anyone with similar experience? I need to confirm soon if we want to reserve the pup but I still feel unsure (maybe that’s my answer!).

If you’re unsure don’t do it. I don’t know anything about American shepherd dogs. I think it’s more important to choose the right breed for you, I’ve always had gun dog breeds (not worked them) so that’s what I tend to stick with.

Are you in a position to take a pup? Working? Time for training? How much do you know about the breed? Will daycare take an unneutered pup?

Do you mean a miniature American shepherd ?! That’s not a breed. That’s a puppy farmers dog of choice, in the UK. The breed club in the UK doesn’t have a single breeder than has less than six breeding bitches and they routinely encourage people to put down deposits for dogs not yet even born (claiming they need it for safety reasons because their dogs are so valuable - it’s not, it’s to lock you in and force you to not back out). They encourage merle/merle breeding (so the dogs get that unusual eye colour) which is not only negligent it’s dangerous.

You’d be mad to touch this woman’s puppies. Do you know anything about the ‘breed? Their energy levels? Temperaments? The woman’s breeding practices? How many bitches she has? How young and often she breeds them?

Nb: they just became recognised earlier this year as a breed BY the KC. It should never have been allowed given who’s it’s on their Breed Club council and was a disgraceful decision. I say a lot of critical things about poor breeding in general, but this bunch are the lowest of the low. I don’t care if the KC recognise them, you’d need your head read to get one. I’d rather someone got a cockerpoo off Donna (and everyone probably knows my hate for Donna by now) than touched this bunch of puppy farming tossers.

Google UK breeders. See what comes up. Whereas with a lab or a cocker you get puppy farmers and gundog breeder hits, with this breed it’s like cockerpoo breeders. Overbreeding, unethical practices etc. Even worse, large scale inbreeding given the lines in the UK basically all originate from the same 10-12 dogs. They encourage merle/merle breeding - which is not just unethical but causes health issues. Just have a google. Click on the first link. That’s who bought these dogs to the UK. Another person who says all the right things, claims health tests and then, when you actually pay attention, you realise she has no bitches over 5 and all her dogs have 3-4 litters.

Sorry, OP, but I would touch a puppy from this breed in the UK with a barge pole (US, possibly - the breed club isn’t full of puppy farmers, at least). Tbh I wouldn’t want my dog being looked after my someone involved in the breed either given they either knowingly partook or unknowingly partook in supporting bad breeding (I.e they’re either an idiot or they are unethical - neither things you want in someone looking after your dog). I’d walk away.

Edit; just to say they don’t know your dog. They have her one day a week. They don’t know her. Sounds like they’re pressuring you. Wonder why that is…possibly because they don’t have your dog or their puppies best interests at heart and they know you’ll feel compelled to say yes because you need the daycare?

I’ve got a 12 year old dog, content, happy, easiest girl ever. Got a puppy 9 week ago, she’s now 17 weeks old. Old dog was a bit like wtf initially but now they are friends and quite bonded. Don’t expect miracles but you need to allow time for them to get to know each other and the older dog to have their own space away from the puppy. Mine are both spaniels. No regrets here

Just to add to your quandary, we got a second lab (pup) for company for our 4 year old. It wasn't a complete disaster (as in fighting). But the older one was clearly wtf about the whole thing. We ended up for other reasons having to re-home the second one after 3 years (very, very happily) and you could see the relief of our older one.

Why do you want a second dog? Just for puppy cuteness? Because the breeder has convinced you it would be great? Use your desire for "challenge" to train your current dog (not saying they are not trained now, just take it up a level) ..rather than dealing with a puppy.

It is a risk. You won’t know how things will go until they happen.

My story is that I always had more than 1 dog, up to 3. And it was great. For the reasons you describe and I love having dogs around me.

Having lost 1 dog and down to one, she was perfect. Easy. A dream if a dog. Then we decided to get another one and from that day, a lot of the joy was sucked into managing the new one. For years. It wasn’t the new dogs fault, I don’t think it was all mine, but it was just the new dogs character that changed everything. I felt regret as life with the one I loved, who fitted, who was easy, was lost. For both of us!

With previous multiple dogs though it was fine and mostly enjoyable, there was female in female aggression towards the oldest. Quite the shock if I’m honest.

Now I will stick to my one lovely dog and not risk changing that. Yes I miss a house full of furry friends but I can’t take the risk of it not working again.

Ive always have 2 dogs I think it works well they are company for each other and when walking one says “hey look at this leaf/feather etc I’m sniffing” and the other one comes over and has a sniff. They play together (there is a 3 yr age gap with the current pair) sleep together and generally bumble around together. Importantly I can separate them although one requires more reassurance from the other or me and wouldn’t cope alone for more than an hour.
You say your dog barks, cardigan corgis have a tendency to bark they were bred to be watch dogs, my older one is not a big barker but the younger one does bark more than I like although this is improving and in the beginning it encouraged the older one to bark.
With regard to the breed, I’ve never heard of an American shepherd, dont get this puppy just because the people who run you day care breed them. My doggy day care breeds Rottweilers the mother has a lovely temperament appears very healthy and the rare times they’ve had a litter the puppies were gorgeous I wouldn’t get one for all the tea in China it’s not a breed that would work for me. Research the breed very carefully the breeder is going to tell you why they are amazing she breeds them so must love them. Ask yourself if I could have any breed in the world would this be my first choice or at best 2nd or 3rd. If no don’t get one.
I think it’s easier and if possible to have 2 dogs of the same breed, they hopefully have similar temperaments, characteristics breed traits you can approach training them the same way etc. I walk with a springer bred to work my younger dog loves her to bits but doesn’t understand when we’re out that the springers only interest is to flush out birds, she keeps trying to get her to play or just generally bumble around but the springer won’t the moment she’s let off the lead she just goes into working mode. Or you don’t want a dog with a huge exercise requirement and a total couch potato.
Lastly do you need to “confirm soon if you want to reserve a the pup”. You say the litter is being born next year is the bitch even pregnant? I know good breeders have waiting lists but somehow from reading your post it seems like too much pressure to buy this particular breed from this particular breeder. If the breeder can sense your hesitation then perhaps a good one should be saying leave it this time.

@TheHungryHungryLandsharks has put it much better than me! OP the KC recognises over 200 dog breeds, do your research find a breed that works for you and your current dog and then find a reputable breeder (I’ve always gone through the actual breed club) meet the dogs talk to the breeders and the decide if you want another one a good breeder won’t apply pressure.

@TheHungryHungryLandsharks thanks for you posts, I respect them hugely.

Thank you everyone for the inputs, much appreciated.

We’re not in the UK and the breeder is not putting any pressure at all on us. We approached her because we know her and her dogs and our dog is very happy at her daycare. We started considering another dog for many reasons - not for cuteness but because I love dogs and would like another one, enjoy being busy with them, think it would help my son who is lonely at the moment, keep dog 1 company etc. I wouldn’t usually consider a puppy would I would rather take a rescue but I worry again that my dog would have difficulty in accepting an adult dog compared with a pup.

I feel it’s a risk though and some of your comments have definitely confirmed this.

For the best part of twenty years we have had between 3-4 rescues. I am against buying a dog when so many are abandoned. Having more than one dog certainly can bring joy, but is also expensive and time-consuming. We’ve always had female dogs (mostly English Setters) but after our two aged Setters both passed away within months of each other at ripe old ages, shortly afterwards we adopted a male Setter. He’s massive even for a Setter. He was neutered when we got him, but he had already been adopted out and given back three times before we took him (this was not disclosed either!) He was 3 when we got him and is quite low energy for a Setter. He is, however, extremely destructive and was a bloody nightmare in the beginning. Being a softie, I was adamant that I wouldn’t be the one to give him back, but even now he pulls some stupid stunts. He’s been told off this morning for getting up on the kitchen counter and eating a cake I made yesterday. Good job there was not much sugar in it! I’m home all day, but had gone outside to sweep up fallen leaves and was only gone about five minutes. I have to have eyes on him at all times as he’ll get up to no good otherwise! He’s still very destructive at five. He’s a lovely dog and generally chill, but he’s a pain in the backside if out of sight even for a short time. I have no idea why he does this and am at a bit of a loss what to do, despite being an experienced and responsible dog owner. Initially I thought he had abandonment issues but now I’m not so sure. We had to take him practically everywhere with us until recently. Even now, he is never left alone, I have three adult sons so there’s always someone around. The other thing is that although my other dogs loved being out in the garden (which is walled off), he barks if you leave him out for longer than about five or ten minutes. He has a loud bark and you can hear it right down the street. We don’t want to upset the neighbours. He’ll want to go out, then bark continually to come back in. It seems he constantly wants to be close to humans and he pretty much ignores the other two dogs. My other two are both absolute angels in comparison. They are no trouble whatsoever. The dynamic of the pack changes generally with each new addition. It takes time for this to emerge. Our aging toy poodle was the alpha when we had the other dogs. Now it is our 3 yr old Kokoni who we’ve had since a puppy, who rules the roost. She’s tiny but bossy! As for taking a puppy from this woman, (or from anyone actually) I’d think more than twice! If you really want another dog, maybe choose to foster a dog which is out of the puppy stage, first to see how it goes and if it works out, then adopt. I can’t say I don’t love my dog, but I certainly wouldn’t have any more males in the future. Can’t say I regret taking him either, but I do wish things were different with him as it’s looking like this is not a phase he will grow out of. Having a dog means about 15 years of commitment. Think carefully before you commit. Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

@Lamontaine great you're not in the UK, because what they've done to the breed here is beyond cruel and genuinely devastating to see.

If you find a good rescue, they should make sure the two dogs spend lots of time together before you even take the rescue home. They should bring the dog to meet yours in neutral territory several times and possibly to your home and then away again (so they can see how your dog interacts with a visiting dog). They might do it differently where you are, but I'd have thought they were basics a good rescue should look to do when re-homing 😊

Best of luck!

Thanks for your advice @TheHungryHungryLandsharks

I have 2 dogs that are very different breed / type. Cockapoo & Tibetan Terrier. They tolerate each other at best and have very different needs in terms of exercise and training. To make matters worse, when I have my friends Tibetan visiting, the 2 Tibetans like to wind up the cookerpoo - easily done! But I have to step in for the sake of the cookerpoo.
So think carefully what type of puppy you add to your existing dog.