Hi, I've come on here for some advice please.  We have a rising 8yo JRT girl called Pip.  She's a rescue dog & we've had her for almost 3 yrs - we're her 3rd home and she won't be going anywhere because although she was never trained properly as a youngster she's very sweet & fantastic with our 2 children (6 & 10).

For some time now I've had a real wish for a dog to own from a puppy to train ourselves and bring up properly.  I don't know if it's to do with the fact DD is growing up so fast but this puppy wish is fast turning into a real urge!  Yes, I know puppies grow up but I'd love to have one from scratch & see it progress.

My kids of course love the idea.  DH isn't at all keen (he says 1 is bad enough) but if it's what I really want I really think he'd be behind me.  He says if I want another to wait til Pip has died :0(  I however think she'd like having a little friend - she plays with dogs I meet on walks but lets them know when she's had enough without going for them.  She loves to play & is always up for pulling on a tug rope!

I work from home, love to walk and be outside, we're an active family and Pip is not left alone for more than a few hours.  Of course I don't know how Pip would react - it would need careful management but she is generally fine with other dogs. 

Am I being mad to even consider this?  I really feel it's not my heart ruling my head but am I being rather misguided do you think?

Many thanks

I would never go back to just one dog, not matter how we have adapted them to be our companions and to live with our human families I still feel that being able to live with their own kind is so much nicer.

For me I felt less pressure to be my dogs only source of company and entertainment, and it is so interesting watching them interact.  Also much better when you go away for them to be boarded or looked after together.

Also having lost my first and only dog, since having more than one when one dies you still have the others to have to look after, so I personally find their loss easier to deal with.

I think my husband preferred one dog too.  It's not that he doesn't love the others, he really does, but he thinks life was probably a bit easier with only one.  In truth, I didn't notice any negative changes when we added our second dog, for me all the changes were positive.  The big difference came when we added a third!!

Two dogs, that get on well together, are a joy and I do think that older dogs can really enhance the puppy experience by adding a steadying influence.  Some older dogs are also rejuvenated by the addition of a youngster.  However I do know that isn't always the case and much depends on your ability to work hard on their relationship as well as devoting time to each individual dog.

Don't consider it if your husband is really opposed to the idea though as puppies are hard work and your new addition will test your resolve many times over before it turns into the well trained adult dog you're aiming for.  Even the best of puppies will go through phases that have you questioning your 'good idea' let alone a slightly unwilling spouse!!

That said I've (we've) never regretted getting another dog and doubt that we'll ever just have one again :)

> Am I being mad to even consider this?

I don't think so :-) I love watching the dogs interact with each other, and although they all play with me they also get great pleasure out of each others company.

It sounds like your girl would be fine with another dog, but as she is a terrier I would be careful to choose a breed that wouldn't be likely to challenge her. Preferably not another terrier, or if it must be, then a dog rather than a bitch.

>and it is so interesting watching them interact

This is one of my greatest pleasures.  And has definitely given me a better understanding of canine behaviour. 

I've wasted time today watching my largest Beardie lie on her bed, while my Yorkie boy has been jumping on her, asking to play.  It was a joy to watch.  I know which dog will go to which "friend" when looking for fun.  Sometimes, just watching can give us a better knowledge of dogs and their ways.

> I love watching the dogs interact with each other, and although they all play with me they also get great pleasure out of each others company

Definitely - BUT - we were in a similar position to the OP. We had one rescue dog and daughter (16) wanted a puppy (and a dog to do agility with, which is another story) ! :) Although our two dogs get on together well enough, they are not best friends :) They rarely play together, never snuggle up together and we are firmly of the opinion that the older dog would much rather have been an only dog - he is devoted to my OH and just wants to spend all day with him :) :) It is reassuring for US that the dogs have each other if we go out or they have to go into kennels while we are away.

Just don't assume that every dog automatically wants to share his life with another dog, even if he is happy to play with other dogs outside of the house :) :) :)

> Just don't assume that every dog automatically wants to share his life with another dog, even if he is happy to play with other dogs outside of the house

True there are dogs like Bramble that would rather be only dogs, I think most dogs like doggy company though. But, to be on the safe side, as I've already said I would avoid dogs that may clash - like another terrier bitch. Then even if the OPs bitch would rather not have canine company at least she should tolerate it :)

> Then even if the OPs bitch would rather not have canine company at least she should tolerate it

Tolerate is the right word where Bramble is concerned :) :) He is very fond of small dogs - maybe we should have got something small - but OH hates small dogs !! Can't please everyone all of the time :)

Thanks everyone for all your responses - I'll be showing them to my husband later!!  I think he is realising I am taking this seriously - it's not just a 'fad' and, dare I say it, he may be slightly coming around to the idea - fingers crossed!  I wasn't planning to get another terrier type - something like a Spaniel (Cavalier?) and I do love Labradors.  I'll have to search on here for good breeds with children that also won't provoke Pip.

Daisy, on the few occasions when Pip has been boarded with other dogs apparently she loves to play - she's really active and will search out someone to play with her so I'm hoping that all will be well.  I'll find out about how to introduce a pup and an older dog too when and if we do take the next step - I'm in no rush and want to make sure we get the right addition for all of us ..... Pip included.

Thanks again

>Don't consider it if your husband is really opposed to the idea though as puppies are hard work

OR,,,,,    Do what I did!  :-)

When hubby said "Any more dogs and I'm going." 

I looked into 3 pairs of brown eyes and said "And we'll miss him won't we?"   :-)  :-)  :-)

Sorry dogs a babe, couldn't resist!  :-)

Honestly Jean - the things we do for the dogs!!

My somewhat less than enthusiastic husband nearly left our 3rd puppy, with me, on the roadside after 3 hours of his poochiness yelling almost non stop on the way home.  We'd just stopped to do a quick paper change and I'm sure my husband was wondering if he could just slide the crate out and leave us both there.

About 20 miles from home the pup finally fell asleep, mid shout, after peeing on my arm :)  Mind you, from that point on he was a very good boy and endeared himself to my husband by settling down in his crate by our bedside at night and never uttering a sound til morning.  I think he'd got all his shouting done in one go!!

I have thought long and hard about this very subject.  My Meg has been a difficult dog and she still has her unfathomable moments.  What makes her suddenly turn and snap is beyond me - my husband always gets the brunt of it.  I have largely learnt to live with my odd little collie and her ways.  He has had to learn that Meg does not bear him a grudge, she is not doing it on purpose and all the other things that may be human characteristics but not a dogs.  Now she is getting on for 8 years old I can't wait until her time is out to consider another dog - my age doesn't allow that.  My husband dearly wants a dog that he can really relax with and enjoy fully.  Meg will never be that dog - she is my dog - I do agility with her and really enjoy her.  She is affectionate in her own way - she is just not a dog to cuddle up to.  Some folks may think I am mad to take on another dog - but I am determined to have another go and use all the things I have learnt with the next one.  I really hope that Meg appreciates the company too.  It is starting to become a reality - my friend's dog is due to come into season soon :-)

Oh good luck Ceejay!

My bubble has burst - had another chat to DH and he REALLY doesn't want 2 dogs.  We could rehome Pip again, have a break and then have a puppy (no, I'm not prepared to do that; Pip has done nothing wrong and she deserves better than that) or that's it - stick with just Pip.  When she passes on we can have a puppy but he won't consider it now.

Pants.  So rubbish.  Really fed up now; done a lot of research and decided it's between a Cavalier and Cocker Spaniel but now all ground to a halt.  I even bought a copy of 'The Puppy Primer' which looks excellent so will read that now in preparation for our new puppy - not that I don't wish Pip a long and happy life of course. 

Oh well, it was a lovely idea whilst it lasted - such is life :o(

> Oh well, it was a lovely idea whilst it lasted - such is life

Yes :( But it's far better to realise that it isn't the right time to have another one than to just get one and regret it later :) :) Now would be an ideal time, in many ways, for us to get another dog, but it really wouldn't be a good idea to add a third to our current two. There are too many people who just get another dog as tho' it were a new pair of shoes without considering all aspects of training, money, how it's going to get on with existing dog etc etc - it's just not fair to the dog and that's the most important thing :)

Pip isn't going to know any different and as long as she is much loved, then you have done the right thing :) :)

I just brought my pup home one night.  Walked in about 10pm with her.  I had previously sort of mentioned her a few times (about onve an hour on average) and he said categorically No.  I figured he would not make me take her back once he saw her.  I was right, that said the dog has outlived our relationship but that is a whole other can of worms lol

> the dog has outlived our relationship

Not surprisingly surely when major decisions ike that aren't made together :-D

Due to the fact that Pip is 8 years old, I think the major thought process needs to be where do you envisage your life 10 years from now? Your children will be 16 & 20 and Pip will have already passed or be very close to it. If you imagine when your children are grown you may want a little freedom without the tie of a dog then probably best not to get another as you would still have another 3-10 years of dog ownership from the new pup.

If you imagine that your life would always wish to accommodate around a dog/s then of course a new pup would be wonderful, if your husband is not keen perhaps he is thinking further ahead than you. :-) We all love and adore dogs on here and they become a large focus of your life when you have them, myself I've always planned the gaps in-between ownership when I know I want more freedom.

It's very important to fit a dog in with a lifeplan along with all the other reasons, so that they are never if possible 'in the way' or re-homed due to changes in circumstances a dog should be for life to get the best out of each other always. (Sorry I'm giving you my potential puppy owners speech :-D, but you get the gist :-) )

Shucks, just noticed your post further down and your decision, best one if both hearts are not in it.

Have you considered being a foster home for guide dogs, no real ties to a dog as they change around, but the pleasure of another dog on and off.  Worth a thought........ :-)

Am I glad that getting another dog etc has been my decision alone and don't have to negotiate with anyone else.

My Mum and I went and picked up a pup 5 months after my Dad said no more because we all got so upset when they died, we walked across the factory floor with this moth eaten specimen on the end of the belt of my raincoat, Dad was saying "don't expect me to get up in the night etc", Rusty ended up being more attached to him than the rest of us, Dad would move over in his chair to make a gap for him to lie down, when he passed away 13yrs later there was no problem getting a new pup a few months later.

> My bubble has burst

That's is a shame mumofpip - but I hope you will have another opportunity later on. 

I would echo Carrington's suggestion of being a puppy walker for a service dog.  Not just Guide Dogs, but Canine Partners, Hearing Dogs and so on - they all need puppy walkers.  It just depends on which charity you're nearest to, geographically.  That way you can get your puppy fix without a long term commitment to a dog, and also know you are doing good and being useful in raising a service dog.

That would be a lovely idea but DH is against the idea of having 2 dogs in the house.  He's convinced that Pip hides, waits for him and then runs out under his feet at the last moment hence causing him to almost trip up lol!  Had a lovely walk with Pip yesterday (despite her rolling in fox poo grrrrr) and she's been like my little shadow the last few days; wonder if she knows how close she came to being a big sister.  Dread to think what 'tricks' she'd have taught a little one!!

Forgot to say, this has been a good learning exercise for me anyhow.  I will be getting our pup (whenever it happens) from a KC breeder, I know the questions to ask, I know to make sure both parents have had the relevant tests, to make sure they've been reared in the house and to ensure that they come with a pack with pedigree, 4 weeks insurance, copies of certificates etc.  I was horrified by the amount of people who are selling puppies on free ad type papers including somewhere that sounded like a glorified puppy farm.  Yes, the dogs were cheap but I dread to think what went on behind the scenes.  Course I may be being overly cautious but I want to have the best little puppy I can have with a clean bill of health and healthy parents, plus be socialised already not stuck in some kennel without Mum.