Hi everyone,

I have also been pondering this question for a while. I am a single mum who works full time with 2 kids (4 and 6) and we've wanted a puppy for a long time. I posted on here and got some excellent advice - some saying no way! and some saying go for it! A lot of breeders said no straight away but I found a few who were willing to listen and in the end saw a litter of beautiful Golden Retriever puppies at the weekend and have put a deposit down for one. The breeder knows my situation and she suggested I get two to keep each other company when I'm not there in the day (I will be getting a dog sitter for the middle of the day). So I have decided today that I will get two!! I am picking them up on Saturday 28th and I'm so excited!! Have started buying beds, bowls, toys etc!! Spent a small fortune already and now will have to double up on it all for the second pup!

It is so difficult to decide whether or not to have a puppy (or two!) when you work, but loads of people work and have dogs. If you have the dedication and commitment then I believe it can work. Having two will mean company for the pups when I am out. I'm not expecting an easy ride and I'm used to sleepless nights and clearing up all the time! I expect I'll be making some more posts on here - I think it's a great forum for advice.

Good luck to anyone else out there who is trying to make the same decision.

P.S. What's the best way to bring them home? Breeder suggested boot (it's a hatchback, we could see them and stroke them) with blankets etc, but I'm not sure. I don't like the idea of crates but might have to for the car journey - it's about 3 hours. What size crate would I need and can they be easily secured? Or would they be ok in the boot?

I'm sorry sarah, but no responsible breeder would recommend you take two pups from the same litter. I don't want to get into any kind of an argument as you will do as you see fit, but believe me, I really hope you are prepared for trouble. I was talking to a GR owner only 2 days ago who was regretting getting two pups, they have detroyed his house, are nigh on impossible to train, are wilful and take absolutely no notice of him when they are together. He is spending 2 hours a day training and having to walk them separately as they are a complete nightmare.

Please think about what you are taking on.

Chloe

Sarah - I must echo what Chloe has said. A reputable breeder would only suggest taking two from the litter if they knew you had a good strong doggy background and knew what you were taking on. It is highly unlikely that a reputable breeder would recommend two to someone who was working and has young children. It sounds to me like you have stumbled upon someone who can see the colour of your moeny rather than your situation at home.

I'm not saying don't get a puppy - but a Goldie does not seem the best for someone in your situation let alone two.

Pam n the boys

agree with chloe :(
it's not fair on the pups. Unless you can take a couple of months off work initially to train and housebreak, it will be nigh on impossible. A puppysitter can't train or housebreak your dog.
Did you not consider an older dog, even an older pup? even at 6 months old they are still babies.
So sorry to rain on your parade and don't want to cause any trouble.

Hi,

I did look into older dogs, rescue dogs etc but they all said no because of my working situation. Then I found this breeder from this website who has let me. But she didn't say yes straight away, she did grill me about the situation and gave me quite a hard time before she said yes! I am planning on taking some time off work initially. Hmmm, I knew that lots of people have this opinion. But then lots also have the opposite opinion. I guess different situations work for different people and dogs. Well I'm going to be optimistic!! These pups are going to have a fab life and certainly won't end up being rehomed. Thanks for the replies anyway.

Sarah.

Have to agree with all the others, no reputable breeder would sell two from the same litter.

Hate to put a damper on your joy, but please think again and if you definiutely want to go ahead, only go with one to start with.

If you do a search on this board you will see lots of advice against two pups of the same age, even if you are there all day, but as you are not what a nightmare you are in for!!!

Jayne

Please don't get two puppies at a time, unless you're an experienced dog owner. I have 2 from the same litter (home-bred, so I blame the breeder!) and it has been a nightmare. Now that they are coming up to 4 years old I'm beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel.

A single puppy will take up most of your time if you're home all day. Two puppies will take it all, and need more. They will have to be trained separately and walked separately for some time, so don't expect to have a life of your own. If you work fulltime, and have small children, I'm afraid you don't stand a snowball's chance of ending up with well-behaved dogs. Your belongings will be chewed, the children's toys will be destroyed, and your house will be used as a toilet for months. Is that what you want? That is the reality, I'm afraid.

I can't believe a reputable breeder would suggest you take two - that's a huge black mark against her. Have you seen copies of the sire and dam's health certificates?

I don't suppose you'll take my advice, but I can't in all honesty let you take such a step without warning you of the likely outcome.

Hi,

I'm sure she is reputable. I saw pictures of the dad and the mum and her sister and gran were there. There was certainly nothing to suggest anything was not right. The dogs there were very laid back, calm, gentle and affectionate. The puppies were playing and had loads of space. She said she would aways have two from a litter herself. I'm sure she only has the puppies interests at heart and not money. How would I tell though if this wasn't the case?

The fact that she would even consider selling you two from the same litter is enough to warn you.

Read Mattie's post on Buying littermates under General on this board

Sarah - the fact that she is encouraging you to have two from the same litter when you have young children and work full time sets the bells ringing for me. Just because they are listed in the breeders are of Champdogs does not make them reputable. All they have to do is pay their money and they are listed. It's up to you to do all the homework to check them out. What about health checks? Have the parents both been tested for hips and eyes? If not then walk away - there are always other puppies. What about aftercare, diet sheet, health checks and treatment for the puppies -worming, first vaccinations, how old the puppies now etc etc. Are they KC reg'd?

All things that point to a reputable breeder

hth

Pam n the boys

Hi,

They have the hip and eye scores. I've been given a diet sheet and info on worming, vaccinations, feeding etc. The puppies will be 7 weeks old when I pick them up and they are KC reg'd.

Hmmm, talk about being discouraged! But, I do see all your points of view but I'm sure she was only thinking about the welfare of the puppies when she suggested I get two.

Sarah.

kc reg/ hip and eye scores aside, even if these were 2 mongrel mutts (like my baby :)), it's still not a good idea. i think you are just trying to convince yourself because you have fallen in love with these no doubt beautiful pups.
Just look how quickly thenumber of replies to this post has totted up. people feel very strongly that you are making a mistake. No-one is trying to patronise you or anything, i think we all have yours and the dogs' interests at heart.
Please re-think.
Lynz

Sarah - all the things look to be there - but please please reconsider having two. Goldies are wonderful dogs but very hard work. My friend had one and the amount of exercise it needed was incredible. She lived with her parents so they helped out - but every day, rain or shine she was out at 6.00am for a 4 mile walk and then a 6 mile walk in the evening. He was a lovely boy but so strong. I couldn't hold him.

Good luck - whatever you decide.

Pam n the boys

Are the two pups both male, both female, or one of each? When they reach adolescence (when dogs become absolutely awful) they will most likely be fighting for superiority - between bitches these fights can be especially serious. If you get one of each sex, you will have to be very careful that you keep them apart for the 3 weeks the bitch is in season. No doubt at least one pup will have to be neutered, but this is best done at about 10 months of age for dogs, and midway between a bitch's first and second season, so you'll have one season to get through.

And of course Goldens will need a lot of exercise when they are grown! About an hour in the morning (rain or shine, winter and summer) before you go to work, and again when you come home. Will you be taking the children with you or will you have someone mind them while you are out? Perhaps a smaller, less demanding breed might be a better idea?

Hi,

They are two males.

Exercise won't be a problem. They will get one very long walk every day when they are old enough to take it. At the other end of the day it would either be another walk / run in a field or play in the garden. I'm also thinking of leaving the garden open to them when they are older (secured garden) - via a dog flap or something similar. I will take the kids with me and if I need to leave the kids with a neighbour at anytime while I walk the dogs I will be able to.

Sarah.

If I were you, I would go for something less high maintenance...because it gets very tiring walking an active breed - some days, you just don't feel like it. I only have experience with physically active breeds, as I prefer them to ones which require "mind work"...but I am sure someone will be happy to advise a good breed - especially if you are definitely getting a dog walker. At least that way when you get in from work and you are feeling a bit off colour or one of the kids is ill you don't HAVE to go out... ;)

The breeder could not have being thinking about the welfare of the puppies when she suggested you take two - no reputable breeder would dream of suggesting that you have two puppies when you work all day. Please reconsider - we have only your and the puppies' interests at heart. No one is trying to be discouraging for the sake of it, we are being discouraging because it is a very bad idea. If you take two, there is a very very strong probability that you will be back here in a matter of weeks admitting that you made a mistake. Do you really want to risk having to rehome one of the boys?

Only trying to help.

Hi Sarah - all I can say to you is this:

I have a Great Dane puppy (9 months). I am at home with him all day. He is walked for 50 mins a day, trained, and well looked after. He has still managed to chew the walls, eat plaster, wreck the conservatory, chew every piece of furniture I own, eat the seal off the washing machine twice, and has probably cost me £2000 in destroyed items. If I had had 2 pups, then the damage would have been that doubled at least! They wind each other up to the point where you have to separate them, which means you will have 2 lonely puppies on your hands. You will need to lead and heel train them separately, and please do be careful of them getting into fights (inevitably) when your children are around.

The problem with two pups is that they will bond with each other more than they will bond with you.

Its a huge reponsibility. I don't want you to have to go through the heartbreak of having to let one go, so please, think very carefully. I am a real dog mad person, have always had dogs, but I can honestly say I would have to think very hard about having a young pup again, the hard work involved tests even the most tolerant of us - and I would never consider two together :(

Sarah

Did you say you saw *pictures* of the mum and dad? The pups were not with the mother?? :(

I agree with everyone else - 2 pups from the same litter is ill-advised and for a breeder to let you have them seems very worrying to me.

My grandfather had 2 pups from the same litter, a couple of brothers (black labs). He has had dogs all his life, is home all day, walks them for 4 miles at least every day with much of that off the lead. He found it so difficult with the 2 of them when they were little that he sent them away to be trained for him. I'm not sure of any details about that, but he was pleased with the results and the dogs were easier to manage afterwards.

That said, he rarely goes anywhere because other people who might welcome you with your family and a dog are a lot less likely to welcome you with 2 dogs.

How easy do you find it at the moment to go somewhere without your children - do you have lots of support and babysitters? How will you manage 2 dogs on leads pulling you along and not being able to hold your childs hand at the same time?

Have you thought about vet costs? I just had our lab speyed and it cost me £112. Her microchip cost £15 and her insurance is going to cost £12.50 per month. Her food costs over £30 per sack and the sack might last about a month. Innoculations are about £50 I think, and of course if you go on holiday and have to pay kennel costs it'll be appx. £7 per day each, maybe more!

I am a married stay-at-home mother with 3 children, 2 in full-time school and the other one a toddler at home with me. I have got a 5yo labrador that we adopted 3 weeks ago. She is already housetrained, reasonably well trained in general and has fitted into our family beautifully.

However, before she came to us, I rehomed a 7 month old puppy. The pup was a crossbreed that I got from our local dogs home. I've had dogs all my life, have had a puppy before, have had 2 dogs at some points in my life, and I found the puppy too much to cope with. She was simply too hyperactive for us. When she went, I sobbed my heart out and still do... I miss her a great deal. The difference between her and the 5yo labrador is so enormous!

Please think again about the two pups. I think you'll struggle with one - how will you even attempt housetraining for example?

Jo

Hi

Sarah has agreed to stick with one pup - and I read it that she saw pics of the dad but met the mum

Chloe :)

I have an 8 month chocolate lab who is the joy of my life, but boy is she hard work. I am lucky I work from home and can spend quality time walking her, playing and training her. I believe that you can raise a puppy if you go out to work, but you will get back what you put in... I personally couldn't do it. As to getting 2 pups, sure, they'll keep each other company...but they'll also get into twice as much trouble, take twice as much training and will probably bond to each other and not to you. I think you sound like you can offer a pup a good home, you seem to have a lot of love, but please don't make things harder for yourself by getting 2 pups, it would be much better to wait for an 18 month or more gap between the two. I thought I would cope so well with having a puppy, but I hold my hands up and say that I nearly fell off the edge a couple of times during those early months... she still tests me now.
Good luck and take care making your decision.

I was always under the impression hat only the VERY experienced should take two pups from the same litter . Every book I have read says that there is the pack mentality when bringing up two together and you have to be even more disciplined with them. If you are not there throughout the day how can you teach them ?
A dogwalker will not be sufficient while you are not there . I have no doubt you feel as though you are doing the right thing, especially afer encouragement by the breeder but I really would take the advice on the Board .
I would love another pup in the future but I think we have to be realistic not just hopeful. It is hard work especially when they are both learning .
I am surprised at the breeder as I am aware that quite a number of breeders are reluctant to let pups go with children in the family even .
If you are serious abou two pups I think you need to be there full time keeping an eye on them .
What happens when they get out of control when playfighting etc with no one to supervise - and before you say its ok - EVERY pup playfights
Lel
Please rethink

I'm afraid I totally agree with the rest, DON'T DO IT!! I personally would NOT sale one puppy to anybody that works full time, let alone two! Two young pups left alone in the house would cause absolute chaos, those first few weeks/months of being in a new home they need constant attention to teach them the rights and wrongs, obviously you need to work so I would say the time isn't right just yet for a puppy, maybe an older dog would be more suitable that has been used to being left alone during the day?

Nothing personal, just my opinion :-)

Hi Sarah,
I.ve been reading all the posts and I have to say that I completely agree with everyone.
To take on one pup will be a hard enough task when you have a young family and work all day, but I feel that two will be a complete nightmare :(
I have a goldie and he's great, but he is so energetic, and when he was a baby, he was SO demanding!
I've also had dogs all my life, but at that point in time, I couldn't imagine ever having two babies at the same time. I understand that you've made your decision, which probably hasn't been helped with the breeders input! but please reconsider ... if you must have a puppy, get one - see how you get on and then later, if you feel the dog needs another companion, consider it then. I do think you're setting yourself up for a fall. Sorry I know how excited you must be, we're looking to get another dog soon, and you do get carried away with the notion of it all, but it's incredibly hard work.
Sharon

Hi

I can understand your feelings - pups are so cute and if a breeder says to get 2, can understand why you would believe this is the right thing to do. But to be honest, i personally dont think you should even contemplate getting such a young pup when you are having to work full time at thhe moment. No matter what the breed, they are like babies, and are very rewarding but very very hard work. All of that has been said before here so sorry for rambling.

The point of my post is about your comments about rescues not rehoming to people who work full time. I am actively invloved in the fostering, homechecking and rehoming of dogs and can honestly say that each dog is assessed and the owner matched to the dog. I have rehomed to people who work on numerous occasions. Its not always ideal - but it does work if you are careful about the dog you take on.

Lets face it, I have 3 dogs and dont work, but my husband could leave me tomorrow and i would have to go to work full time. I would simply have to find a way of getting my dogs looked after. BUT it is a different matter doing that for older dogs, not pups, - dogs who are already housetrained and have learned to play by themselves to some degree.

So whilst not wanting to dampen your spirits,please think again about the pups. If you do reconsider and want to persue a rescue dog again, please e-mail me and we can talk. Best of luck with whatever you decide.

Jane

I am afraid I agree with everyone else. I got my 17 mth old newfie bitch when she was 9 weeks old and then got her littermate at the age of 6 mths as his owners didnt want him anymore. I thought because my newf was already well behaved, excellent with recall and good on a lead, no probs with other dogs etc and had already had 6 mths to bond with me that things would be okay. I dont regret having the boy but even though they didnt spend the first 6 mths together they started to bond together almost immediately and when called wouldnt come unless both came. If one was naughty they both were. I had to take them out and train them separately for months. still do now every once in a while. Plus I have owned dogs all my life, if I was a first time owner I think I would have dispaired of them ever getting better. I only work till midday, If I worked full time I realistically could not have coped with them. Sorry to be negative but having done it myself I wouldnt do it again.

Sarah - you will soon see if the breeder is reputable when you say you have decided only to have one - if she/he tries a sales pitch on you for the other, offers the other half price or tries to lay the guilt trip on you, you will have your answer.

2 puppies to train is a nightmare !!!

Sarah,

I have two Labrador puppies (now 8mths old) from the same litter and in the right circumstances I would probably be one of the few here who would have supported your decision to take two sibblings. I've never regretted my decision but then I was a previous Labrador owner and I am at home all day and can devote the incredible amount of time and effort needed to look after them.

But from what you have said in your post: "I am a single mum who works full time with 2 kids (4 and 6) and we've wanted a puppy for a long time" I really don't think this is the ideal situation.

As I said I am at home all day (I work from home) but you wouldn't believe how much time and effort it takes to look after two puppies. They need constant attention when they are young and you have to watch them like a hawk or you won't have any house left ! Typically one will go off in one direction to find something to destroy while the other goes off the other way, you need to be in two places at once !

They also need to be house trained which is far more difficult with two because you have to watch them both all the time for any signs that they might want out before they mess your house ... it's hard enough with one but with with two it's 100% attention all the time !

Take it from someone who has done this, what I've mentioned is just the tip of the iceberg.
If you are working full time as you say with two young kids then PLEASE don't take two puppies you really are asking for big trouble !

Sorry to be so negative, as I say if it were the right circumstances I'd support you !

Hi Sarah

I can imagine just how down you must be feeling - with all of us saying "don't take on two puppies" [ talk about throwing a wet blanket over your dreams - but believe me, it's better to be down now, than to be really down in three or six months time, when, wracked with guilt you are wondering which of the two you must part with - or both - because you haven't got the time to train the two of them separately - ane they don't listen collectively.

We kept two puppies from our litter of Aussies - had really only planned to keep one, but somehow we couldn't bear the thought of letting one little boy go either - and it really is hard work training two of them. They want to play (and fight) with each other - so ok, they do keep each other company. The trouble is, they egg each other into trouble - it's like the old saying my father in law had - one boy is one boy, two boys is trouble and three boys ain't worth the effort. It's really hard work, getting each one to bond with you more than with the other - and to train them - just walking to heel, sitting, staying etc, you have to spend three times the time with them - it does mean "double walkies" - ok - it's good for you - but as you say, you are a single mum, with all the responsiblities etc that entails - you already have to have eyes in the back of your head with the kids - I've had to leave kids to chase puppies before - and you don't know which to grab first!

After all this, I don't really regret keeping both Beau and Vinnie - but I did know the work it would entail, and our kids are all grown now - and, for a mum with a young family, I would say think once, twice - and again before deciding whether you do keep two or not.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Love

Margot

Hi Sarah,
I did try to reply to this earlier on today, but i got old 'l parkins' again, adn my reply was lost.

I can imagine it must be pretty horrible to be reading all these negative posts.... but please, take it from someone who has in the past asked for advice from experienced people, and ignored it when it didnt suit me.

I have indeed learned the hard way, not with taking on two puppies at the same time, but with saying yes to taking on dogs i couldnt cope with, and didnt have the experience for. One incident was when my mother said i could take on a terrier pup of 6 months. I had a fair idea of the behavioural problems he had, and i didnt really want a terrier at all, but it was that or nothing, and i chose to have him.
He ended up being rehomed, because i could not cope at all, with the pressures of going to college, coming home and finding the pup had wrecked my mums house.

Nowadays, (mostly!) i listen to advice, i should never have taken on Scruffy, it didnt do me or him any favours, and it cost me several thousand pounds to repair the damge he did to my mums house. After him i seriously doubted my ability to be a dog owner at all!

I have 3 dogs, aged 5, 3 and 10 months. I do not work, and i am home all day, BUT, i would not consider myself experienced enough to take on two puppies, litter mates, and of a large breed, at the same time. No way. For all the reasons stated in the other posts.

It will all end in tears, as i have seen happen so many times. My neighbour next door, she has had dogs a long time, (she is also not a nice person, btu thats a different story), she knows the score, knows what to expect, but she took on two Westie pups (from a puppy farm), and in the end admitted defeat, and sold one of them.
Despite the fact that i dont like her, or the way she treats her dogs, i can recognise that she does have more experience of living with dogs than i do, adn she is also home all day, and even she couldnt cope with two puppies at the same time.

I had a friend at college, whose mother breeds WSS, including the Italian Spinone, and the Cocker Spaniel, they have 8 dogs, who all live in the house. She is home all day. Even she wouldnt keep back two pups from a litter, and she has been a dog owner, and breeder for about 20 years!

Please please make all our day, and tell us that you are not going to take on two puppies.
I still think you would be better off searching for a rescue dog, it can be done, and if you email me, i can let you know of several rescue centres that most certainly wont discount your offer of a home, just because you work.

If you are still determined to take on a puppy, i would suggest that you take a minimum of a fortnight off work, for the first weeks the pup is home. I cannot imagine trying to raise a puppy, and house train it, if i was out all day, i felt awful, for being out once a week for 3 hours! and its amazing how far it set Dills housetraining back (its only come good in the last few weeks!).

Em

Hi

I have a 5month old GSD, I absolutly adore him....But.......He is a bloody handfull. I am at home all day every day and he gets plenty of attention, I have written posts here asking advice and we are SLOWLY getting there. He is still nipping (He used to draw blood on a regular occation but I can see he is getting better, not so rough anymore) He still eats his poo (if I dont manage to get there 1st to pick it up, and believe me you cant ALWAYS) He still tries to steal the remote control (because it is much more tasty than the 100000 chews that we have for him. Although finally he is listening when I say 'leave')
It has been a tough old 3 months, my partner almost through us out (I say 'us' because I wouldnt get rid of the dog, he is my baby :D) But he is more understanding now.
All that is just a tiny bit of my puppy life:)

What I'm saying is, not ALL puppies are as naughty as mine as I too have had others who behave fantasticly. But also, what happens if yours ARE as bad as mine....2???? You will not be able to cope if they are whilst trying to bring up 2 children aswell.

And if they do nipp like mine, believe me it hurts...They are only playing but It would hurt your children if they decided that they want to play with the 2 puppies that lived there 1st (because the kids will be more the puppies height and they will be thinking this) I dont want to scare you but puppies are not human and do not understabd all that we tell them, I am just warning you of what is possible.

Good luck anyway

Zoe

Sarah!

I was one of the posters that said that working and having a puppy was possibel if approached in the right way but I WOULD NEVER encourage it with 2 littermates!!!!!!!!

WE plan to get Darcy a companion but not until she is well over a year old and probably closer to 2 years old.

Like I told you before I had nearly a month off work when we got Darcy but it was still like going to a full time job!!!!
She was such hard work, especially when I went back to work I cant even begin to imagine how hard two must be, especailly with 2 children as well!!

You need 4 arms for one puppy, so you'd need 8 arms for 2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So unless you have octupus tendancies :D I would reconsider and try just one puppy.
If you get on and feel you could manage easily with another then you could buy another one a couple of months later!!!!!!!!!!!

I know all these negative posts must be horrible but everyone is speaking from experience and are only trying to help you and your puppy!!!!!!!!

Good Luck with whatever you decide to do

Rachael

Well, thanks for all the replies!! I am beginning to rethink...

But, I had told the breeder yesterday of my decision to have two and she has replied this morning saying she thinks it's much better to have two at the same time instead of one now and one later. I am still sure that she is reputable and she only cares about the puppies but she is also speaking from experience of having one puppy and then two puppies together.

So I just don't know what to do. If the first year is really hard but then they calm down and get on it would be worth it but if it's likely to be years of hard work then I don't know...

Can they be obedience trained together? Commands like Sit and Down can be taught to two dogs at the same time...? House training I'm told is much the same with one as with two. Are they likely to hurt each other when I am out?

I am so confused! I guess I'd be happier with one and then seeing about another one later...although I can just imagine two dogs loving each other and playing with each other...so sweet.

The thing is with one and with me being out of the house for most of the day, will one be too lonely? I know that lots of people do work full time and I don't want a debate about working full time vs having a dog because I've gone all over that, but now I've been thinking of two I've been thinking how wonderful it would be for the pups, and now I think if I only get one it will be cruel, but I'm only thinking that since I've been thinking about getting two! Does that make any sense at all?

I guess what I want to know is, will the dog be happy? Will it know that it's left all it's brothers and sisters or will it adapt in time and be quite content with being the only dog...?

My last dog was a gorgeous Gordon Setter and she was an only dog, but she was part of the family and we all adored her, but I often wished that she could have had a friend to play with...:(

What about getting a 2nd pup later on - does this work???

I've so rambled on now, but I really appreciate all your advice.

Thank you,

Sarah.

And I'd thought of two names....Ollie (Oliver) and Jake... :confused

That confused smiley thing didn't work then...

Now I know why...anyway, you probably didn't need that to tell that I'm confused!

Hi Sarah

I can understand your confusion - the breeder is saying one thing and everyone here is saying the opposite. But I hope that the experiences you have read about here will convince you that, however lovely the idea of having 2 pups sounds, the day to day reality will be completely different.

I waited 5 years before getting a second dog - like you I thought it would be nice for him to have a playmate. But if he could speak I'm sure he would have told me he was fine being the only dog. Although mostly they get along together OK, and I love them both dearly, if I could turn the clock back I would have stuck with just the one.

Dogs do like company which is why its a hard decision to make to get one when you work!!!!

But Darcy has been fine so far by herself. She plays quite happily by herself with her toys (i've sneaked home early and watched her through the window) but like I said before she does then want lots of attention when we get home!!!

If the puppies had each other they wouldnt bond nearly as well with you.

House-training is hard enough when you work. Darcy still has accidents at 6 months. When she was younger and weeing a lot, the house stank!! It was horrible. and you would have twice as much wee!!! uuugh

Also how would you go to obedience classes. You would have to do two separate classes and then the other one would be on its own while you were out!!! You're supposed to walk them separately when young as well, so the other one would be on its own!!!!!!

I've never had two puppies together so anythign I say is theoretical but I imagine its like having twins but harder (sorry if thats wrong to people who have had twins) becasue they can move around and go off in different directions!!!!!!
What do you do if ones eating your favourite shoe in one corner and the others eating your favourite top in another.
Like I said you'd need 8 arms and 4 legs!!!!!!

It is hard and you do feel guilty leaving one puppy on its own. I nearly cried the first day I went back to work!!!!!
But better that then getting two and having them both rehomed when you just cant cope!!!!
Take it a step at a time and introduce a second puppy when you're used to the trials and tribulations of one!!!!!

Edit : forgot to say, might the breeder be recommending two because she'll get twice the money!!!!!

OK - let me guess, she said: "2 will play together, grow up together, keep each other company, and put less pressure on you... if you get one later then the one might not accept the other, or the older one could hurt the younger one" etc etc
Yes, she's right - but you must think about YOU aswell as the puppies! Its very easy to think at the beginning that you will easily cope with all the upheaval and extra commitment a puppy brings, but nothing can prepare you for it... its a change in the way you run your life, a dramatic change! Put another puppy of the same age into the equation and you have four times the trouble!

You can't "down" and "sit" train 2 pups at the same time, they will be too busy playing with each other, they won't even take any notice of you. So you would have to separate them... then the other will start going banana's because he will want to be where his brother is, and the other won't listen to you for the same reason. Much door scratching and frustreated chewing of kitchen cupboards will follow for the isolated one....

House training is the same, if one pup has an accident in the house then the other will be led by the smell to do the same, you would have to house train them separately I guess...and you must think of the hygenie aspect with having 2 kids.

Your instincts are telling you to wait for the 2nd puppy, I know they are - do not let this breeder push you, you will regret it! You will be exhausted, irritable and worried sick about what you are coming home to after work. Remember, they are cute and cuddly at 7 weeks, they are teenagers at 7months, capable of wreaking havoc and wrecking your house.

Please reconsider, save yourself all the hassle and heartache.

Sarah,
Having had 2 litter brothers (as I said before, they were homebred and the second one stayed because nobody wanted to buy him - one of the hazards of breeding!), and I wish I could put my hand on my heart and say it's been no worse than one puppy. But it has. I'd be lying if I said otherwise.

I have had dogs all my life, and had 4 others when we kept these pups - so I'm used to having lots of dogs about.

I couldn't obedience train 2 at a time - training is only any good if it is one-to-one. You have to concentrate so very very hard at getting the timing of your praise right - and they won't be doing the same thing at the same time!

As regards the housetraining - when you come downstairs and find a poo on the floor you don't know which pup has done it! So you have to go back to basics with both of them to make sure you win!

Dogs at adolescence (from about 9 months to 18 months) invariably have squabbles about who's got the best toy etc, and these can certainly turn serious. If you're not there, you may come home to find a disaster.

My two boys are only now beginning to 'come right' - they will be 4 years old in August. They will still 'size each other up' over nothing at all and have to be separated - but then they also lick each other's ears and sleep in the same bed when it's cold. They are much closer to each other then they are to us.

A dog's best friend is the animal or person it spends most of its time with. If you want it to be you and your children, you must make sure that the pup spends more time with you all than with anything else. If it spends more of its time with its sibling, then it will bond closer with that sibling, and you will go down the list of important things in the dogs life. Not ideal in a family pet. You then have the makings of a pack....

If you must have a pup (and I can understand the longing!) then get just one, and train it well. Then you can get another pup with a clear conscience in the knowledge that you know what you're letting yourself in for a second time!
:)

I am another "voice of experience" who would never, ever recommend two pups of the same, or very close in age.

To answer some of your questions

No, they cannot be obedience trained together - this will have to be done separately and they should be kept separate as much as possible so they learn that you are the centre of their world (difficult when you are at work all day, then having to do shopping, cooking, look after children, sleep, eat etc) rather than each other. Unless a dog is focussed on its owner there is no point in trying to train it properly

House training is much more difficult with two - how do you know who has made the puddle or mess unless you were watching at the time. The smells this leaves will give the impression it is okay to "go" there.

Yes, it is possible that they will hurt each other while you are out.

Two puppys are not 2 x 1 puppy as most people imagine. One puppy with a cushion, for instance, will probably chew the corner, shake it, then lay down and demolish it. Two puppies will play tug of war with it and the contents spread much further than you can possibly imagine. Curtains are another thing = they make wonderful beds but have to be removed (complete with rails) first and shredded just a bit to make them softer.

Christine

Right, I've done it. I've just emailed the breeder and told her that I have decided it will be much wiser to just have the one puppy...

Thanks to you all for your help and advice. I kind of knew I was kidding myself from the start and I don't always take people's advice when it doesn't suit me, but I have to think of the pups, myself and my children.

Thank you to the offers of maybe rehoming an older dog, but I had already paid my deposit for the one pup after previously being refused rescue dogs. However, if the time comes when I'm ready to take on another dog then I shall look into rehoming one.

I'm sure I'll be back with more questions when I have the new pup - can't wait! Pick him up on the 28th.

Thanks again!!

Sarah.

Well done you :) A big relief!

40 posts and just about all of them in agreement - must be a record :D

Christine

Sarah,

I admire you for that !

You have listened and made the correct decision, one pup is more than enough at the moment.

I hope you & your children enjoy your new puppy when you get it. :)

Well done !

Sarah - Well Done! :)
I'm sure that you've made the right decision - you'll now be able to concentrate all your efforts in to bringing up one puppy, and seeing it turn into a beautiful, well behaved (hopefully!) dog.
Good luck and don't let the breeder turn you around again - it really will be for the best.
Good Luck - Bet you can't wait until the 28th!!!
Luv
Sharon

Hi,
Once you have bought up your pup and have the experiance ,if you think about getting another in the future I am sure the breeders will be happier about you having another with young children.Good luck with your pup!!
Hazel

Good luck Sarah - I don't think you'll regret your decision at all -in a month's time you will see what we all mean!!

Enjoy your puppy!!

Margot

Well done Sarah, it takes guts to ask for advice and follow it when it isn't what you really wanted to hear.

I've had dogs for my whole life but this latest one is a handful not all the time but when he is if he'd been two I'd have been round the bend.
Good luck with your pup and please keep us uptodate
Anne

Sarah

Well done on making the right descision ! Enjoy your boy when he arrives and do not hestitate to come on here and ask for advice if you are unsure about anything ! :)

It is so nice that everybody has given well thought out and constructive advice on this !! :D

I am sure you will be counting down to the 28th !!

Lucy

Well done Sarah - it takes guts to do that. I admire you!

You won't regret the decision I assure you. One at a time is more like fun and less like a chore and hard work!

My two boys still need separate walks, when they are lovely - they don't run off too far, they come back when they're called, they're friends with other dogs we meet.....when I take them out together they work as a team - I can take a long walk off a short plank for all they care! :( They will come back - but only when they've investigated all the rabbit holes in all the hedges in all the fields we walk in. One-to-one they are super - together they're a chore.

So good for you. Let us know when you've picked him up and we can share your excitement.
:)