Alfie is only 5½ months old but already we're thinking about what breed we'd like our second dog to be (Alfie is a pointer).  Can anyone advise us as to how long we should wait before getting another dog.  Also, I'm assuming a bitch would be most suitable as Alfie is a dog?  Thanks.

SNAP! My Alfie is 6 months old a JRT and I have been thinking of getting another for a couple of month. I have started now to advertise for a Bitch, been given good advice to have one of each sex as two males can be a bit fighty with each other!

 

I suppose it's up to the individual!  I personally would like my dog to be at least 2 years old before getting another - that way you've got one that has been through the teenage phase, and has hopefully settled down a bit, and has learnt his training.  My dog will be 2 in April, and is now a good dog, but when he was a teenager, between about 10 months and 18 months, he was quite a handful!  I don't see why two dogs together should be a problem - depends on the first dog's character.  Is Alfie friendly with all other dogs?  My last dog hated other males, so I wouldn't have got another, whereas the dog I have now is completely friendly, so I will be getting another male, as I personally prefer them.
  Hilda

You are now in the honeymoon stage with your dog; very shortly he will be entering the Kevin the Teenager stage.  A lot of people think, hey why not get another one about this age because everything is going so well; if you read a number of posts on here you will see the "help my dog has become very naughty" at about 8 - 10 months old and from this date until about 2 a great deal of intensive training is required to establish a solid recall (very important with a pointer) etc.

I would strongly advise you to get through this period first before contemplating a companion, the second one (and you) will benefit hugely from the manners you will have taught the first!

If you are contemplating a bitch remember you must take into consideration seasons and therefore the dogs will have to be kept apart 3 weeks every six months or one must be neutered!

HTH

I'm going through the 'Kevin' stage right now and there is no way i could cope with 2 dogs right now (and i don't even work).
I dog sat another dane the other night he was 18 months mine is 10 months and it was a bloody nightmare, Dolly wouldn't leave him alone she wouldn't sit, lie down when asked she kept biting his ear so that he would retaliate and give her the attention she wanted arrghhhh!
The other dog was so laid back he was comatose lol, IMHO i would rather wait till Dolly was well settled and matured more before i introduce another and then the pup would grow up around her ways.

p.s I'm not even going to mention the mess!!

Persnally I would wait untill the youngest dog is 2 yrs.  By this time they are usally trained and settled down.

Rox

Thanks Rox, I would also like to get another pup in the future, my cocker is now 5 1/2 months old.  I was thinking about 3/4 years until this one had truly settled down.
Jax :)

Hi Camerons, I agree about getting through the Kevin bit. Are you going for another pointer or something completely different? Some reckon having a size/activity level contrast is easier than 2 of the same type, others fall for a breed and nothing else will do. We like gundogs, especially Gordon Setters and so will wait patiently as having 2 bouncy, always up for it dogs who mature late in life needs planning.Sometimes I fantasise about having a dog who walks to heel gazing at me adoringly and think sadly itll need to be a German Shepherd or a Lab following a pocketful of sausages. :D

Hi
if your going to have a dog and a bitch have you got the facilities to seperate them during seasons(or have one speyed/castrated).I have 2 males who live together with no problems and will be introducing another male this year....so it is possible.
Archer

We've also got two males who live together very well and like Archer intend to introduce another later this year or early next year (fingers crossed :D ).  I also think that 2 years plus is a good gap; as others have said it gets the dog over the Kevin stage and settled, and the new addition will benefit from the example of a well trained older dog in the house.

Lesley

Yes Lorelei, I also have that dream. :D :D :D

Jo

I have that dream to...when I meet someone with a dog walking at heel bahaving beautifuly when at that moment my "nutter" takes that oppurtunity to do something that has other dog owners looking at me with sympathy.

Karen

Don't jump before your pup is ready to walk.
I did and ended up with problems.
I am an experienced dog owner and still made mistakes.
Mine was with rescues. Puppies mind you.
I've got through it but it has been almost hell.
I would wait until your pup is trained and exactly what you want before even contemplating an addition.
Although it is lovely to watch two pups play it is a lot more fun watching a well-behaved, well adjusted pet train and play with your new 'baby'.
D4wn

Hi Camerons,
We decided to get another beagle not long after we got the first one. We got Ruby our second one when Daisy the first one was 13 months old. We have had Ruby for 5 months now and they get on really well. There are positives and negatives to having two dogs that are a similar age. They play together alot as they can keep up with each other and they are much better if we leave them as Daisy doesn't get distressed anymore.
It has been hard but I think whenever you introduce a new puppy it will be hard. I felt that Daisy was at a stage where we could get another pup but it all depends on you and your dog. You also need to make sure that you have some kind of seperation for them at the beginning as the puppy will need rests away from your other dog. Getting another dog for us has been a positive experience and i'm sure we'll get more in the future.
I hope all goes well for you when you decide to get your new addition.

Hi Camerons....standard poodle owner here.I have two females...one is 3 yrs and 10 m the other 13m....I waited until my older girl was fully trained and steady.I couldnt be more delighted with them...they walk together on a coupler lead, share the same bed and are real pals.Not a growl between them. My elder girl was a really steady dog,very balanced temperament.The pup just fitted right in.I agree with the people here who recommend a two year gap.
Jo  Sophia and Chelsea.

We got our pup when my second dog was already 9 years old.
My BC (the older male dog) is a very lively little thing, but however much we hoped he would hit it off with
Kyra (my now nearly 2-year old GSD), he never did.
He ignored her when she was a pup, no matter how much she badgered him to play with her and now that she's grown up and much bigger, she just dominates him and bullies him around.
So we sometimes feel we didn't do him a favor by getting a second dog, although we try to be careful of making as much fuzz over him as over the "new" dog.

So you think waiting too long is as difficult if not more so, than getting another pup when the first one is still young. Or just depends on the dog?

Karen

I met someone with a 4 month old lab, the other day. She was telling me that she would like to get another when this one is 10 months old. I think that once pup hits adolecence she may think again. I got my second dog when my first was about 17/18 months, and was reasonably well trained. However it has still been hard work, and i couldn't imagine having 2 very young dogs. St least Megan's stay's/recall/wait e.t.c was pretty solid so that i can rely on her when Ellie is acting up. Saying that it probably would've been better to wat a bit longer, but circumstances dictated that this was the best time as i had 4 months off, which won't happen again for a long time!!!

When your first pup reaches 5 or 6 months old it starts to behave in a more civilised way and has you no longer watching every move, it's reliable in the house, it walks on the lead without to many problems, it has stopped chewing the furniture and the wall and no longer eats stones and everything you plant in the garden. You think, 'we could manage another now, we could manage, company for the one we have, yes lets'.

Now the warning, the way your puppy is behaving now will not last, it is only drawing breath for the much worse teenage stage, when it is bigger and more determined than ever to bring you and your house down. If at the same time as this happens you have a 3 to 4 month old just getting to grips with the first manic puppy stage, you will have to have a better nerve that I have and a home you were going to re-decorate and re-furnish anyway.

Have to say not all pups are that much trouble but enough are for me to say don't risk it, wait till your present dog is mature and well set to hold his position in your home against a pup that would have it off him when it gets to puberty. This last point is even more important with bitches, the elder one needs to be sure of herself else you run a risk of fights.

This have been very interesting reading for me.  Our English Pointer is approaching 10 months.  She is our only dog.  I have been thinking we should get another dog as a playmate, but one that was a big less energetic...maybe one two years old from a breeder.  After reading everyone's response...it seems we should hold off.  I was thinking another dog would help tire out our pup.

I have a cavalier king charles spaniel and she is 6 months old.  I have also been thinking about getting another puppy.  I wanted to get two puppies when I got her but we had never owned a dog before and so we decided one was the best option.  I love my puppy to bits and she has not been that bad.  I was told that ckcs like to have company and so I wanted to get another female for her as it will be nice for her as it is company when we are out and she hates us leaving her, but also nice for me as I really want to have two.  I thought sooner rather than later before she gets too used to not having another dog about the house.  Also they can grow up together etc.   I have spoken to friends that have dogs and they have said that they know people who left it a year or longer to get another dog and because of the age gap they had problems. 

I am not really sure what to do either.

Cavaliers are one breed that do like to have other dogs for company & because the majority have such lovely temperaments with other dogs & people they have no problem accepting another dog into the household at any age I would wait until your girl has had her first season & then look for a puppy this will make your older girl the alpha female. I have 4 male cavaliers, from 7 years to 18 months old & we never have any problems introducing a new puppy

Thank you for your help.  I was going to wait until she has had a season, however, the vet said if we are going to get her spayed get her spayed around 7 months before she has her first season.  We are thinking of having this done as we have heard they can get cancer etc.  So we thought as she won't be having a season then it would be ok to get a puppy now.  It is nice to hear from other cavalier owners and I am glad you never had any problems hopefully I will be ok as well. 

If you are having her spayed then you are right if you can find another good puppy get one as they will be just fine I've only even seen a few of bad tempered cavaliers & they were all solids & all males. mine are parti coloured blenheims

Don't forget the health checks for the parents eyes heart & patellas

My boys website is on my profile

A tired gundog.................:D :D :D

Ive got a tired little gundog ( plus) asleep in his basket after a hard day exercising and training his Dad, teaching kids to fetch properly, showing off his new twist trick to Mum and having to behave himself on the lead. :D

Ahh but does he come back now ;)

Karen

Yes, he does come back as soon as hes called even when hunting rabbits :D His dog walker is sooo impressed with Morse for doing this simple thing. Weird how it just clicks then unclicks then clicks n sticks. Cant call him Manic Morse any more as hes calmed down so much. Mind you Ive never been back to the place he went AWOL from at night and had all the other dog walkers looking for him  (coward that I am) :D

I wouldn't either whats one place...amongst many. Don't tempt fate.

I know I should know but how old is Morse now?

Sal is 14 months and for a few months she went loopy proper teenage recall...ie non exsistent but at the moment (everything crossed and touching wood) her recall is good again, plus now she ignore other dogs too, and today for the first time ever decided that not every person wanted to stroke a Stafford and just gnored them unless they stopped to speak to her....has my dog grown up?

Karen

Morse is 16 months, Karen. Its weird how much you miss the loopy puppy bit isnt it ? Hes starting to look more filled out now and less like a merle trestle table with a long nose. So much has changed since we got him the time has flown in, yet we feel hes always been with us. :) Sal is getting discriminating then? Do  staffies mature at 2 or are they like Pointers and finally grow up as much as ever when 6 ?

I am sooo frustrated with our pup.  I don't work outside of the home.  And, the pup makes it hard to get anything done at home!  She wants my constant attention, positive and negative.  I keep telling myself she is doing everything a puppy does, but she just has this tall English Pointer body.  At 9 1/2 months, she has become mouthy, vocal, challenging.  Honestly,  I can not see living the next 15 years like this...and I don't know what to expect from an adult Pointer.  I don't know anyone nearby with English Pointers.  Right now she has to be in the house most of the day.  The temperatures are often below zero.  I am just at a loss.  She is beautiful to watch run in park woods.  I think she even has fair recall although not really tested with other dogs around.  I guess I was in a fantasy world.  I thought we'd get this pup, and with a some work she would hang out with the family and play in the backyard with the kids.  Now, she is mouthy again and jumps up on people (let alone my kitchen counters)... I really really want to do the right thing for her, but I also want to keep my sanity.  I really researched the breed.  I suppose our place may just be too small for her, but she is here now.  This website has been wonderful support.  I had been thinking another (smaller) dog would help our pup to expend energy and redirect her focus.  It seems the majority of people writing in feel otherwise.

unfortunately if one is a problem 2 is a bigger problem...they learn all the bad things that are irritating you about the first.Sorry.
Its like having one naughty child and thinking having another will solve the problem...no its just more fun getting in trouble when you have an accomplice!!
Archer.

Hi Darling, as you know Morse is Pointer Plus ( 97% Pointer, with added Greyhound for extra speed, hunting and general chaos). They are intelligent, sensitive, very active dogs as you know and this makes them challenging to live with. They take lots of exercise and training to work their brains. Morse was exactly the same as your girl at 91/2 months. Do you plan to do Field Trials or Working Trials with her? Getting into a training class might help you feel more connected and give her stimulation. Does she have things she can play with on her own like a ball she can roll about to get food out of, can she still get into a crate to save your sanity? When you have time to give her you could teach her to play hunt the toy/treat/kid around the house or yard, teach her tricks like giving a paw, do a twist, retrieve ( yes, it can be taught even to English Pointers!) or Morse's favourite, unload the washing machine. Dont let her demand attention - if she mouths off ignore her till shes quiet, crate her whatever it takes to put attention on your terms while your training her. You can teach her to settle down using a flat collar and lead, comfy cushion for her to lie on and her bone or whatever. Get comfy and whatever she does dont look at her or speak to her after you say Settle Down. It sounds very strict but its not a lifetime thing - get it right while shes young and you can spoil her when shes older. If shes of working stock this is your chance to focus her on YOU and not her hunting instincts. Morse has a very high hunting drive which has got him into worlds of bother. Honestly you will get through this and it will get easier. They are terrific affectionate dogs, poetry in motion. I dont think you were in a fantasy world, its just much tougher in the firing line than we know. BTW is she called Darling?

Our pup, "Sadie", is from show lines, but I believe the parents hunted also.  We were looking for a family companion and hunting was secondary.  After much reading and talking with breeders, we were sure this was the breed for us.  We have a 9 year old son and 6 year old daughter so a breed good with children and their friends was a priority.  We do still crate her at night or when we leave (or need a break), but I feel guilty about it although everything I read says it does not upset the pup much them much.  I suppose part of me worries that basic lessons we have worked on for some time are not clicking.  For example keeping her paws off the counter tops.  I catch her and tell her down, everytime.  She drops right down.  But, I don't want her to do it in the begining.  She has turned my life into a circus!  So why do I like her so much I ask myself.  But, I now understand why there is a Pointer Rescue.  Each morning, I wake up wondering how will I get the children through breakfast without Sadie trying to steal the toast.  

Hi Darling,
Although I have dalmatians not pointers, judging from what you say they are very similar in behaviour :rolleyes: , so I can imagine how frustrated you feel! Believe me, if you are consistent and fair she will improve. Just be prepared for the long haul - she'll be worth it in the end.

Just a query - when you tell her to get "Down" from the counter top, is this the same 'down' command you use when you want her to 'lie down'? If so, this will be confusing her - different required actions need a different command. For getting off the sofa etc I use the word "Off", and for getting down from the counter top I use "Paws off" with the emphasis on 'Paws'.

Looking on the bright side, I have learnt to make sure that I never leave food out on the worktop, which not only makes the kitchen look tidier, it is also more hygienic!

Good luck.
:)

Darling, stop feeling guilty! It dosent help. JG and tohme are giving you good advice, Helen who is very experienced with Pointers has the same issues with Milly re early lessons slipping ( this cheers me up no end with Morse on a bad day!) Can you talk to  her breeder or get in touch with a Pointer Club to share the experience? It sounds as if Sadie's training is all down to you and in a family everybody has to sing off the same hymn sheet, so ask someone else to take over every now and then and LEAVE THEM TO IT so Sadie will understand OFF is OFF no matter who says it. Keep her busy, set limits so she feels secure and prevent bad behaviour like food stealing off kids - set the table, call kids, if Sadie approaches the table, put her out/crate her/tie her up whatever it takes. You love her, you did your research ( more than I did Id never heard of Pointers till Morse!) so you can train her, promise. :D I spent much of Morses early life in tears thinking Id never be able to train him, yet now hes great. You and Sadie will get there. :)

As in everything in life you only get out what you put in. 

It is a bit like having children, most people only concentrate on the lovely piccie of the mother with a beatific smile looking down on her sleeping baby wrapped in an immaculate shawl.  Well we all know how much of baby life resembles this piccie. :D  So it is with dog rearing. 

People buy dogs more often than not because of their looks, forgetting what they were originally bred for and this is where some of the trouble starts.  Expectation management is what is required from breeders and buyers! :D

You have a beautiful, athletic animal built for speed, pointing etc  Unless it is given sufficient mental stimulus and training it will, like all dogs and children, become self employed.  You are now entering the severest test for dog owners, the teenage stage which will last with pointers around another 12 - 18 months.  It is when you must not lose faith, continue being consistent and relentless in your approach :D

Getting another dog now, at this stage of your dog's development and your state of mind would be a BIG MISTAKE :(

Have you tried putting wide sticky tape on top of your counters?  Dogs do not usually like this sensation.  You could also train her to carry out something else which is totally incompatible with jumping up, like a sit, or down.  Use this same techniqe if she jumps up, if it is in the house throw food on the floor so that the dog looks there automatically when visitors arrive.

HTH

I'm at the same stage with Sparky now. We have been having the same problem with the kitchen counters,(although he will get off as soon as we tell him, and doesn't do it very often any more) the bin, and the dishwasher. He also has a thing about licking the kitchen floor (usually the mortar in the middle of the tiles). Now, whenever I'm in the kitchen with Sparky, I open up the dishwasher a few times, tell him to leave, and treat him. Hopefully we'll build up to him leaving without being told. The bin training will come next! He will leave the bin if I tell him to, but I've taken to standing it in the sink in the utility room when I have to go out of the kitchen at the moment. Any ideas for stopping this one? I suppose I could just get rid of the kitchen bin, but is this giving in? :) I might try the sticky tape idea to see if that works.

Prehaps i should cover people in sticky tape as ellie (GR, 10 months) jumps all over anyone we meet. Nothing seems to work! She knows off and sit, but when shes excited nothing in the world seems to work. Sometimes she will sit, so you bend over to cuddle her and she leaps up and smacks you in the face. shes too strong to hold her down.  Ignoring her doesn't work and it is sooo embarrassing when she jumps on people when we are out. I have to keep her on a lead all the time because she will just launch herself on people. Any ideas?

Keeping on the lead to stop her jumping all over people is admirable; wish more people would have this regard for other peoples feelings :D

However you are "managing" the situation not "resolving" it.  Y

Your first problem to solve is the lack of recall! If you had a proper recall your dog would be unable to jump all over anyone :D  Therefore you need a long line and to ensure you give only one command and go crazy with super duper treats on the dog's return!  This needs constant practice from now until at least 18 month - 2 years old.  Your dog is at "that age" where the training is of vital importance during these "kevin" months.

For jumping up you need the long time help of several helpers who, when approached this way, fail to interact with her and give a treat ONLY when the bum hits the floor.  You can practise this several times a day both indoors and out.

HTH

Bins have food in them, or smells of food, dogs are scavengers and opportunists.  I do not see making sure that dog cannot access the bin as "giving in" I see it as an appropriate method of garbage and pest control ( the dog being the latter) :D

Our kitchen bin is in the under sink cupboard - and thus safe from toddlers and dogs!
Cathy.