Hi there,

I am looking for a little bit of advice. I have a lovely 14 month old Lab who makes the puppy from the book Marley and Me look like an angel!
She has been tough work since I got her at nine weeks old (but I have loved every minute with her.) I am now considering whether or not to get another puppy so that she has a buddy and friend to play with. She loves meeting up with other dogs on walks and craves company with other dogs. The only thing holding me back is that I have spent a long time settling her down and working on her behaviour in the house. She is fantastic in the house etc now and I am wondering if a puppy would upset this? Would she go back a few stages because of the pup?

Any advice would be much appreciated,

Thanks.

Well Roxy09, that's quite a question.

I can't ever remember a time in my life when I only had one dog - so this is just speculation I'm afraid.
I think your dog will love it and you're now an 'old-hand' at this labrador training thing.
The chances are that the new one may be a real angel ( they are all different) and respond to training more readily....this will give you an advantage in dealing with your present dog .
One dog is never enough in my opinion...good luck what ever you decide :-)

Personally, I would hold fire for another six or nine months.

You are coming up to the "nearly adult" stage of your lab's life - and once again, boundaries will be pushed!   I believe I'm correct in saying that most of the young labs that go into rescue go in between 6 and 9 months of age and again between 15 - 21 months.   

Another few months, and you will have a "responsible family dog" who will help in the training of a pup ....with any luck :)

But you are right - one just isn't enough!!

Would she go back a few stages because of the pup?

More than likely, yes.  The perceived wisdom is to generally leave a gap of about 2 years between dogs; that way, the first dog has reached or is about both physical and social maturity before you introduce the second.  Training is more ingrained and whilst you may still see some regression, it is generally more easily and quickly repaired!

Also, what would your plans be for coping with the new pup whilst you are out at work?  I seem to remember you posting about your current lab which was a bit of a chewer (!) and you were leaving her for four hours morning and afternoon each weekday.........sorry, if I've got that wrong or mixed you up with someone else.  :-)  

Hi,

I think it depends really, if she has literally just started behaving in the way you would like and you have just got her to where you want her to be I would maybe give her and you a little more time, another few months at this age can malke a big difference.  On the other hand, if you have plenty of time and can be around for them and can deal with two nutty lab pups should she find her inner baby puppiness again then go for it :-)

> Personally, I would hold fire for another six or nine months.
>
>

in fairness now would be a good time to decide to get another pup- then the op spends a few months waiting for the right one and the original dogs at a perfect age for a newbie to arrive :)

> a few months waiting for the right one and the original dogs at a perfect age for a newbie to arrive :-)

Good thinking :-)

Hi,

Thanks for the advice. Yes, Mabel was such a chewer up until a few months ago when she turned one and it just all of a sudden stopped. I took on board everyones advice last time around and now have someone who walks her throughout the day for me. This has made such a difference to her. She now goes out with her walkers who have other dogs and she just loves it. I still come home at lunch but she is usually now sleeping! I also invested in interactive toys etc and the difference in her is just fab. (I am learning something new about having a dog still every day)!

Thinking that the fact I am asking should I get another pup? means that perhaps I am not quite ready...might wait off a few months and see how I feel then.

Thanks again, :)

Should you have more than one, yes of course.. right now.. I wouldnt be so sure.. ..

But now IS the time to start thinking about it.. looking at breeders, choosing your breeder, and going onto a waiting list for a planned future mating.. all this could take a few months.. then mating to whelping to homing age, another 4 months.. so you could be looking at up to 9/10 months down the line.

by which time Mabel will be a little more mature, you will have got your breath back, and be ready to start all over again..

Why not consider a rescue dog of the opposite sex. There will be many well socialised adults in the rescues which will fit into your household easily. You don't have to get a puppy.
Louise

Good point--we have just taken on a 10 month old (WSS) puppy from a breeder who already has 6 bitches, and a growing dog in that household would be hard to keep, especially when the bitches come into season. He is technically our lodger, although we hope one day the relationship will be permanent; he has settled in really well in just a week, our 16 month old (WSS) lad gets on brilliantly with him. Both of them will get as much work to do as I can give them and they do the same for me!