Hi
We were thinking about getting a second puppy probably next spring time.  At the moment our bitch has just gone 2 years.  Would love to hear your thoughts, pros, cons etc of owning a second dog - especially from those who have 2 or more Another choccy would be nice, hopefully she/he will be a sweet as mine thanks

Your current dog is at the ideal age for you to get a second pup, so I'd say go for it! :)

Why wait until Spring ;) You know you want one...... :)

I usually tell people to wait until the first has gone through the Kevin phase (usually around 12 - 18 months) before even considering an addition, so your bitch is the right age.

Hi Lindylou

Thanks for been constructive.....lol

We want a spring pup as we got our Lab in October, weather was horrible.....would be nice to open the door and not get wet (mind you, global warming and all...)  I would assume house training would be easier too.....could be wrong, please correct me

Go for it !

We are hopefully getting our no 3 Lab in December. All our Labs have been autumnal or winter puppies and have never really had a problem ! Used to going out in all weather anyway ;) :D

Lucy
xx

I would think about the girl you have now, and consider if she's asa trained as you need her to be - if she is, then go for it!

Seriously, not being trained enough is a mistake I've now made 3 times :D getting another dog before the two most important things (to me) were trained in the last - recall and lead walking.  Age hasn't come into that much as the last two were older (5 and 14 months when I got them), but training is the big thing for me.

I'd agree :) Bramble (a rescue) still had a few 'issues' when we got Tara and it has certainly had some impact on her behaviour :( :(

Daisy

With my own slow maturing medium size breed I always think minimum two year  age gap preferably three,  that way you have the first dog trained and reaching maturity so that you can concentrate on training a new puppy without loosing ground with the first ones behaviour too much.  Also there is no better help with training a pup than a well behaved and trained older dog.

Hate to tell you but no matter what time of year I get a pup it immediately starts to rain

Housetraining is NOT meant to be pleasant :D

I know housetraining is a pain! It would be nice to have a puppy April or May time then at least summer would be approaching, whereas I got my lab in October and it was wet, wet, wet......muddy garden, muddy feet......

We had a litter in October and kept a pup.  The time of year was perfect for us and if I get another pup it would be a winter one again.  With it being winter we were home much more and then the summer came (if you could call it Summer) and the pup was at the age where she could come out with us all the time, go on longer walks.  We've had a great time, but yes it was wet and cold sometimes when we were house training her!
I've only ever had one dog at a time, but can't imagine not having two now, they are such good friends.
Have fun!

I suppose its "swings and roundabouts", when thinking of the best time of year......keep coming with your opinions its v interesting, thanks

I agree brainless.  She is a very nice dog but doesnt always do what I say....unless theres food in it for her!  Her reacall is good and not perfect and she can be very aloof at times.  Chocolate labs can be hard to train, I think the hardest out of the 3 colours.  I think I may wait another year.  She does have good manners with other dogs and is very tollerant, so she would be helpful.  Its not something I want to go into lightly. Thanks

She is I agree the right age are you thinking of a male or a female,my male was 2 and a half nuetered and trained when we got our female she always looks to him and it is easier when your first one is trained it makes it easier as young pup always follows...have you got a breeder in mind, I dont think though you can say at which time of year you want a pup we had intended to go for a summer girl but when the litter  was born there wasnt what we wanted Yellow lab female,there were all black males and only 1 female and black too,and by this time it was Aug, we finally got our present girl in December, dark nights but of course by the time she was 4 months + it was end of Feb and the nights were drawing out, and we had the Summer to look forward to..so if you feel ready go for it...I wouldnt be without my two now and male/female is a nice combination...is your girl spayed though??? 

Hi Hairydog

Yes, she is spayed - we had her done about 2 months ago.  Given the choice I would go for the same breeder we got our lab from but she's already had 2 litters and doesnt want her having anymore.  Her mum is 6 now.  She had a litter at 2 then at 4yrs.