Should I get another dog ?

[R60EST]

I've got a 3 y/o male English springer, Alfie. He has been the easiest dog I've had to train. House training , not chewing etc , no separation anxiety problems ,calm off the lead ,walks to heal , sits at the pavement edge and waits to be told when to cross. In short he's just about as good as they come. He gets plenty of walks and not left alone for much more than 4 hrs twice per week. I have a very close bond with him , he's literally like my shadow , never leaves my side.

I have been offered , free of charge, a six month old springer bh. Her owners didn't realise how demanding springers can be and reading between the lines she's not getting the attention and exercise she needs. I want to accept her because I feel looking after 2 dogs is not much more effort than just 1 .

I know I'll be able to give her a wonderful life and hopefully she'll grow into a well behaved and balanced dog just like Alfie is now.

The one thing stopping me is the worry that I'll lose my close bond with Alfie or his behaviour will suffer due to to introducing another dog to the household.

Anyone been in a similar position and if so , what experiences did you have ? any regrets ?

[y2blade]

I was in the same position with my young springador (he is now 4 years old)..he is a superb dog , trained him myself since he was 7 weeks old

from what i've heard though it is too easy for a good young dog to be ruined by adding another puppy or dog into the "pack"


we got a kitten for him to enjoy instead


they get on really well and have had no accidents from the kitten at all

Edited by y2blade on Tuesday 1st December 15:24

[GTIR]

Woof





(eta: Thats "Yes" in dog )

Edited by GTIR on Tuesday 1st December 15:26

[VetteG]

Got a lab bh and bred her when she was 4 and kept one of the litter, the older one still bonds very closely with me and so does the younger one. They are great company for each other and us, teh younger one we believe keeps the older one young (the older one is now 8) 2 are as easy to look after as one and we wouldnt have it any other way.

G

[C C]

A few years ago I had a 5 year old boxer bh (relationship like you describe - she was my shadow and followed me everywhere) and then got a male boxer pup. It worked out really well for us and I had two shadows instead of one - both were bonded with me as well as one another. I personally found 2 dogs slightly easier to manage than one which probably sounds odd. The older dog helped train the pup so house training and basic obedience have been picked up much quicker by the new additions - this has also happened with further pups added to the family as well. (I imagine this might not work quite as well if your original dog is not well trained & obedient - might teach pup bad habits?). I currently have three dogs 8 year old boxer male, 4 year old french bulldog and the newest addition an english bulldog pup now 11 months. I think I will always have at least 2 dogs in my life from now on & I wouldn't be able to turn down offering a home to that pup if I was you