[cleex1004]

So, I've been considering another puppy for a while, but I keep putting it off because I think a better time will come along. When I was first looking for a puppy back in 2007-2008 I decided to hold off for a bit because I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to handle the responsibility by myself while going to school.

About 6 months later, Louis came into my life by accident. My situation hadn't changed from before but he really needed a home. My friend, I use that term loosely, had gotten him when he was 8 weeks old and had him for about a month before deciding that she couldn't stand the crying/barking/whining, and respoinsibilty. She got him from a sketchy source, I think a pet store which means puppy mill, and couldn't return him. I offered to take him in because I couldn't stand the thought of him going to a shelter.

When I first brought him home, I was completly unprepared. I had a toy poodle growing up so I knew about dogs but I was still overwhelmed. I remember driving to the petco and petsmart at 7:30pm trying to get a crate and a play pen because I hadn't puppy proofed my apt yet. Louis had a few issues in the beginning with separation anxiety, excessive barking but with constant work he's gotten a lot better. I really think he left him mom too early but with a little TLC, he grew out of it.

Now, Louis is my lover boy. He's a joy to live with and really is the support I need. He's a larger malt weighing in at 7.5-8 lbs. He enjoys going on long walks, hikes when we are in Washington, trips to the beach and riding in the car. He can be very active and I dont worry too much about him overexerting himself because he is pretty sturdy. Even though he can be active he really enjoys sleeping, cuddling and being by my side too. I feel like I have the best of both worlds. He is pretty well socialized in my opinion. He does best with smaller dogs, especially white ones, but does ok with bigger dogs as long as they arn't too hyper/wild.

I'm thinking about adding another pup but again am wondering if now is the best time. With Louis, everything worked out even though I thought I wasn't ready. I remember having a panic attack on the drive home when I realized that I was responsible for another life and that this was going to be for at least 10-15 years. I laugh at that thought now because he is my heart and I can't picture life without him. I have been loosely keeping in contact with a few breeders but haven't really found a pup that calls to me. I think I want another boy, kind of like the goofy little brother. Louis is too smart for his own good and to have two pups like him would be crazy.

What were your experiences like when adding another pup? What were your fears/worries and how did they play out? Do you have any advice for me? Is there anything I should know about raising multiple pups? Is there anything I should do before making the final decision?

Thank you so much for reading this really long post! I look forward to reading about your experiences!

 

[The A Team]

I added Abbey when Archie was 1 year old. It worked out GREAT!! and three or four years later Ava joined the group - it took a bit longer for her to be accepted because they were older. But all is well now. I say go for it....and i wouldn't wait until Louis gets too old for a puppy to be jumping all over him.

 

[bellaratamaltese]

I added a second dog when Lucy was 11 mos old and the new pup was a year old (caddy) No problems whatsoever. I introduced my third dog Caira (who was 12 weeks old) about 6 mos later and again, had no problems whatsoever (except for the older girls being slightly annoyed by the crazy antics of a puppy)

I've never had any problems with anybody not getting along, it's always one big happy family

Good luck with your decision!!

 

[aprilb]

We got our second girl in February of this year and it has been a wonderful experience. My girls adore each other and it's fun to watch them play together and "gang up" on the cat.:HistericalSmiley: It has not been that much more work for us, but it is just me and my husband and I am home most of the time. My girls use potty pads, eat, walk, sleep together, and ride in the same car seat. Rose is my shy girl and having Lily around has given her more confidence. Lily was 6 months old when we got her and the transition was much easier than with a younger pup. My girls are two years apart. For us, it is twice the love! I say go for it!:chili::chili:

 

[phesty]

I don't know anything about adding a second pup, but I totally relate to your panicky feeling when you first got Louis. I had the same thing happen when I first got Josie. I even considered "returning her" because I was freaking out that I wouldn't be able to be a good enough mommy. Now, I can't imagine my life without her. She's almost 5 years old and I love her more every day. Just had to tell you that I can relate to that oh-my-goodness-I'm-responsible-for-another-life panic!

 

[Katkoota]

I don't know how my personal story will be helpful as I did not plan any of it -fluffs just came to live with me LOL-, but here goes:

My first dog was a poodle. It wasn't planned by me, but my family got her as our 4 legged companion. At first, we two (poodle and I) weren't good friends..dogs used to scare me, but my family thought that she will be a good teacher. and they made the best decision because after just few weeks, she became my VERY BEST friend. It was me who she always looked for. Whenever anyone was looking for me, they used to only call out Melon (the poodle)name - oh I loved her so much!
Then, Snowy (my first maltese) came into my life as a gift from my parents. They saw how CRAZY in love about dogs I turned out to be, so they thought that this would be the world's best gift in my eyes. I had nothing to do with helping in planning or even choosing the breed. Snowy is the one who introduced me to the maltese breed. So we then had 2 fluffs at home. And that is how it continued with Crystal after we lost Melon. Things weren't the same. We were used to 2.

Here is what can be helpful:
It isn't impossible for anyone to care for 2 fluffs especially but of course it does depend on the circumstances of each individual. You only have to keep in mind that 2 will double everything that you are currently doing with your little boy. If you ask me personally, in my experience, it is worth it.

All the best!

Kat

 

[k/c mom]

I love having 3 and I loved having 2, also. If I were you I would get a girl. Louis is the "man of the house" and it sounds like he is really bonded to you. I think it would be easier for him to accept a girl.

 

[dwerten]

We have 4 now

I had grown up with shih tzu with no health issues so had no real clue about dealing with that so I ended up getting 3 puppies in one year - YIKES

I got dex first as my mom was getting her hair done and the pet store next door brought in this cute little boy yorkie. She called me and said you have to get this little guy. We knew nothing of puppy mills back then. I had just bought a home and yes i was the girl with a black light making sure no urine stains on carpet and put 8k worth of carpet in new home - now i laugh at that lolllll and we have laminate now since demi.

Dex would get stressed so i took him to work daily and when I had to go to the bank I got Dee Dee as his live toy lol. She helped him not to be stressed and they became buddies. Two was very manageable

Then i went on petfinder.com and saw this beautiful maltese rescue and had to have her and the next day we drove with the two yorks to meet little Demi. The rest was history.

Then the health issues started with my yorks and it was very costly but I had saved alot before having pups so financially was able to care for them so this is something I make sure to tell people getting multiples as very important you can provide the care for them or it can be emotionally and financially draining.

I was done at 3 and then my friend passed away unexpectedly in July and her 3 yorkies needed a home as her hubby just could not handle caring for 3 dogs. I had grown very close to Lucy as she was dex gf of 2 years and we exchanged gifts every month between lucy and dexter so when she passed I took little Lucy in to be with us and Dex.

I really am Done now LOL

two was easy with dh and I as we each had one so the jump to three was harder and to four no real difference.

Hope this helps you with your decision

 

[bellaratamaltese]

Honestly, there is no right or wrong answer here. Most of it will depend on Louis' temperament and the temperament of your new future pup. I think the majority of us have had a very positive experience with adding additional fluffs but I know there are exceptions. Watching them all play together is priceless, I'll tell you that much.

 

[dwerten]

Honestly, there is no right or wrong answer here. Most of it will depend on Louis' temperament and the temperament of your new future pup. I think the majority of us have had a very positive experience with adding additional fluffs but I know there are exceptions. Watching them all play together is priceless, I'll tell you that much.

I agree as Lucy has brought out the puppy in dex and dee dee - Demi has never played much with toys though just fishy. Demi runs from her lol

 

[godiva goddess]

My trainer told me that she always suggests to clients that if you want to get another dog, make sure you are getting it for YOU, not your dog. To be honest, I got Gemma Bean for Mia, not so much myself..I have a feeling many of us pet parents are guilty of this.....Gemma has been with me for a bit over 1 month now and I am loving every minute of it...Mia and Gemma play more and more each day and I see their relationship blossoming in front of me- it is really rewarding to witness.

however, it is twice the work, expense, energy, poopie, etc..so you have to be ready for all that. but, you get twice the love and joy back!

last thing is..i think temperment of the 2nd dog is really key......a good temperment can make adjustment sooo much easier! make sure you speak to the breeder and describe your situation and ask for a pup whose personality can be a good fit!

 

[cleex1004]

Thanks for the input and your personal experiences. I havent decided yet, but if I find the perfect pup, I definately wouldn't say no. It's so interesting to hear your stories of adding a second a second pup, keep them coming!

 

[allheart]

Honestly, there is no right or wrong answer here. Most of it will depend on Louis' temperament and the temperament of your new future pup. I think the majority of us have had a very positive experience with adding additional fluffs but I know there are exceptions. Watching them all play together is priceless, I'll tell you that much.

Perfectly said Stacy. I have had huge success in adding in the past and of course with Mia and Leo, but it takes just what Stacy said, the temperment of your current baby and the baby to be. That is so important.

Having two, oh as Stacy said is priceless.

I currently have Mia and Leo, and that went extremely well.

In the past, I had Flakey and added Tina Marie, when Flakey was 3. He loved other furbabies, same size or smaller. LOVED THEM. Then my Tina Marie passed at age 7. Flakey was heart broken, he wanted another furbaby and so did we, so we added our sweet girl Kara (RIP). Oh they were best friends completely. Now, when Flakey passed, Kara wanted nothing to do with any dog or even a puppy, nothing, and we knew it, by watching and really analylizing how she was feeling and coping. We just knew, that she was happy being the only one, and we left it that way.

So it takes alot of thought just like Stacy said, it is an absolute dream having two, but that's if it all works out.

By the way, when we added Kara, Flakey was 10 years old. Yup, 10, and I'm telling you, it brought out the pup inside of him and boy did it make his last 5 years happy ones.

Perfect post Stacy.

 

[Katkoota]

last thing is..i think temperment of the 2nd dog is really key......a good temperment can make adjustment sooo much easier! make sure you speak to the breeder and describe your situation and ask for a pup whose personality can be a good fit!

Most of it will depend on Louis' temperament and the temperament of your new future pup.

the temperment of your current baby and the baby to be. That is so important.

I TOTALLY agree! In fact, the importance of temperament matching is a fact not an opinion, in my opinion :HistericalSmiley:

We had a success in both cases: when Snowy joined Melon AND when Crystal joined Snowy. However, it took Melon more time to accept Snowy if you compare it to Snowy accepting Crystal. Snowy fell in love with Crystal the second he met her....

It took Melon at least a month to warm up for Snowy. BUT, after that one month, she was a loyal fur-buddy to Snowy awwwwh I remember that if there was any dog who would growl at sociable Snowy, Melon would growl back, without hurting just growls to tell the other fluff that she isn't accepting that and is there to protect him Snowy :wub:

 

[cleex1004]

Awww, I absolutely LOVED the video of Snowy meeting Crystal for the first time! I loved how at the end she had her head on his and they both had that lovey dovey look in their eyes. This video really made me want a sibling for Louis, I feel like I would be doing his a disservice. I agree completely about everyones comments of finding a good match. I just dont know what would be a good match.

 

[aprilb]

There may be some that disagree with me, but as long as the dogs are spayed or neutered, I don't thing it matters whether you get a male or a female. I do think that temperament matters, and this is where your breeder can help you. My older girl is quiet, shy and laid back. The new girl is more outgoing and "full of herself." She is not hyper at all, just more curious and active. Mine get along really well but in the beginning, I had to keep the new girl from playing too rough. She is doing much better, but she is still a tail-puller.:HistericalSmiley: