One Puppy Or Two??

[doggy182]

Join our free community today.

Connect with other like-minded dog lovers!

Login or Register

Please help me!!

Me and my OH have just decided to get a pup. We moved out on our own at the beginning of Feb leaving behind family dogs that we still visit and walk regularly. We have found a litter and been trying to decide whether to get a bitch or a dog. I was telling my mum this on the phone and as the pup would also be on its own for a short amount of time each day when it is older, she suggested to get two pups!

I immediately laughed and told OH who laughed too and said NO WAY!!

But......

Yesterday he came home from work and said, so shall we have two then??

I was so shocked I though he was joking! But he is very serious!

So what I want to know is what do we do!? We think we can afford the extra costs but I am worried about training two pups at a time, is it loads harder than one? I want them to be properly trained, I have read loads of info on here and the internet and think I will be ok, but two pups??

Please help as we need to decide really soon.

Thanks,

Carla :unsure:

 

[k4tie-d]

well we went to buy 1 and came back with 2

all i can say is i am so glad we did they settled so well,

they play togethter,

eat together,

attack you together :devil:

sleep together -_- o

the only thing i was finding a little anoying is they have so much attention on each other they ignor you (when in the garden!!!!!)

so every day now they are have 10mins or so of one on one time in the garden where i spen the majority of the time practising recall (really just to get them to know there names)

as they get a bit bigger i will extend the time of one on one longer but just now thats about all they can do before they get board, they get loads of praise and a tiny reward, and it seems to be paying off.

although it is i think i bit harder than one the benifits of 2 out way the draw backs,

they can be left easier as they have a bitty company and they will always have another to play with,

I have only had my 2 for a week now so im probabily not the best person to ask but if i could go back and do it all again i would 110% take 2 again, and to be honest if we ever go to get a 3rd i can say almost 90% we would be getting a 4th at the same time.

hope this helps

good luck

remember lots of pics when you get him or her or both :thumbsup: :huggles:

 

[tracy]

if you can afford the food, insurance or vet bills for two rather than just one, then i would get the two

mainly for all the reasons already mentioned x

good luck

t x

 

[doggy182]

Thanks,

Its such a help to hear from someone who has done it! Have you trained pups before because this is our first pup, hence me being apprehensive.

Im also worried bout having two dogs on leads when out for walks, and taking them both in my car on my own.

I just want to be a responsible dog owner and one of my pet hates is people who get dogs but then do not train them properly. I want well behaved dogs so I can take them on visits to people and take them out and about and not have to worry.

My OH was so pleased by your response Katie, he practically has decided already that we are having two..... he is just forgetting the fact that I am going to be the one at home with them!!

Thanks again,

Carla

 

[JAX]

Why not get one now , and one when the pup is about 12 months, two pups together is very hard work and do spend more time with each other, Ive noticed the differance with India and Harvee(Bro and Sis ) and then just having Peanut (13 weeks)

2 form a bond with each other , where as one bonds with you , but its up to you :cheers:

,I have sold people 2 pups together and many just one ,

Good luck with whatever you decide

 

[k4tie-d]

if you can afford the food, insurance or vet bills for two rather than just one, then i would get the two  mainly for all the reasons already mentioned x

good luck

t x

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

​

ooops yeah that is one of the down sides the doubled, food,vet bills,insurance,jabs,and of course if you are getting him or her nutered thats doubled 2,

but also double collars and tags and coats, but i see that bit as a pluss as there are so many people on here who make such lovely things for your special whippies you have the excuse to buy more as you have 2 to cater for, :- "

your pockets will be a bit lighter but they will look smashing :wub:

 

[k4tie-d]

Thanks, Its such a help to hear from someone who has done it!  Have you trained pups before because this is our first pup, hence me being apprehensive. 

Im also worried bout having two dogs on leads when out for walks, and taking them both in my car on my own.

I just want to be a responsible dog owner and one of my pet hates is people who get dogs but then do not train them properly. I want well behaved dogs so I can take them on visits to people and take them out and about and not have to worry. 

My OH was so pleased by your response Katie, he practically has decided already that we are having two..... he is just forgetting the fact that I am going to be the one at home with them!!

Thanks again,

Carla

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

​

these are my first pups, never even had a family dog, my oh has had dogs all his life but he works 6days so its my job lol

im struggaling a bit with the car thing at the minute heres my thread where i asked for some advice and i think were going to try get the harnesses mentioned in the thread, just untill they are big enough for the boot

http://www.k9community.co.uk/forums/index....topic=47245&hl=

i think its like anything if you can give them the love and attention they need the training comes far easier, just remember ignor the bad and praise the good and they will catch on really quick,

we're using puppy pads in the house at the min, and althought the house has been poo free for 3days they are keeping any wee on the pads and i an convinced that was through praising like mad when they got it right and just quitely cleaning up the acidents.

good luck

x

 

[jok]

As already said - if you do get two litter mates, you really must spend individual time with them to get them trained. Litter mates do have a very special bond, and it can be more difficult to get the dogs to bond / pay attention to you.

Rachel has litter brother/sister, Logan and Ruby at her house - they weren't kept together as pups, only more recently. At my house, Ruby was pretty quiet, even though she had other dogs here to play with. However, with Rachel, the two of them are forever on the go, playing together, getting into mischief together etc! It's lovely to see them together though and funny how they dont forget each other!

Frankie and Holly are 4 months in age apart and although good friends, not to the same sort of scale that Logan and Ruby are. I personally would prefer to get one pup, do the training etc and then look for another a bit later on.

However, lots of people will tell you how they've had litter mates together fine :thumbsup:

 

[Linbin]

I would get two. I got Pax my whippet puppy 6 weeks ago and though he had us to play with and our 2 chihuahuas he still seemed to be missing another dog to have a good rough and tumble with.

Also when we took him out he walked right behind us, wouldn't play or run about and other people would let their dogs say hello (for about 30 seconds) and then continue with their walk and he seemed lonely.

So on impulse we got Zulu an 8 week old whippet pup from another litter and are very glad we did. As Katie says, they do everything together and are such great friends.

I am going to train them seperately as all 4 of them are all nosey and trying to get in on the act, but apart from that I feel we have made the right decision.

 

[doggy182]

Thanks for replies.

Had mixed responses,and its so hard to decide!

Will pups still bond with me? The main reason i am getting a pup is to develop a special bond, I want to be really close to them. Will having two greatly affect this? Still want pup to follow me round the house, cuddle with me etc...

 

[cazzajack]

Get two, My friend had 2 off my pups, and she too wasnt sure about having two,

But she said it was the best thing she did, They both have thier own personalities, and both spend time with her away from each other, So I dont think the bonding will be a problem, Infact at least then they are not 100 % reliant on you to amuse them as they have each other.

Of course there is double everything, but also double love ! :wub:

Trianing is a little more difficult with two but there is two of you so i dont see why you would have a problem

Good luck

 

[urchin]

hi there

i have 2 dogs precisely because i want them to have company when i'm out at work - though i work full time (neither of mine weroue very young pups when i got them tho!)

I think if you are likely to be away regularly (even kinda part time) 2 is better than one as there's always a friend there.

As people have said, 2 can be more difficult to train as they bond with each other so tightly.......but I also know plenty of people who have litter mates that grew up fine together. Thats the special thing about dogs (well, one of the many special things about dogs :wub: ) their personalities are so different, and what suits one won't work at all for another.

I think what i'd be weighing up is whether i get both together, or wait a few months for pup number 2 so that i am already underway with the training for littl'un number 1

and

if i decided to get 2 at the same time, whether to do what linbin did and get them from different litters - that way they will arrive home without a readymade bond which i think in new surroundings may tighten further as they look to the familiar for reassurance.

Good luck with whatever you decide. We can only help you to kick ideas around; what suits my dogs and my household is going to be different from what suits you and yours and every other person on these boards.

 

[nicky12]

Thanks for replies.Had mixed responses,and its so hard to decide!

Will pups still bond with me?  The main reason i am getting a pup is to develop a special bond, I want to be really close to them.  Will having two greatly affect this?  Still want pup to follow me round the house, cuddle with me etc...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

​

look at it this way ,one whippet is never enough they are very addicted ,i started with one ,now i have 4 (w00t) im 5ft little midget and i manage to walk all 4 on my own every day and ther not the best behaved whippets wen out either :- " i think you must do what you feel comfortable with if you think you cant manage two get one and wait a while before you get another ,if you get two good luck cause your guna need it (w00t) :luck: , personaly i found it hard enough having one pup at a time to sort out let alone two :sweating: but everybody is different so good :luck: in whatever you deside and dont forget wer pic aholics on this site :lol:

 

[Cornish]

Each dog has a different personality... keep that in mind.

I have had one pup at a time and Sidney (our first) was 2 before we got Ben last December.

They are very very different in personality and I would never of had them both as pups at the same time.

One pup is very time consuming on its own and like having a small baby you have to find a rotine that works for both you and the dog.

What ever you decided best of luck and I look forward to seeing the photos of him/her (them) and hearing all about it :thumbsup:

 

[tracy]

Thanks for replies.Had mixed responses,and its so hard to decide!

Will pups still bond with me?  The main reason i am getting a pup is to develop a special bond, I want to be really close to them.  Will having two greatly affect this?  Still want pup to follow me round the house, cuddle with me etc...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

​

talulla was our first dog and we had her for about a year before we collected Bean (she was a year old)

we have recently been lucky enough to have two more pups - deerhound and whippet x

i love them all and give them all equal amount of time and cuddles, but i do have a very special bond with talulla :wub:

the time spent with just her was very special and she will always be my number one girlie :wub:

so yes - i do think you bond more with one - the new pups are far more interested in each other and the two adult dogs than me

it is a hard decision to make - follow your heart and if you are at all unsure just get one, see how it goes, and if you feel you would like another then there will always be puppies around x

t x

 

[meddling]

I would personally get one at a time with at least 8 months between them - I have Bluebell who is 10 months, but I also have my two old age pensioners (Border collie and a tibetan spaniel) But I have developed a wonderful bond with Bluebell now by taking her out on her own, as the others don't need or want to be out all the time.

 

[saraquele]

there are so may breeders who run two or more pups on and they manage :thumbsup: although vaccinatios and insurance etc are double the money and two pups are double the trouble they are also twice as much fun . if you can afford 2 then go for it :thumbsup:

 

[jok]

there are so may breeders who run two or more pups on and they manage  :thumbsup:   although vaccinatios and insurance etc are double the money and two pups are double the trouble they are also twice as much fun . if you can afford 2 then go for it  :thumbsup:

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

​

There is a difference though. The opening poster has not had a Whippet before, where as breeders are use to having puppies, know what to expect and how to deal with them :thumbsup:

 

[saraquele]

there are so may breeders who run two or more pups on and they manage  :thumbsup:   although vaccinatios and insurance etc are double the money and two pups are double the trouble they are also twice as much fun . if you can afford 2 then go for it  :thumbsup:

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

​

There is a difference though. The opening poster has not had a Whippet before, where as breeders are use to having puppies, know what to expect and how to deal with them :thumbsup:

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

​

how hard can it be having 2 whippets lol :- " yep i missed that bit Jo

 

[jok]

there are so may breeders who run two or more pups on and they manage  :thumbsup:   although vaccinatios and insurance etc are double the money and two pups are double the trouble they are also twice as much fun . if you can afford 2 then go for it  :thumbsup:

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

​

There is a difference though. The opening poster has not had a Whippet before, where as breeders are use to having puppies, know what to expect and how to deal with them :thumbsup:

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

​

how hard can it be having 2 whippets lol :- " yep i missed that bit Jo

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

​

Would you have fancied having two Bliss' about!!!??? (w00t) :lol: