One Puppy or Two?
Hubby and I had considered getting two puppies because we were afraid one would be lonely when we're at work but most advice we found on the net suggested that two puppies are more likely to become co-dependant, harder to train and more likely to work each other up when we're not there. Based on this we had decided it would be better to get one puppy. We both work slightly different hours so puppy would be home alone (with the cats) for about 6 hours a day mon-fri, I work close to home and can spend about 20min at home during lunch to 'check in' with puppy. ... that being said, if it is actually the case that oes are happier in pairs two dogs would be twice as much fun! Cheers Again Ashley |
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| NONONONONONO!!!!!!!!
Sorry involuntary reaction from someone who raised two OES puppies at once. 
Two puppies require enormous amounts of ingenuity to raise successfully together. My two dogs are great together and each are bonded more to me than each other (which is sometimes a problem in and of itself) but it was enormous work. separate one on one time, separate classes. separate walks, long team walks, double the crates (and crate upgrades) double the toys, double the vet bills and testing, and I believe I totally blacked out house training because they never had to go at the same time and each had to go out every hour for months - I am sure you get the picture. Get another puppy down the line - don't get two now. |
| So the standard one puppy at a time advice applies to oes as well! I thought it was an outside chance, but had to ask just incase.
ta Ashley |
| I have three OES but I'd never ever raise more than one puppy at a time. I'm dealing with one who is elderly and starting to have health problems....I sure wouldn't want to be going through this with two.
There is a lot of information on the board about this - here's one I remember in particular: http://forum.oes.org/search.php?mode=results |
| I'm so glad Kerry responded!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Two puppies is just not a good idea for many many reasons. She listed them well. Many "two puppy" households have major behavioral issues and bonding issues. I think it boils down to each puppy deserves (and needs) your undivided attention. Can it be done, sure it can and I am sure someone here is going to chime in with a "do it". But the bottem line is to give raising a puppy "your all" you really are better off doing it one at a time. Get a puppy spend your time energy love and affection on that dog and a few years down the road when that dog is well established and you still want to be a two dog (or more) household add another. |
| We got littermates and had a blast. They were wonderful together, and never chewed anything in the house. They chewed each other instead. Each bonded with one of us primarily, and they loved each other. It was the best time of my life!
I think housebreaking may have taken a longer time, but I have one puppy right now and I'm finding him just as hard...if not harder. The best part of the two together was how much fun they had playing with one another. Also, you always had another around for comparison so you could notice things that weren't quite right and get to the vet immediately. I'd give anything to go back in time and be with my two puppies, Portage and ThePas again. (Portage is still with us, and we lost Theeps in March, at the age of ten.) Now, even though it was the best experience for me and I loved it...here's the reason I will never ever have two puppies at the same time. And it has nothing to do with puppies... When you have two puppies at the same time you end up with two old dogs at the same time. The vet bills are double, and the heartbreak is double. Managing meds for one aging dog (and monitoring health, and vet visits, and knowing that the end may come soon) is heartbreaking on its own but having to juggle the needs of two of them at the same time tears your heart to shreds. We lost our Theeps (he was the best friend I've ever had) and a few months later we're looking at some very scary test results for Portage and I'm looking at possibly going through that horrible time again. I've not yet begun to get over the loss of one, and now my heart is breaking for his brother. We have a naughty little puppy now too, and I know that although he may have the occasional medical issue now, I can rest fairly comfortably in the knowledge that he'll be around a while. So, THAT is the one downside to having two puppies. I'd love to do it again and would in a heartbeat, if it weren't for the fact that two puppies grow up to become two senior citizens and can tear your heart apart. I never, ever thought of that fact when I was holding those two little balls of fur in my hands. But I'll never put myself through that again. I just thought I'd share this perspective. You don't realize it until you are ten or more years down the road. Good luck with whatever you choose... Tracie, Portage (10) and Hudson (0.5) |
| For me, that would be a HUGE concern. As the owner of an aging sheepie now I know what we have spent on Vet bills in the last couple years and doubt that I could afford that x2!!! I know that even higher bills are in our future. I would never want to have to worry about skimping on medical care because of cost.
Of course not every dog has high vet bill in their senior years but I would not want to take the chance. I absoutely understand the draw of two puppies, I imagine it would be alot of fun. |
| I agree with all the advice. One puppy at a time. Get him trained and to 2 yrs if you can before the next one. They will still play, but the older one will set an example...in my house...not the best example, but my older dog has issues. |
| Huge agree with Kerry (and others) about not raising 2 puppies at the same time. Been there, done that. Not going to make that same mistake again.
It really is much, much more than 2 x the work. And think of it this way: Your puppy is only a puppy for a short time. Don't you want to do your best to give your puppy the best possible start in life? You can add another puppy--or older dog down the line, once the new one is settled and mostly adult. Honestly, it is a much better idea. |
| I got 2 puppies from the same litter. We had, and still have, our share of behavioral issues. There was a point where they WERE more bonded to each other than to us. But with training, things are really working out nicely. I'm REALLY glad we got two pups. Knowing what I do now, I'd do it again in a heartbeat, having learned from all the mistakes we made.
That being said? My boyfriend and I both work from home. I can't imagine how hard it must be to raise ONE puppy where both people are out of the house to work; I think two would be nearly impossible. |
| When people ask me this question I always advise them to get puppy #2 perhaps 18 months or 2 years down the road. 2 the same age or from the same litter tend to bond to each other more than their humans. By the time puppy #2 comes along, #1 had been thru basic obedience & believe it or not they help you train the new one. Right now my dogs are 10, 8 & 3. A bigger span in age is ok also. We have often said the best thing that happened to Mariah (6 years old at the time & youngest of my 3 at the time) was getting José. It turned her from being a couch potato into a young dogs again! She finally had someone younger than herself that she could boss around & play with. |
| Definately one at a time, train the first puppy, let them bond with you then in a couple of years time introduce another as a campanion for them.
I've had OES for 32 years and always differing ages, this litter I recently had we kept 2 for the first time ever and am finding it much harder the challenges with 2 going through puppyhood, the training and we have not even got to the Teenage phase yet 
There fun together but if no prior experience with the breed then best to just get one, learn from that one then bring in another down the track. Believe me in the long term prospect of things you will not regret spacing them out in age especially the other end of the spectrum you won't have them in the elderly age bracket at the same time. People think puppies are a lot of work, but they forget the other end when they are elderly and the work and care required then to see them through there golden years in comfort.  |
| ok, I'm convinced! traciels28 and the others that mentioned both dogs being senior citz at the same time really did it. It's not something I'd thought about (who does when your standing right at the start of the journey, it seems like forever away), but it must be heartbreaking for yourselves and the oldie 'left beind' when their life long buddy goes away. |
Ashley80 wrote: but it must be heartbreaking for yourselves and the oldie 'left beind' when their life long buddy goes away.
That about sums it up. I had one dog that went into a depression for weeks when her buddy passed on. It was the saddest thing! The only thing that brought her out of it was getting another puppy. Since that time I have always had at least 3 or 4 dogs so no one has to be without their best friend! |
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