Advice, Opinions Please?

[huski]

I agree with others, if you are having doubts wait some more time, you have plenty! I don't get another dog for my existing dogs, I get another dog because I want one. I never understood only wanting one dog, I was always wanting more dogs even when I had three, but now I have my youngest dog, I can quite happily say I don't want any more. She's more than enough for me and meets every need and requirement I have for a dog, and while I love my other dogs dearly, if tomorrow I only had my youngest dog I still wouldn't want anymore (for now). There is nothing wrong with just having one if that's all YOU want and don't feel you need any more :)

[ssar]

It sounds like you include Spud in a very high amount of activities and exercise/attend to him more than the average owner(s) which is just fantastic.

Whilst I try similarly, I simply cannot achieve as regular high levels of attention and activity for our dog as I'd like - though she is well loved, well cared for and quite lucky partaking on many varied adventures quite often.

When we first got her as a 10-week-old pup, however, in hindsight I really wish I had also gotten 1 of her brothers or sisters at the same time, and brought both of them up, trained both of them etc. together, primarily for companionship & exercise whilst no people are home (full time work, away without dog etc.)

If you have the resources, the dogs are young and get on well, I suggest seriously considering adding the 2nd dog to the family.

[Guest]

Looking for a bit of help and other people's advice I think....

My partner and I have had our dog spud for about 9 months now and he is the LOVE of our life. Words can not describe how much this dog means to us lol

Now we both work full time and spud is at home by him self. When we get home we always make time for him, playing, walks, training etc. the fact is he is still at home by him self for 8 hours a day.

when ever we go anywhere he comes with us. If we go to the tip he comes, the river, back home to see family ( 5 hours away) he comes. We are very much a family of 3.

Other then us, spuds favorite thing in the world is other dogs- he just loves playing with them so so much.

We have been thinking about getting another dog for a long time now and have gone to view a couple and have always come out thinking maybe we are just happy with our family of 3?

We have just recently found another little one - about 4 months old. We took spud to meet her and they got along perfectly- loved each other and we loved her to. On the drive home my fiancé and I are both looking at each other thinking " is this the right thing to do?"

So I guess once again we are just really undecided and I'm looking for some opinions please.

( finance for feeding, medical etc is not an issue as we always make sure we have funds for our animals)

I love big dogs, but ended up getting a little one (Yorkie) because I work full time and wanted to take the dog with me wherever I go after hours. And this has worked really well for us. I take him to parties, on buses, pretty much everywhere apart from restricted locations. I was also thinking of getting a mate for him, but decided against it as I know it would be a lot more difficult for me taking along 2 dogs, and it would also be more tempting to leave them at home then, with the excuse: "they have each other for company".

[Esky the husky]

You could always buy some more interactive toys before you go out and get a new puppy :)

[julesluvscavs]

For me personally, its mostly been about the timing. You will just know its the right time . ;)

Doubts are not always a bad thing, however theres usually a reason for them, and perhaps the time isn't right just atm.

All the best with whatever you decide. Only you both can make that decision :)

[CHA]

I tend to overthink things and really want to make sure I do the right thing, because I know there is no way I could ever give my dog away once I committed to it. It sounds like you may be similar minded.

I have always added another dog to my pack when it "felt" right. We were a 1 dog family for a few years, now we have 3. As long as you go with your head as well as your heart, you will end up doing what is right for you.

[miss2]

Yep, over think everything! Thank you for the kind words. Spud means the world to us so we try to give him the best possible home we can.

I ended up taking pup home for a couple of hours- spud loved her but he was way way to rough on her he did calm down but would then just bowl her over! She was giving him all the signals to say she had enough but he would not listen to her. That raised red flags for me.

Another thing, whilst I was watching them play I realized I wasent ' in love with her' ( if that makes sense)

Long story short, we have decided not to go ahead - there will be a time when we know we want another and we will re access everything then.

Thank you everyone for your opinions and advice :)