[imported_buster]

I just found this site and it is wonderful!
Wondering if I could get some recommendations.
We have a 4 yr old male yellow lab, and have the opportunity to adopt a 1 yr. old female yellow from a shelter. We are going to meet her tomorrow. Buster loves playing with other dogs, we've never had a bad experience. He just loves to play and be social. We are a little nervous that he will feel jealous though if we bring another dog home for good. I'd love to hear advice from those of you who might have been in this situation. Also - any tips on walking 2 big dogs at once? Buster and I walk 3 miles a day and I want to be able to take both dogs. I just couldn't leave one behind.....
Thanks!!!

 

[WeHeartLabs]

Adding a second lab is one of the smartest things we ever did. Our first lab is SO happy to have a live in playmate. They truly love one another and play constantly. When I got home today with the one, after being away for 3 days at the Potomac, omg the greeting they gave each other...it was so cute.
Of course, they both want to be petted when the other one is being petted so they bump each other out of the way and take turns being in front...but I never detect any real jealousy issues.

Good luck tomorrow!! How exciting...make sure you let us know what happened and post pics!

 

[AngusFangus]

I love having two also! We adopted Simon when he was about seven months. Angus was a year old, and we'd had him since he was a pup.

Simon has helped us tremendously in keeping Angus entertained He also helped with some bad doggie manner issues Angus was having, and Angus has become WORLDS better since he's had Simon to help teach him the finer points of etiquette.

The only thing I might have done differently is what you are planning to do: Have opposite genders. Sometimes we have a little too much competition, and I think a lot of it has to do with them both being male and being very close to the same age.

Another thing to consider is it really is more expensive to have two. Double the meds, vet visits, food, treats, and it really adds up. I knew this, but I don't think I was fully prepared for the hit the budget would take.

Kevin walks both at the same time. I can do it too, but mostly he's the dog walker. If she's about a year old she may be a little hard to handle at first on the leash...just very young and excitable. It might help to take an introductory obedience class with her and help her master loose-leash walking.

Good luck! Hope all goes well tomorrow! We'd love to see pics ;D

 

[BradsDarla]

Having 2 is a wonderful experience. Basically twice the fun.

However to give the negatives like Angus said it is expensive. Seems like you go through 20# bags of food in no time. The Flea, tick and heartworm meds are not cheap especially for 2. And the damage to house, yard and the extra cleaning all take more then just twice as much time.

And depending on the family unit instead of giving 1 pup all the attention you will have to split it 50/50. I kinda feel bad for my 1st one as we don't walk and explore new things as much. WIth two most of the time is spent playing in the backyard.

Would I do it again, yes and no.

 

[Trickster]

Remember, jealously is a human emotion and not a dog one. If Buster is sociable and loves playing with other dogs, getting him a 'friend' is one of the nicest things you can do for him. Most dogs do fine as an only dog but I think if they have the opportunity to live with one of their own it is great for them.

If Buster is good with walking, you shouldn't have too much trouble with two. You can always use a training collar on the new arrival to give you extra control.

 

[JoeinTexas]

I agree with all the above posts. We had a female and adopted a male, never has been a problem with either of them. Do count on double the expenses though, they do go through food in a hurry. Also, expect your back yard to have a trail through it! I do think it was the best thing we could have done for Molly, she is having a ball playing all day and exhausted at night. I'd certainly do it again!

 

[AngusFangus]

Oh yes, that's right, I forgot: Grass is but a distant, fond memory for us. :

 

[Paola]

Having four dogs and often walking three at a time, if they have good/decent leash manners that shouldn't be an issue.

I got the G. when Mary was 2 - it took her about a month to adapt, but we never had aggression issues. She just ignored him. 4 1/2 years later, they are inseparable.
My other additions didn't cause any problems. To the labs. My more recent addition ( a dachshund pup) has caused some problems with my ES, but more because of the pup's bossiness than because of Nuvola.

I have 3 bitches and one dog - the older bitches are spayed (previously weren't) and my dog was neutered last year. They all get along quite well - we just have to watch our shins when they play inside and keep an eye out for prey drive when Nuvola plays with the pup.
Before Nuvola and the pup, I had a senior rescue we adopted at age 10. He and the G. were both intact and we never had issues.

I won't comment on expenses ... they can more than double if anyone has serious health issues and even yearlies get pricey. You might want to consider insurance.

 

[bearbuddymarie]

When Bear was 5 hubby finally allowed me to get
a pup for her to play with. We got Buddy at 10 weeks
and it was an instant connection. They totally love
eachother and play all the time. Bear actually helped me
house train Buddy puppy, he just followed her and did what
she did ! I walk my dogs separately as they outweigh me
together, and if they see a squirrel they want they will
go for it and drag me along! I see it as special time alone
with mommy! I will never be a single dog household again !

 

[imported_Ninemiler]

We adopted Gunny when Bessie was 10 and then added Sadie 2 years later. All our Labs came into our household as adults. After an adjustment period (about a month), each girl settled in wonderfully.

We live in a very rural area, so most of our walks are off-leash. However, when I go for a jog I take the two younger dogs with me. I have a hands-free leash that attaches to my waist, and both dogs are attached to that via a coupler. The first time I hooked up two dogs, we had lots of tangles and spinning and chewing and general sassiness (would have enjoyed a video of that episode!). Now the girls are all business when we leash up and head down the road. They settle into a side-by-side trot and keep their focus down the road. Sometimes it's hard to restrain 140 lbs of Lab excitement, but after a mile or so we're all in our groove.

I think you'll enjoy the second Lab! Double the fun for everyone!

 

[Dani]

Rider will be 4 next month and I just added my second permanant resident this past Sunday. While we've fostered hundreds of dogs, none of them stayed with us for that long. He get's along fine with Rookie; however, the bond that he has with my neighbor's dog, Drake, who is also going to be 4 is pretty strong. They really love each other. I think in time all three of them will be like that too, but sometimes, puppy antics can be a lot to handle.

 

[mitziandjudysmom]

Two are better than one. I walk Mitzi and Judy together with no problems. The new girl will learn a lot from Buster. Nobody knows if dogs feel emotions like jealousy since they can't talk. It can appear like jealousy when one pushes in for attention whenever the other is getting attention but that should not be a problem if you treat them both equally. ( Mitzi and Judy do not vie for my attention, but Judy seems to always push in whenever I give Duke attention.)