Should I get Bonnie a playmate?
 

Bonnie is 14 weeks old now. In the past, I have always had more than one dog so that they have playmates. My question is, what is best? Having a playmate for her or just having her by herself? If I get another puppy, I would want one close to the same age. I just can't decide what's best. Any feedback would be appreciated.

Hi, welcome, and congratulations! I understand what you mean about them having a companion playmate. She is very young, but if you think she needs a playmate, then you might want to give serious consideration.

I got a companion for Brody when he and Mia were both 17 months old. I got Brody when he was 14 months old. I realized he needed a companion after we puppy sat for a friend's Shih Tzu. After she went home, Brody would just lay on the floor right where her kennel had sat. Brody and Mia have been best friends since they met.

It might be something you 'see' in their behavior or personality, or even just a feeling you get, but it is very specific to you and your puppy if getting a companion is the thing to do.

Of course, there was more work for me, but I think their happiness trumps my labor, so I am happy to accommodate their needs.

I think you are so super for thinking of your baby's needs!!!

I don't mind the extra work. I am just thinking about what is best for her. There are times that I have things to do and she still wants to play. My daughter came to visit from PA and brought her Yorkie. Bonnie loved her and they played great together. So, I'm just trying to decide. I have enough love and resources to care for another puppy, but Im also feeling a little selfish in that if I get another puppy, I won't have her undevided attention. I know that sounds silly.

I think having 2 babies at once is not much more work than having 2. My pups are 3 and 5 months and get along great. I no longer feel guilty about leaving the house because I know they have each other. I decided to get her a playmate now while she is young because in my personal experience it is easier to add to the family if they are close to the same age. I tried the older dog new puppy situation before and it didn't work out very well lol. I am getting all of the potty training out of the way and they can grow up together :aimeeyork

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
And you say yuo have the resources--time, money,love & whatever else they will need, I agree. While they are young, it is best. They will bond & have much longer with each other. Plus, you will have TWO love muffins to snuggle with! :)

I absolutely love having multiples, so I think everybody should have more than 1. Tiki and Meika were 3 months apart, and a year later I added sisters Kayla and Karlee.

Life is so much more fun with multiples and they always have company if I go somewhere.

I recently had the same dilemma . I felt the need to enrich my Zoeys life with another. 17 months apart, both come from same parents , both females. No it does not take away from you . I was told the same, but your first still wants you and still wants to play. Only thing is the adjustment period ....zoey is my first and didn't welcome with open arms. Not aggressive mind you but a lot of posturing and stares. Definetly had to be between them when together AND playing with BOTH at the same time. It has been almost 2 months and I don't feel confident leaving them alone together. Izzy has her pen when we leave.but zoey loves to play now and lays on the floor to tussle. Izzy still likes to nip but has come to an understanding what is accepted and what is not. They both chase balls together and most of the time izzy likes Zoeys favorite and zoey will let her have it. .....but 2 different personalities. Zoey is laid back and docile, Izzy is a go getter and sassy. Zoey eats better now and is more active and alert than when she was by herself. ...and wants to keep playtime the same...she won't joinin when I am holding Izzy or try to include her though. Won't sleep together but am trying to encourage to lie together at nap time ......
Just have to know when the first one needs a break from the playful little baby with shark teeth. ......

I think I'm going to wait until she's a little older. I will start looking around but I'm not in a rush. I appreciate the input. I am really enjoying my time with her. It's been a long time since I had a puppy. My miniature Pinschers lived to be 14 and 15 years old. Then I waited 3 years before I got another puppy. Maybe in June I will add another Yorkie to our lives...I think I might like the parti coloring for the next one😀

Thanks again for all of the input. It's been a dilemma for me but I think my decision is made. I will get her a playmate but I will wait until after she is spayed and healed to bring a new puppy in😊

[QUOTE=Dayswalters;4527663]I think I'm going to wait until she's a little older. I will start looking around but I'm not in a rush. I appreciate the input. I am really enjoying my time with her. It's been a long time since I had a puppy. My miniature Pinschers lived to be 14 and 15 years old. Then I waited 3 years before I got another puppy. Maybe in June I will add another Yorkie to our lives...I think I might like the parti coloring for the next one😀

Thanks again for all of the input. It's been a dilemma for me but I think my decision is made. I will get her a playmate but I will wait until after she is spayed and healed to bring a new puppy in.

I think that's a good idea.although I don't think there is a "best " time, I have found that maybe being very old or very young might be a litte more difficult transition for both you and present pup to introduce new member of the family . Since a young one is already learning it's territory and life ways, and an older is already SET in their ways. That's just my opinion....personality and temperament also play a part to make every experience different.get to know your baby and you'll know when SHE is ready to accept a new member.
And have fun!

My first, Max, had an 'only child' personality and would have been great on his own. We had an encounter with a couple of loose Yorkies and he enjoyed them, so we went and got Max's brother Teddy.

Max was a little over a year old and Teddy was 8 months when we brought him home.

They do not self-entertain (still want their humans for everything :)), but they definitely enjoy each other.

It's double the vet bills and grooming, but double the pleasure. Best wishes!

That's neat....I think zoey will get better as Izzy gets older and out of her puppy stage...they do like to zoom and that's fun to watch...I have a 3 way nylon cat tunnel from pet smart and they love that...peeking , darting and chasing.....just have to watch them though....when zoey gets tired the puppy isn't! And she can get grouchy or comes running to me to "save " her.

Your girls will definitely grow together to be best friends.

Although Teddy was older than Izzy when we brought him home, he still was full of puppy antics and wore Max out too. Max escaped to the couch because Teddy was too small to jump up with him.

We have a tunnel too! It is fun watching them chase each other. :D

Did anyone have one dog that was completely and reliably trained tp potty pads, and then get a second dog? Did the second dog take to pads? Will they both go on the same pads?

I'd have a zoo if I could. That being said, my lil guy probably wouldn't like another dog in the house. Perhaps, if he was still a puppy I'd consider it.
What type of personality your dog had would make a difference. My lil guy thinks he's king of the jungle. I just don't believe it would be best for him.

With my Min Pins I had the first one completely trained to the puppy pads. It only took about 2 weeks to get the new puppy trained to the pads. They both went on the same pads but I placed two pads together to make a slightly larger space since they frequently pottied at the same time. However, this time around I am training Bonnie to go outside and I am using the potty bells on the door. She is doing great! 😀

The breeder has a lot to do with introducing them to the pee pad. My baby Izzy knew her pee pads pretty well when I got her and actually hits it better than her older sister who is 1 yr 9 months.
Zoey started holding herself all night by 4 months so she ended up in my bed. When I feel her get restless inthe night I would take her down stsirs to her pee pads so she could go. To this day she gets up in the night and goes down to pee on the pads, by herself now...She just doesn't always hit the pad. Which is very aggravating....and yes my two both go on either pads. I put a paper one beside Zoeys cloth one and I see they have no preferance .
Frustrating thing now is if they are so distracted by each other if they have to go ....they just " go" wherever.....if they are not distracted with each other they hunt down the proper area. Little fur butts know better too.

Oh talking about bells...that is so worth doing. Zoey my oldest is my summer pup and I bell trained her to ask to go out. Which she did very well...when we were outside she would go then...But winter came so it was pee pads and she got away from the bell . Recently she discovered her bell again. Well it's cold in indiana but I let her out! She didn't pee but she still tries to con me to let her out.
Now Izzy is my winter pup , she's pretty well pee pad trained so it's too cold to bell train her now. We'll see how it goes when it warms up.

Max was 100% reliable with pads. Teddy was 8 months old and 100% outdoor trained by the breeder when we brought him home. I re-trained him to pads. Peeing was no problem, but pooping took 2 weeks of coaxing.

Strangely, Max guarded his pad, so we had to put a second one down to designate as Teddy's. That didn't last very long.

Yes, Max guarded his piddle pad, but not food or toys. :D

I know that feeling. It's a big part of the reason we got Clark. Maple was just absolutely obsessed with my parent's maltese mix, and LOVED him a little bit too much (She scared him away, lol, even though he's twice her size). I was concerned because she was already older (she'll be 2 in March) and does pretty well on her own, but when I had my parent's dog for 2 weeks and he left, she looked very depressed. She loved having him around.

So we decided to get a puppy for her. Not just for her, obviously, as I have 4 kids and they would fight over Maple constantly, who got to take her for walks, who got to have her at night, who got to bathe her etc. We all needed Clark, lol.

Maple and Clark get along great. He's pretty aggressive as far as puppies go, but Maple seems to know how to control him, even though he's gaining on her in the size department.

Maple was never very well potty trained, but once we got Clark and he was pretty well paper trained, Maple has only ever had accidents on the paper ever since (And she's actually gotten better going outdoors, I think she's disgusted with Clark now, LOL). She was also very maternal with him, if he cries (which he does often if he doesn't get his way, he's very vocal) she will come running to help him and try to comfort him. It's very cute.

So even if you aren't ready right this minute, I think up until a dog is 2 they will still be pretty accepting. After that they can get a little set in their ways. My parent's dog is 5 and absolutely did not like Maple or Clark (We are over there a lot). So there is some time yet.

Good luck with your decision!

Lol! Oh that's so funny! Is Max still like that?

No, thank goodness! :D He gave up after a couple weeks and started sharing pads.