When Should I Get Another Pup?

[Switchblade906]

I have a 10 month old GSD now and also a 2 year old son. When do you think its reasonable to get another gsd pup?

My wife said shes thinking about another year but i dont think i can be that patient lol.

[Verivus]

When your 1st pup is a model citizen. I wouldn't bother until the 1st dog is at least 2 years old and has at the minimum solid basic obedience, recall, and good manners.

[Lucy Dog]

When you and your family's ready for another puppy. Everyone's different.

For me... I waited about 5 years between dogs. I wanted to make sure my current one was exactly where I wanted to be training wise.

What's the rush anyways?

[sit,stay]

I have always considered myself ready when my current dog has settled into adulthood (roughly between 2 and 3 years of age) AND trained to be reliable with both obedience and house manners.

I don't want to be in a situation where I have two dogs that need basic work. It just takes too much time and someone always gets the short end of the stick because it it.
Sheilah

[doggiedad]

when the 1st dog is well trained and highly socialized.

[dazedtrucker]

When u are ready... with a 2 year old kid, you better be prepared to be on it 24/7.... I've had alot of dogs with little kids, it's a dedication to the situation.

[martemchik]

My goal was to have at least 3 years difference and also a CDX on my first one (once I figured out what that was). That way, he's solid in a lot of his obedience and I can work him in higher level stuff, while the next one will be starting basic obedience.

It's also nice to think about end of life costs and the possibility of losing two dogs very close together in time. Not something anyone wants to think about when they have a young puppy, but its just a fact of life that if the dogs are very close in age, depending on health and other circumstances you might end up losing them in a very short amount of time.

[MaggieRoseLee]

HEY, I love everyone's recommendations cause they are brilliant!!

Puppies take a ton of time. So I need to make sure I have my current dog(s) practically perfect and for me that's closer to 5 yrs. That way I can really focus and deal with all the normal puppy issues and not worry about having to also be socializing and training the other dog(s). Other wonderful thing is if my older dog is already calmer, more mature and knows what's what in the house. They do help train and get the new one to fit in easier. Problem if they are young and still working thru issues is they teach the BAD stuff too and it's double the trouble!

Don't underestimate costs too. Vet bills, food and all the dog classes. Much better to have just one rather than two times the bills. Remember 12 years from now also. VEt bills and medication for senior dogs can be extremely expensive so having one senior dog at a time makes a huge difference.

[Switchblade906]

Thanks everyone! I guess ill just have to be more patient....I have Zoey (my 10 month old GSD, and my only one too) signed up for her first class on the 8th of next month. I know im starting late but i dont think its going to be a big problem.