Thinking about getting a puppy (or two)

[iamshack]

So I have been considering getting a dog for a few years now, but I work long hours and so I am just really concerned about leaving the poor little bugger alone for the whole day or night...

 

But then my co-worker suggested that what some of the guys working our shifts have done is get two...so they can entertain each other instead of being stuck home alone.

 

I have grown up with lots and lots of dogs my whole life. My mother is a dog freak and has had several Irish Wolfhounds at a time, along with a few different English Mastiffs. I am very knowledgeable when it comes to dogs and have a lot of experience, but I still wanted to get the opinions of people here...

 

What do you think...will getting two siblings be much better than just getting one dog, being that I am gone for long hours at a time?

 

The breed I am looking at is a German Shorthaired Pointer or a German Wirehaired Pointer.

 

Thanks in advance!

[Kyyle23]

My brother and his wife got a Springer Spaniel a few years ago, and they lived in a 3 br house with a fenced in yard for her to run, and they took her out to the airfields on base(he is in the army) to run once or twice a week, as well as daily walks. They ended up giving her to a rescue for immediate home placement(she was placed in 3 weeks to a permanant home) because they felt that keeping her at their house was akin to keeping a bird in a tiny cage. She needed room to run, to blow off steam because she is a hunting dog. The dogs you are looking at are both known to be very high energy dogs, I have researched them because i also want to get one.

 

So the question is, do you think you could keep not one, but two very high energy dogs at home by themselves and not expect some damage, as well as feeling guilty that you arent able to get them out as much as you would like? If you can envision a scenario where someone else is helping you and getting them out as much as possible, it may be easier. They are a lot of work, but such neat dogs.

[iamshack]

My brother and his wife got a Springer Spaniel a few years ago, and they lived in a 3 br house with a fenced in yard for her to run, and they took her out to the airfields on base(he is in the army) to run once or twice a week, as well as daily walks. They ended up giving her to a rescue for immediate home placement(she was placed in 3 weeks to a permanant home) because they felt that keeping her at their house was akin to keeping a bird in a tiny cage. She needed room to run, to blow off steam because she is a hunting dog. The dogs you are looking at are both known to be very high energy dogs, I have researched them because i also want to get one.

 

So the question is, do you think you could keep not one, but two very high energy dogs at home by themselves and not expect some damage, as well as feeling guilty that you arent able to get them out as much as you would like? If you can envision a scenario where someone else is helping you and getting them out as much as possible, it may be easier. They are a lot of work, but such neat dogs.

I actually have had this discussion with the breeder just this evening. I asked her if she thought they would become depressed or sad if they were not used for hunting. I also asked if they were capable of being comfortable in a condo setting, as I am currently living in. This was her response:

 

GSP's can live to be around 15 years old, give or take. They will not be sad or feel like they are missing out if they do not hunt, so don't worry about that. They make excellent family companions. What they do need is exercise. They cannot sit in small apartment for weeks on end, or live in a small dog run, as some people do to their shorthairs. They need something to do, meaning, they love to go on walks, runs, go to the dog park, or just sit with you while you watch a movie. They are very active dogs, but that doesn't mean they are spastic and destructive. They just always want to play, or go wherever you go, you know? They are very gentle dogs, and simply want to be loved. Taking them to the dog park and letting them run, catch a frisbee, or go swimming, if they have a water part of the dog park. They do know how to settle down in the house, of course. They will sit and chew on a toy for hours, completely content. And of course, having two will make it easier, because they can always romp around together, and keep each other busy. I have sent many GSP puppies to homes where they never ever hunted and they are happy, healthy dogs, so don't worry about that being an issue.

 

Now obviously, she is a breeder and she sees an opportunity to sell me not only one, but two of her dogs. So I am taking her advice cautiously. That being the case, she is a single mother, and has raised many, many dogs. I trust that she is telling me the truth...and she did mention she would prefer to give me one of the females versus the other female she has because she believes the other should be a hunting dog.

 

They are truly neat dogs though.

 

[RockRaines]

If you get a dog you should try rescuing a puppy first. I have two rescue dogs that would have been killed otherwise.

[iamshack]

If you get a dog you should try rescuing a puppy first. I have two rescue dogs that would have been killed otherwise.

Definitely a consideration. Unfortunately, I have been incredibly put off by some of these rescue groups or shelters. Because I live in a condo, they seem to be very hesitant to allow me to take a dog off their hands, even though I know more about dogs than most of their own employees and volunteers. They simply are tired of giving dogs to people (and I am sure this happens ALL THE TIME in Vegas), to people who think they want a dog on a whim and then end up bringing it back because they didn't know the dog would bark, or that the dog would drop a deuce on their carpeting. I've said to them "So you are going to keep this dog in this 6 x 8 concrete enclosed area rather than allow me to have it?"

 

I've had several conversations with this breeder and I can tell from her knowledge and experience that she has handled the socialization and development of these puppies very well, and that their mother and father are healthy and well-taken care of.

I really like her. She is sending me more pictures tomorrow, so I am pretty excited. Might have them shipped out the weekend of the 18th if all goes well.

 

Keep up with the advice...I really appreciate it!

[G&T]

I've talked to a breeder about this as well as people who have bought 2 puppies at once. I have been told it is a mistake. It's nice that they socialize but they aren't going to be together at first. You will need to crate train them separately and provide obience to each. It is double the work. The breeder told us to wait six months before buying another. If you leave them alone together without supervision they going to cause trouble.

 

I have also heard that they can bond closely and form a pack that doesnt really include you. But I tend to doubt that.

 

Oh and I know all about that shelter rule about apartments and condos. We live in an aparent in farmland in upstate NY surrounded by trails, parks and lakes. But the shelters would not even talk to us. I get it but it's odd.

[Quin]

I've talked to a breeder about this as well as people who have bought 2 puppies at once. I have been told it is a mistake. It's nice that they socialize but they aren't going to be together at first. You will need to crate train them separately and provide obience to each. It is double the work. The breeder told us to wait six months before buying another. If you leave them alone together without supervision they going to cause trouble.

 

I have also heard that they can bond closely and form a pack that doesnt really include you. But I tend to doubt that.

 

Oh and I know all about that shelter rule about apartments and condos. We live in an aparent in farmland in upstate NY surrounded by trails, parks and lakes. But the shelters would not even talk to us. I get it but it's odd.

 

That's what I think is best, since that way you could decide if you want a second one.

 

The only drawback to that plan is the first dog could get jealous when the new one comes along.

[iamshack]

I've talked to a breeder about this as well as people who have bought 2 puppies at once. I have been told it is a mistake. It's nice that they socialize but they aren't going to be together at first. You will need to crate train them separately and provide obience to each. It is double the work. The breeder told us to wait six months before buying another. If you leave them alone together without supervision they going to cause trouble.

 

I have also heard that they can bond closely and form a pack that doesnt really include you. But I tend to doubt that.

 

Oh and I know all about that shelter rule about apartments and condos. We live in an aparent in farmland in upstate NY surrounded by trails, parks and lakes. But the shelters would not even talk to us. I get it but it's odd.

Interesting. After I read your post, I did some googling, and realized that the majority of people seem to agree with you. It seems that getting two dogs at the same time, especially siblings from the same litter, can cause overbonding or excessive bonding. I guess I never really considered it because my parents have taken at least three sets of sibling Irish Wolfhounds in my lifetime, and they always seemed to be socialized/adjusted just fine. No problems with eachother or with other dogs. However, now that I think about it, that may be because there were always other dogs that we had as well, that were not from their litter, and were not their same age.

 

Definitely going to have to look more into this. Seems like some people don't have a problem with getting two dogs at a time, however, they recommend that you get them from different sources.

 

Of course, there is plenty of anecdotal evidence suggesting that getting siblings can work perfectly fine, you just have to be willing to establish the singular identity and personality of each dog.

 

Thanks for the heads up, GT.

[scenario]

I think the most important consideration is to make sure you pick a dog/breed that can handle being alone for long periods of time.

 

There are alot of dogs that simply aren't wired for that much time alone.

 

 

[iamshack]

I think the most important consideration is to make sure you pick a dog/breed that can handle being alone for long periods of time.

 

There are alot of dogs that simply aren't wired for that much time alone.

Indeed. For this reason, I am actually considering a large breed, which might seem counter-intuitive, but larger breeds are usually lazier and sleep more.

 

I actually found a perfect Neo Mastiff to adopt about a year ago, he was 4 years old, well-behaved, etc. The damn shelter would not let me have him because I lived in a condo. I've lived with Mastiff's before...know how they drool, how much they eat, how big they s***, etc., and they just refused to consider that. Instead the dog probably got cremated.

 

 

[iamshack]

Just found a doggy day care place that has extended hours. Might be smarter just to try one at first and take him to the day care on my day shifts (about 10 a month) rather than trying to get two siblings at one time to entertain one another. It's $216 a month for 8-11 visits, and you can drop them off as early as 5 am and pick them up as late as 9 pm.

 

 

[bigruss]

Get a ton of them!

 

http://animal.discovery.com/videos/puppy-b...vii-highlights/

[G&T]

I should probably ask a direct question: have you ever raised a dog as a puppy? I know you said your mother had dogs and I'm sure you have experience with adults, but being the primary care taker to a puppy is a different deal.

 

I ask because I went through this with my wife when we got our puppy a year ago. I had raised a dog before and I didn't want to deal with it again. She told me she had always had dogs and took care of them as puppies and knew all of the work involved. She didn't. I basically raised the dog on my own.

 

On the plus side, I have had very few experiences that have been more fun than having a dog to play fetch with. There's something about having an animal run freely and return to you that's kinda exhilarating. Of course, then he bites my heels and I want to punch him.

[Brian]

If you get a dog you should try rescuing a puppy first. I have two rescue dogs that would have been killed otherwise.

 

That is what I did with for my 8 month old.

[iamshack]

I should probably ask a direct question: have you ever raised a dog as a puppy? I know you said your mother had dogs and I'm sure you have experience with adults, but being the primary care taker to a puppy is a different deal.

 

I ask because I went through this with my wife when we got our puppy a year ago. I had raised a dog before and I didn't want to deal with it again. She told me she had always had dogs and took care of them as puppies and knew all of the work involved. She didn't. I basically raised the dog on my own.

 

On the plus side, I have had very few experiences that have been more fun than having a dog to play fetch with. There's something about having an animal run freely and return to you that's kinda exhilarating. Of course, then he bites my heels and I want to punch him.

I have never been solely responsible to care for a dog over the course of its entire life. This would be my first dog.

 

However, I have been raised in an atmosphere full of dogs, since I was just a little boy...I am almost 34 now. I have cleaned up their accidents, and I am talking accidents, trust me...we're talking about dogs as big as 220 lbs in some cases here. I have come in to the room where the couch or other piece of furniture was destroyed. I have been responsible for letting them outside at all hours of the day or night. I have fed them special diets, such as raw chicken, and I am talking feeding 5 - 200 lb dogs this diet for weeks because my parents were on vacation in Ireland. I have given dogs pills, whether vitamins such as Omega 3 pills or medicines because they were ill. I have taken dogs to the vet and had to make the choice of putting them down. I honestly have about as much experience with dogs as I could possibly have without having owned one myself.

 

But no, I have never owned one myself.

[BigSqwert]

http://www.flexpetz.com/

[RockRaines]

Definitely a consideration. Unfortunately, I have been incredibly put off by some of these rescue groups or shelters. Because I live in a condo, they seem to be very hesitant to allow me to take a dog off their hands, even though I know more about dogs than most of their own employees and volunteers. They simply are tired of giving dogs to people (and I am sure this happens ALL THE TIME in Vegas), to people who think they want a dog on a whim and then end up bringing it back because they didn't know the dog would bark, or that the dog would drop a deuce on their carpeting. I've said to them "So you are going to keep this dog in this 6 x 8 concrete enclosed area rather than allow me to have it?"

 

I've had several conversations with this breeder and I can tell from her knowledge and experience that she has handled the socialization and development of these puppies very well, and that their mother and father are healthy and well-taken care of.

I really like her. She is sending me more pictures tomorrow, so I am pretty excited. Might have them shipped out the weekend of the 18th if all goes well.

 

Keep up with the advice...I really appreciate it!

Wow, I've never run into this. I adopted my first dog when I was in college with no money and a tiny space.

[G&T]

By the way, don't feel too worried about leaving them alone. Eventually they get used to it and crave it. Last week we had a snow day. The dog was not pleased to see that we were around to interupt his day long nap.

[iamshack]

By the way, don't feel too worried about leaving them alone. Eventually they get used to it and crave it. Last week we had a snow day. The dog was not pleased to see that we were around to interupt his day long nap.

Hah!

Leaving a dog alone for too long is my worst fear, but you're right. It's not as if it is going to spontaneously combust or something if it has to entertain itself for a while.

 

Still doing a lot of research.

 

Thanks for all the advice, everyone!

[BigSqwert]

By the way, don't feel too worried about leaving them alone. Eventually they get used to it and crave it. Last week we had a snow day. The dog was not pleased to see that we were around to interupt his day long nap.

 

 

Hah!

Leaving a dog alone for too long is my worst fear, but you're right. It's not as if it is going to spontaneously combust or something if it has to entertain itself for a while.

 

Still doing a lot of research.

 

Thanks for all the advice, everyone!

 

We leave our 2 dogs at home all day while we're at work and all they do is nap until we get back.

[knightni]

We leave our 2 dogs at home all day while we're at work and all they do is nap until we get back.

Mine has to be gated into the kitchen or he makes messes and gets into trouble.

[BigSqwert]

Mine has to be gated into the kitchen or he makes messes and gets into trouble.

We have to gate this one in the kitchen. This one gets to roam freely though since he won't do any damage.

[hogan873]

Dogs do like their alone time as much as their play time with the family. Our puppy (1 year old now) loves it when the kids are around, and he seems to have boundless energy at times. But, when we're all at work and school, he knows that it's his downtime. I've taken a day off here and there, and the dog basically ignores me and sleeps most of the day...obviously what he likes to do when no one is around. I think dogs are creatures of habit, and they get into routines based on when the owners are around and when they're not. So, leaving a dog alone for extended periods of time isn't necessarily bad, but a dog definitely needs the human interaction. I've always thought that it's not really fair to a dog to leave it alone most of the time and then expect it to interact well with people.

[iamshack]

I am so utterly confused as to which to get, a German Shorthaired Pointer or the Wirehaired...I fall in love with them both, just depends on which I look at more....then I have my mother trying to convince me to get a larger, yet lazier dog, such as a Great Dane or English Mastiff, which I have more experience around....

 

Ahhh! I love them all and want them all!

[Kyyle23]

i really like the look of the shorthair better, but it is preference. wirehair breeds normally shed less. I just think the labrador look of the shorthair is prettier with their colors and spots