Mocca & myself
Last fall, one of my fellow “agility nuts” mentioned I should start thinking about getting a puppy, because Mocca is “getting up there” in age (she’ll be 11 in October), and of course I would need to train a new dog, etc., and that takes time. So I should time it so that by the time Mocca is officially retired, I would have another agility dog to run! Now, I had not considered this whatsoever. I guess I figured Mocca would just go on forever! It was a bit of a shock, really. So I started thinking. And thinking. And thinking some more.
One of our trainers had a litter of puppies over the winter – I did not get one. In fact, I didn’t go NEAR those puppies. I knew if I did I would be doomed. Who can resist a puppy face (not to mention a puppy from some great agility dogs!)? I continued to think. Here is what I have come up with (so far):
- Yes, Mocca will one day be unable to run agility. I hope it is later rather than sooner.
- I am not keen on having two dogs at once. I have done it in the past, and I surely believe in dogs interacting with each other, but that is a LOT of paws to clean on muddy days.
- My parents, who take care of Mocca when I am away, are not entirely interested in having 2 dogs to care for either (3 with their dog!).
- IF I did get another dog, while Mocca was still around, it would have to be male, because Mocca doesn’t get along well with females. I’m not a HUGE fan of male dogs (sorry), but I would for Mocca if I had to.
- Would I get a rescue? I LOVE rescues. They are the best dogs! However, I have a very refined set of needs that I am not sure can be met by a rescue. Male, good with cats, good with kids, able to run agility (prefer registered as not all AKC around here allow non-registered dogs yet).
- Should I get a puppy? I have never had a puppy before all on my own. I’ve only gotten grown-up dogs! Puppies are A LOT of work. I experienced some of it when my parent’s got their Toller puppy last year and it was shocking. Could my household endure a puppy? What would the cats do with a puppy? Perhaps they’d love each other! Perhaps they’d hate each other…It would be fun to get a dog from the very start though.
- Should I wait until Mocca leaves us (NEVER!)? Then I will be agility dog-less. This is definitely an issue to consider.
Molly & myself
The ONE THING I do know is this: my next dog will be an Irish Setter. Although I am sorely tempted to get a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever (Toller); my parent’s Toller is unbelievably smart and a nice sized compact dog with little grooming needs. However…My dearly departed rescue setter Molly really left a mark on me and an Irish Setter is what is truly in my heart. Yeah, they may not be the best agility dogs, but their temperment and personality are what I love!
So that’s what I’ve been thinking, and probably will continue to think about until something forces me to decide, because obviously I haven’t come to any sort of decision! Any thoughts from our blog readers?
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Before the old dog gets really old, taking on a pup will have two benefits. The old dog will come alive with the challenge of company, and the old dog will teach the new one. This is what I have found and the house breaking, food, etc, is much easier when elder teaches the youngster. I was not lucky in my old dog and a new one. I put off getting a pup and now my elder has passed on. At this point, I am still not ready for a pup, and like you, I will not go near one for fear of taking on more than I want to right now. When I do, my pup won’t have an elder to teach it and it will be a greater burden to train the new.
Good luck with what ever you choose and I hope that your elder will live another 10-15 years.
Last September our cocker spaniel, Sparky, died at the age of 14. We had him for 12 years. In January we adopted an English Shepherd, Megan. Megan is a great dog but we miss having a cocker spaniel. We also think that Megan might enjoy the company. Also, Megan is pretty much my dog (just the way it worked out) and my partner would really enjoy having a little dog that is “hers” as Sparky was. But we’ve never had two dogs at once…
You have so many questions and concerns.. I have seven dogs and the question that made me come to my own opinion and conclusion was the one about not being too keen about having two dogs, a lot of muddy paws to clean and your parents weren’t too thrilled about baby sitting two dogs, adding to their already one that they have as well… So my answer is a clear NO!!!!!
We got a 1 yr old rescue dog when our yellow lab was 10. We thought the pup would liven up our older dog but they never really became playmates. She was dominate and bossy, and at times I think our sweet lab felt neglected due to the presence of this cute, active little sister. Then other times she was maternal with him and licked his face and curled up with him. We solved most of the problems by making sure we spent plenty of time with them each dog individually. And to be honest, although nothing really helps, it did help a bit to have another dog at home when that sad day eventually came. I hope these thoughts help. Good luck with your decision.
Based on all of your concerns, I would probably wait because two dogs does not really sound like something you want to do and personally, I wouldn’t either.
If I were you, I would wait. And then I would rescue a dog a year or two old. Puppies are cute but I have no desire to ever own one. Our 1 year old dog from a shelter is an amazing pet and she was so easy to train. Plus, she was basically house trained before we even got her!
Regarding “However, I have a very refined set of needs that I am not sure can be met by a rescue.” -
Whenever you decide to get another dog, a rescue may actually provide you with more assurances that they meet your criteria more than a dog you get from a breeder, especially a rescue from a rescue group that has had time to observe the dog or, even more so, a dog that has been with a foster family. We recently sent our foster dog to his forever family (a long distance adoption from AR to NJ), and one of the things that his family loved was that, because he had been with our family, they knew exactly how he would behave around other animals and children. So, don’t let your specific requirements rule out getting a rescue; you may find the rescue has better background information available.
A *good* rescue group will work with you to find you the perfect match. You have a much better chance of getting what you want that way than with a pup . . . so many unknowns! Best of luck with your decision.
Thanks everybody for all the great advice! I need it. Sometimes I think I should just let what will happen…happen! I’ll keep you posted on any decisions (probably just the same indecision!)
My dog passed away from cancer 7 years ago. Recently I have been thinking about getting another dog but am not sure if I am ready to make the 15 year committment. I miss having a dog around but am realistic to what my life is like now. As a “compromise” I decided to get invovled with a rescue group and foster a dog. I know right now in my life I can committ some quality time to a dog and nothing will make me happier then knowing that i’ve helped bring a rescue dog closer to finding a forever home.