GTuck Posted April 12, 2006 Report Share Posted April 12, 2006 I was at the Vet yesterday to have my little girls' stitches taken out after being spayed (it's about time, now we can finally play again and burn off some of that energy , but while I was there my Vet tried selling me a Border Collie that somebody left there. He is 4 months old, and Presley (my little girl 9 months), is just as cute as can be with this little boy. I am a single guy, I live by myself, how hard would it be to have 2? I've never had 2 dogs at once before, and I have been thinking about adding one. I don't know, good idea, or bad idea? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PennyT Posted April 12, 2006 Report Share Posted April 12, 2006 This depends on your circumstances. Two would be hard in an apartment. I think two are far easier than one. It's easier emotionally on the dogs. They have each other to play with and all the owner's expectations aren't wrapped up in one dog. You have two hands for petting two at once. Male and female are a good combination. You'll have to give some obedience training separately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTuck Posted April 12, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2006 I have a house, and a nice fenced in back yard. I think my girl would have a lot of fun running around with a companion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Root Beer Posted April 12, 2006 Report Share Posted April 12, 2006 Personally, I wouldn't consider having just one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flrpwr52 Posted April 12, 2006 Report Share Posted April 12, 2006 The only thing I would think of is the 5 months that separates them. My girls are only 10 months apart and some times that can be a little much. I could never just have one but when I do it again I will have more of an age difference between them. Good luck to you, you only live once you might as well be happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FishinBC Posted April 12, 2006 Report Share Posted April 12, 2006 Two are easier than one and three is even better! One question though, why is the vet trying to SELL you a pup that was left be someone else? Is it just to cover adoption and medical cost for the pup so far? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dixie_Girl Posted April 12, 2006 Report Share Posted April 12, 2006 As long as there are no hidden probs with the pup, I would go for it. Sounds like you are already smitten with the little guy! And there is the fact that they will have each other! Uh,,,,you ain't planning on naming him Elvis are you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue R Posted April 12, 2006 Report Share Posted April 12, 2006 Sounds nice to me, especially since the thought of another had already crossed your mind! Our Celt was 7 months old when we adopted Megan, who was 9 months old. They have been a perfect pair - they are good buddies but both are closely bonded to us humans. They chase and wrestle, play fetch, and just are a great pair. A male and a female (both neutered/spayed) is often the best combination. When we walk or are working outside, they have each other for play (inside, too, with limitations), but both are responsive to any family member who wants to do something with them. If you get two *little* pups, sometimes it's an issue that they bond to each other rather than to you, but these dogs are bit older and I think you'd do fine. You just need to remember to spend one-on-one time with each, working on manners and obedience. If you've got the heart and can do it, I hope you are able to give the little guy a good home and a big "sister"! I don't think your vet would "offer" him to you if he/she didn't think you'd do a wonderful job for both dogs (did you mean "selling" as in selling for a price or just trying to "sell" you on the idea?). Best wishes with whatever you decide to do! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dixie_Girl Posted April 12, 2006 Report Share Posted April 12, 2006 P.S. You already passed crazy when you got the first Border Collie! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kat's Dogs Posted April 12, 2006 Report Share Posted April 12, 2006 Is it really a sell? Sometimes a vet will take a dog and find it a good home - but for free. 2 is very good! You just have to be very sure that they each get plenty of "alone time" with you (ie without the other dog). Besides the cost of more food and the time you have to spend doing more play/training stuff - if they get along well, and you can handle it - Go for it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTuck Posted April 12, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2006 Yeah, it's not really a sell. It's a couple hundred to cover all the shots, neutering, etc.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTuck Posted April 12, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2006 Uh,,,,you ain't planning on naming him Elvis are you?Actually, I think I'm going to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deneen Posted April 12, 2006 Report Share Posted April 12, 2006 If you are willing to put in the time with 2 young ones, then you are crazy...but it can be done! Training two young dogs is more difficult, but if you can train separately or take two classes separately it can be done. We adopted Sydney when she was 10 months old and Sarah was 18 months old. I won't lie. It wasn't easy. The first month I kept wondering if we'd done the right thing. The second month, I started to enjoy it. It probably took me a good three to four months before I was thrilled with having a second dog. It took Sarah even longer to get used to being one of two dogs. Everything was very easy with Sarah as the only dog. We had a nice schedule with her, and we only had to pay for one dog's expenses (classes, vet, food, toys, etc.). It was also an adjustment because Sarah was shy around other dogs. When we first brought Sydney home, Sarah was very jumpy and freaked out. Despite all of the challenges and adjustments, now things are very good. The girls play together all of the time. Sarah has much more confidence in herself. Sydney learned a lot of things from Sarah, so that was very nice. I do take the girls to separate training classes, so I have a two-day commitment each week to taking them to classes. Keep us updated. ~Kelly Deneen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dixie_Girl Posted April 12, 2006 Report Share Posted April 12, 2006 Actually, I think I'm going to. [/QB] LOL okay, I was wondering! Let us know if the neighbors start looking at you weird when they hear you calling out, "Elvis, Presley!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrSnappy Posted April 12, 2006 Report Share Posted April 12, 2006 Originally posted by PennyT:This depends on your circumstances. Two would be hard in an apartment. Why? Why would it be harder than one in an apartment, or 9 in a house? I live in an apartment with 3 and sometimes 5 or 6 border collies and only one of them is old enough to remember living in a house. I personally would never have two puppies that close in age, no matter where I lived. I like to leave about 3 years between dogs. It's been 3 years since the last one, I am itching for a new addition. I think it's better to err on the side of caution and not get a second puppy if one has doubts about having two dogs. It't a lot easier to add another adolescent down the line, or even another puppy when you have a mature dog, than to have 2 puppies at once. RDM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BustopherJones Posted April 12, 2006 Report Share Posted April 12, 2006 P.S. You already passed crazy when you got the first Border Collie!DW most heartily endorses that viewpoint! Let us know if the neighbors start looking at you weird when they hear you calling out, "Elvis, Presley!"My brother named his cat Cocaine, and lives in a condo complex. I will leave the rest to your imagination... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SincereArtisan Posted April 12, 2006 Report Share Posted April 12, 2006 I lived in an apartment with THREE BCs. And when I only had two, I was staying in a studio apartment. It can be done, as long as you devote enough time and attention to taking them out, exercise, playing, and whatnot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTuck Posted April 12, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2006 Well, I'm going to pick him up tonight. You guys are a bad influence on me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandra s. Posted April 12, 2006 Report Share Posted April 12, 2006 Originally posted by GTuck:You guys are a bad influence on me. Punish us by posting lots of pictures and making us jealous Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dixie_Girl Posted April 12, 2006 Report Share Posted April 12, 2006 Oh, sure! We'll take all the blame! LOL How about some pics? Of Elvis and Presley! But if you end up moving to Memphis, that's all on you pal! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTuck Posted April 12, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2006 I might not go with the Elvis and Presley thing, we'll have to see what kind of personality he has first. How should I introduce the new puppy to Presley, in the back yard? They already met at the Vet, but that's a little different, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lunar Posted April 12, 2006 Report Share Posted April 12, 2006 Outside is likely best, yes. How did they react to one another at the vet's? Being that they're so young you probably won't have any problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTuck Posted April 12, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2006 They were good together at the Vet. Presley is very good around other dogs, well she always wants to play, might not always be good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTuck Posted April 12, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2006 I'll try to get some pics up tonight or tomorrow morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JoeysMom Posted April 12, 2006 Report Share Posted April 12, 2006 Congratulations! Let us know how it goes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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