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  1. #1
    Puppy vanousb's Avatar
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    Looking to add to our family

    Hope I am in the right thread. If not, I apologize and will gladly move. Looking for advice. Our four-year-old chocolate lab coco has been a perfect addition to our family. When we got her as a puppy, she quickly took up with my in-laws older black lab martin and seen him as her canine companion from day one. My in-laws had to put Martin down last week. Since then coco has seemed lost. Considering adding a second lab to our family as a new canine companion. Any direction or advice on how soon is too soon to add a introduce a new lab to the household. If we do, would it be wise to get a puppy or consider a dog closer to coco's age? Maybe a rescue. We Any advice on the process of adding a second lab?

  2. #2
    Senior Dog smartrock's Avatar
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    Hi, I'm sorry to hear about Martin's death, it's always hard to lose a loved family member. As for when the right time to get a new companion is, it's when your heart tells you it's the right time. Some people get at new puppy or dog within a week, others take much longer to be ready to open themselves to this adventure again. I don't think there's any right time for everyone, just when it's right for you.

    The breeder we got our first lab from suggested waiting until he was at least 2 years old before getting a second dog so there's time for him to get the time and attention and training that he needs. So Coco is old enough from that standpoint to bring home a puppy. You could also consider a slightly older puppy or young adult dog. I wouldn't go for a dog very close to Coco's age, probably at least 2 years younger, so they're both playful and full of energy but both dogs don't reach their senior years at the same time. Hopefully they'd both live a good long time and both of them would eventually be seniors together, but a bit of space between them might be easier since, darn it, they just don't live long enough. I would point out that not all dogs become fast friends so you shouldn't expect that Coco will necessarily get along with the new addition the same as she and Martin got along. But she would have a buddy to play with sometimes even if they weren't snuggle buddies.

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  4. #3
    Puppy vanousb's Avatar
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    Much thanks for the response smartrock. As Martin was my in-laws our personal attachment is not as deep as our coco. But feel a companion for her would fill the gap and over time offer both companionship and play on dog level.

  5. #4
    Senior Dog smartrock's Avatar
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    The main thing is to get another dog because YOU want another dog, not because you think Coco wants another dog. You never know for sure how their relationship will be but you will be just as responsible for the new pup/dog as you are for Coco. So, if you guys think you want another dog for yourselves, if you have the time and resources to care for another dog, then go for it.

  6. #5
    Puppy vanousb's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by smartrock View Post
    The main thing is to get another dog because YOU want another dog, not because you think Coco wants another dog. You never know for sure how their relationship will be but you will be just as responsible for the new pup/dog as you are for Coco. So, if you guys think you want another dog for yourselves, if you have the time and resources to care for another dog, then go for it.

    Totally agree. We had been planning to bring another puppy in for a little while. Want another lab for sure. Know the time and responsibility and prepared for it. The loss of Martin had us considering coco. She is very playful with other dogs we have had her around. Just wanted to hear from those who have introduced a new dog into the mix. Puppy vs older, etc.

  7. #6
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    With the exception of our first Lab Brutus, all of the dogs we've introduced to existing furry family members have been puppies. Bru was already 3...the same age as our female Akita. They got along really well.

    They both readily accepted two puppies (spaced about 2 - 3 months apart...Bru's health wasn't allowing him to keep up with the first of those two and so we needed a playmate).

    Of the two we have now, we adopted Sunnie into a dog-free home and she smuggled 5 little ones in with her....Dan is pick of the litter. As good as Sunnie is with dogs on our walks, I do not really think she'd like another dog in the house. Actually, I think she probably wished we wouldn't keep one of those puppies initially...but she and Dan get on great. (Dan got reactive toward other dogs around the age of 2 but was still friendly with dogs he'd known prior to that.)

    Based on all of the above stuff, I'd recommend getting either a puppy or a young adult 2 1/2 - 3 years of age. Two has a reputation for personalities changing if they're going to.

    Good luck with whatever path you choose. (and be sure to share with us)

  8. #7
    Senior Dog Tanya's Avatar
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    Assuming your pup has no issues with new dogs, you can really go either way. Maybe consider personal preference and routine to see if a young adult is a better fit VS a puppy. Your dog will adapt to either.

    personally, puppies don't fit my routine or preference. Cute as can be and I'd love to do it all from scratch one day, but with my work schedule and activities I like doing, a dog closer to (or at) maturity is a better fit for me. You can still go the breeder route if you want, looking for adult placement (or slightly older puppy), or reputable rescue that has dogs in foster care, fully vets them and assess them prior to adoption (and you can have the dogs meet beforehand) or even just go with a shelter-pound (fewer questions on that route VS adopting from a rescue).

    i am sorry for your loss

  9. #8
    Puppy vanousb's Avatar
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    Appreciate the advice all. Today we notice the grieving coco is dealing with. Kind of lost. Actually messed in the house for the first time is four years. A lot less wag in her tail.
    We are leaning into looking for an older puppy or young adult as mentioned above. But haven’t ruled out puppy. Just not sure what best move it for cocos adjustment. Might be reading too much into it. One thing we do agree on is wanting a second in the long run feeling the play and canine companionship is a positive. Just not sure of timing. Really do appreciate the advice from those with experience. Coco is our first lab. Is happy, good natured, and has been perfect for our family. Didn’t realize the impact on her losing her pal. FYI, Martin was about 13 years old and was the alphA when he and coco were together. Massive tumor popped up on his neck. With age, nothing vet could do.

  10. #9
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    When we lost Dan's best friend (Charlie the tuxedo kitty), Dan mourned for about 6 months. If we said Charlie's name or the word cat, Dan would run around the house, looking for his buddy. We spelled a lot. One morning we ran into a friend in the park whose name is Charlie and I forgot myself...although our Charlie never went to that park, Dan attempted to yank me around so that he could look for him

    -palmtreedanny002-jpg

  11. #10
    Senior Dog Tanya's Avatar
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    Try doing some fun activities to help him. Go for a walk somewhere new, go to a store or the beach. Have a few special chews to give every few days. Could help him thru the mourning.

 



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