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Thread: Hello, New Here

  1. #1
    House Broken kaialeena's Avatar
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    Hello, New Here

    Hello, I found this board when doing some research on labs. The photo in my profile is my Sierra during one of our visits to the beach, which is one of her favorite places to visit. A family member got her as a rescue when she was just under a year old, but the family went through some changes and I was asked if I could take her for a few months (they had a toddler, a new baby on the way, a new job which caused them to move, and finding a new place to live). Well, they found a place to rent that didn't allow dogs and she has been with me now for over 3 years. They are looking for a place to buy right now, but I think Sierra is going to stay with me since she has turned into my dog.


    Lately, I've been thinking about getting another lab in about a year, but I am still unsure for now. Sierra is almost 10 and she is home alone while I am at work. I wish she had a companion so she isn't home alone that whole time, but I also know how challenging it would be to get either a puppy or rescue as the new one would need a lot of training and I am unsure how I would handle things while I am at work. It is why I am doing a lot of research before making this decision as I don't want to be unfair to either Sierra or the potential new dog. Sierra came pre-trained and she is so well behaved that I didn't have any issues from the moment she came to live with me. She even knew to leave the parrot alone after a few minutes. I've been told that Sierra may help in training the new dog, but I still want to make sure I can find a way to make it work before I decide to move forward.

    Looking forward to reading some previous posts for assistance and I may have questions of my own soon!

  2. #2
    Senior Dog Meeps83's Avatar
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    Welcome! Glad you're researching a new pets ups and downs. One thing you could do while you are at work if you are unable to come home for the pup is hire a dog walker.


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  3. #3
    Senior Dog smartrock's Avatar
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    Welcome to you and Sierra! There are some people on here who do rescue who may be especially helpful, both selecting a new dog and the whole work thing. Make sure you want another dog because YOU want it, not because you think Sierra will be happier. Not all dogs automatically get along and Sierra may be happy enough as an "only child". Then again, maybe a younger adult doggy companion would be just the ticket. Good luck with finding your way.
    Sue

    Chase 9/29/2006- 6/30/2017 Always in our hearts
    Lark 12/25/2012- 2/2/22
    Henry 7/14/18
    Joey 5/14/2022

    “Because of the dog's joyfulness, our own is increased. It is no small gift. It is not the least reason why we should honor as well as love the dog of our own life, and the dog down the street, and all the dogs not yet born. What would the world be like without music or rivers or the green and tender grass? What would this world be like without dogs?”

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  4. #4
    Senior Dog POPTOP's Avatar
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    Hello and Welcome Sierra and family!

    Thank you for doing research first. I home seniors and luckily they have all gotten along fine. I would think getting a pup may be a lot on you and Sierra; maybe a little older dog.
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  5. #5
    House Broken kaialeena's Avatar
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    Thank you all. I am learning a lot from reading many breeder websites and previous posts on this forum. There is so much information out there.

    If I end up getting another dog, it will be for me as Sierra seems content being the only child. While she is active and people are surprised to hear how old she is, she does seem to sleep quite a bit.

    She pretty much gets along with all dogs and wants to greet every dog she sees (except ones that show aggression towards her), but she mostly prefers humans. I take her to the local doggy day care a couple times a month for fun and they never have any problems with her but she sticks around the humans and wherever they are walking instead of joining in with the other dogs.

    The idea of getting another dog started with me being concerned because of her age and a friend suggested that it could be something I should look into and while Sierra is still active. They say that she could also help train the new dog and could also help her 'be young' again. But I do have concerns. I am unsure if I could be prepared for another dog to be more dominant over her because she is so passive or how this could affect our trips to the off leash beaches because Sierra is great with off leash commands and that can't be guaranteed with another dog.

    But for now, I am just going to keep learning what I can and make a decision possibly next year or later.

    edited part: After reading this forum on the puppy section, I think I will be way too over my head with a puppy, so I am pretty sure that is out of the question from everything I read on here. I think I was spoiled as Sierra didn't touch any of my things when she came to live with me and only played with her own toys. Maybe one day when I have more time and work from home, I may consider a puppy, but for now, I may consider a rescue.
    Last edited by kaialeena; 10-23-2016 at 10:40 PM. Reason: added additional content

  6. #6
    Senior Dog Tanya's Avatar
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    Welcome! Sierra sounds wonderful, it's very special to get a dog that's "pre trained" and adapts so well

    I will note that a puppy will be the total opposite. There are advantages to going with a puppy from a reputable breeder (but do consider the greater cost of going this route - you want to support and put the odds in your favour for a healthy well adjusted pup by going with a reputable breeder and those are far from cheap, plus three rounds of vacations, puppy training, if you can' get home mid-day puppy sitter to let her out, spay/neuter - it's all much more expensive). Your pup may also not appreciated an annoying puppy biting and just being lots of movement around the house (some dogs do, some do not even if they are friendly and don't do anything).

    Adopting an slightly older (but not by any means old) dog is a good fit for some and less expensive. You can adopt from a reputable rescue where you'll know more about the dog who is in a foster home (but do read up on the various rescue, they are not all equal). You can adopt/buy a non puppy from a breeder - this could be a puppy they kept to see how they would "grow up" and decide if they use them for their breeding lines or a puppy that was returned (or a variety of reasons). Many good breeders will have socialized and trained the dog and you get the added bonus of knowing the parents passed all their health clearances and their temperament. Then there are shelters and pound - dogs in most need but depending on their set-up you will have less information on the dog prior to adopting. You can even have the dogs meet to see how the initial meeting goes (though this is not always a true sign of how the relationship will go).

    One option is maybe try fostering if there are any good rescues in your area. This is a way to "test" having another dog. You have to commit to holding that foster for a bit but it's not a lifetime commitment. It would allow you to see how things could work out (obviously this will vary based on fit) - or maybe help you see which kind of dog would be a good fit.

    One thing I will signal that I encountered soon after adoption my second dog - my lab who was 9 ish at the time started having some higher monthly cost that have steadily climbed since then. meds for arthritis, bloodwork to check his liver, liver issues, finding alternatives to pain management, having trouble getting up and down, etc. Sadly my second dog passed away suddenly at 3 and I won't get getting another dog until rocky passes on at this point (Rocky is now 12) in part because Rocky seems to enjoy having me all to himself, has much higher needs (time wise, physically and monetarily) and because I am still mourning and not ready.

    Some info about breeders and what to look for (specifically clearances which are special health tests performed on both parents prior to breeding to ensure they do not have/carry issues that could be passed on tot he puppies):
    Clearances For Labs
    Puppy Buyer Etiquette
    Asking About Breeders or Where to Get a Puppy

  7. #7
    House Broken kaialeena's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tanya View Post
    Welcome! Sierra sounds wonderful, it's very special to get a dog that's "pre trained" and adapts so well

    I will note that a puppy will be the total opposite. There are advantages to going with a puppy from a reputable breeder (but do consider the greater cost of going this route - you want to support and put the odds in your favour for a healthy well adjusted pup by going with a reputable breeder and those are far from cheap, plus three rounds of vacations, puppy training, if you can' get home mid-day puppy sitter to let her out, spay/neuter - it's all much more expensive). Your pup may also not appreciated an annoying puppy biting and just being lots of movement around the house (some dogs do, some do not even if they are friendly and don't do anything).

    Adopting an slightly older (but not by any means old) dog is a good fit for some and less expensive. You can adopt from a reputable rescue where you'll know more about the dog who is in a foster home (but do read up on the various rescue, they are not all equal). You can adopt/buy a non puppy from a breeder - this could be a puppy they kept to see how they would "grow up" and decide if they use them for their breeding lines or a puppy that was returned (or a variety of reasons). Many good breeders will have socialized and trained the dog and you get the added bonus of knowing the parents passed all their health clearances and their temperament. Then there are shelters and pound - dogs in most need but depending on their set-up you will have less information on the dog prior to adopting. You can even have the dogs meet to see how the initial meeting goes (though this is not always a true sign of how the relationship will go).

    One option is maybe try fostering if there are any good rescues in your area. This is a way to "test" having another dog. You have to commit to holding that foster for a bit but it's not a lifetime commitment. It would allow you to see how things could work out (obviously this will vary based on fit) - or maybe help you see which kind of dog would be a good fit.

    One thing I will signal that I encountered soon after adoption my second dog - my lab who was 9 ish at the time started having some higher monthly cost that have steadily climbed since then. meds for arthritis, bloodwork to check his liver, liver issues, finding alternatives to pain management, having trouble getting up and down, etc. Sadly my second dog passed away suddenly at 3 and I won't get getting another dog until rocky passes on at this point (Rocky is now 12) in part because Rocky seems to enjoy having me all to himself, has much higher needs (time wise, physically and monetarily) and because I am still mourning and not ready.

    Some info about breeders and what to look for (specifically clearances which are special health tests performed on both parents prior to breeding to ensure they do not have/carry issues that could be passed on tot he puppies):
    Clearances For Labs
    Puppy Buyer Etiquette
    Asking About Breeders or Where to Get a Puppy
    Sorry to hear about your second dog. It is always heartbreaking when that happens to them at such a young age.

    I am going to pass on a new pup at this time as I think I may be better suited with a dog that is a little older for now. I looked at the Golden Gate Rescue group, but I don't live in one of the areas that would allow me to adopt and I liked them a bit more than the one closer to my area. I will keep looking around and check with some of the reputable breeders for possible older dog adoptions too!

  8. #8
    Senior Dog Meeps83's Avatar
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    Often the older dogs are not advertised by the breeders. Find a breeder you like and let them know what you are looking for. It may not be immediately, but eventually they could have what you are looking for. If they don't, they may have breeder friends with the same goals and standards that they could refer you to.


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  9. #9
    Puppy
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    Hi New here also

 



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