none

As you can see from what I wrote,  it was not optimal with Holly and Red .  Even tho Holly was not a snuggly cuddely licking dog to me (oh she loved her Daddy tho) and she slept against my legs, she was very jealous of me giving attention to Red. 
 
Now, With Red and Lola, it is just great.  Red snuggles his big ole Golden body on me, laying his head in my lap and Lola snuggles next to him. She has really bonded with him, but not to the exclusion of loving DH and me.
 
You're right, every situation is different.  What does Gingerbread say?  

ORIGINAL: Hollysmom


You're right, every situation is different.  What does Gingerbread say?  

Lol, funny you should mention that because I've been asking him. Too bad I can't get into his little doggy head to find out, because I REALLY want to know!!

luvmyswissy, please refrain from personal comments in the vein below...it is possible to couch your points without being personal...and I ask as moderator that you find a way to do so or refrain from further posting on this thread. Thanks.
 

And quite frankly, your concerns of your resident dogs attention being pulled from you is just plain immature

I had been toying with the idea of a second dog for awhile and decided not to for a number of reasons, many of which were mentioned here.  One dog is just easier, especially since I bring Abbi with me whenever I can.  I can't imagine being allowed to bring two dogs to the places I am able to bring Abbi too.  Plus my dog has plenty of time with her doggie friends and she loves to be the center of attention.

I am sort of having the same problem.  I know I want another dog but I do have concerns.  I want another dog because:
 
- I want to save another angel from a shelter
- I can afford it so I feel like I should to an extent, be helping more dogs out than one
- DH and I love dogs so much and get so much joy from them
 
I want another dog after we move (which hopefully will be next week) because Bailey has been living with Minnie her whole life.  I know dogs dont need dogs but Bailey love love loves playing with Minnie - even though Minnie is kinda mean to her and wont usually play - and after we move she will be alone.  Its not that she NEEDS a playmate, but I know she would ENJOY a playmate.  And, to an extent, I do think some dogs truly enjoy and do better with a doggy friend.  Some do worse, but Ive seen some thrive on each other and play like they were in heaven and I have thought wow, now what if you only had one...?   
 
Anyway.  The only concerns I have are just the normal issues the dog may have or Im afraid I may not love it as much as Bailey or whatever... although as I type this Im thinking I know it wont be that way.  I truly am willing to love any dog no matter what the best I can and they grow on me so quickly...
 
Then again, the dog sitting issue is kind of a big one for us... anyway, as much as Im rambling, I have a weakness, and I will end up with another family member lol.  []
 
 

ORIGINAL: Luvntzus

Thank you Hollysmom for such a wonderful post! I'm really glad that you have Red and that he helped you wtih Holly's passing.

This is such a difficult decision to make... I feel like every situation is different and sharing my affection with two dogs would be the best possible outcome. [] I'm a stay at home "dog mom" so I have nothing but time. My main concern was that they would just bond to each other, but from what I've read on this post, it seems what usually happens is that in multiple dog households they're all vying for the attention.

I kind of think that after awhile the extra work, vet bills, food, etc. will just become "normal".

Anyway, I do have a lot more thinking and of course praying to do. [] I appreciate everyone's input and I'm considering all of it!

Sally is still very snuggly.  Jack will cuddle occasionally, but not as much as she does.  My dogs do spend time apart and individual time with DH an I, and I love to see them bonding and "cuddling" (they really just curl up in the same crate together and don't touch, but it's still cute).  I think the question you need to ask yourself is this - If the dogs do start cuddling and playing among themselves, are you going to be able to handle it?  If not, then I wouldn't get another dog.

Christina's post made me think.
 
You know.  I think you will actually enjoy seeing them bond and cuddle with each other.  With Kayla and Lucy they both generally wanted our attention but at times would cuddle together.  They got really close and I just loooved seeing them together. 
 
I think you will develop a deep love for the love they will have with each other if that makes sense. 
 
Just a few more pics lol...  
 
 

ORIGINAL: sillysally


Sally is still very snuggly.  Jack will cuddle occasionally, but not as much as she does.  My dogs do spend time apart and individual time with DH an I, and I love to see them bonding and "cuddling" (they really just curl up in the same crate together and don't touch, but it's still cute).  I think the question you need to ask yourself is this - If the dogs do start cuddling and playing among themselves, are you going to be able to handle it?  If not, then I wouldn't get another dog.

Those are really good points! I don't think I'll mind them playing and cuddling. Without going into too much detail, what I minded before was Gingerbread being constantly bullied. That I couldn't handle.

Edited because we were posting at the same time Amy. Those pics are so sweet!! []

Just a thought..it might be a better idea to look for an older pup/young adult.  While I don't know the exact details of Cinnabun's behavior, all puppies are going to play roughly with another dog...they all go after quickly moving feet, and those enticing ears and hair on other dogs. And tails...love to grab those tails.  Until the older dog tells them to 'back off' so to speak, it's sort of a free for all.  If the older dog isn't willing to do this (and some are very laid back and just won't) it's a matter of management and waiting for the  pup to mature. I'm not sure if that is the type of bullying you were referring to, or if it was something different, but it's something to think on.
 
Not being judgemental, just thought I'd offer a suggestion that might fit your needs better.  shih tzu rescues can have some great little dogs, and by their being in a foster home, you can generally get a feel of their play style with other dogs before bringing the dog home

ORIGINAL: Luvntzus

ORIGINAL: sillysally


Sally is still very snuggly.  Jack will cuddle occasionally, but not as much as she does.  My dogs do spend time apart and individual time with DH an I, and I love to see them bonding and "cuddling" (they really just curl up in the same crate together and don't touch, but it's still cute).  I think the question you need to ask yourself is this - If the dogs do start cuddling and playing among themselves, are you going to be able to handle it?  If not, then I wouldn't get another dog.

Those are really good points! I don't think I'll mind them playing and cuddling. Without going into too much detail, what I minded before was Gingerbread being constantly bullied. That I couldn't handle.

Edited because we were posting at the same time Amy. Those pics are so sweet!! []

I think the key here may be ubber research to find a good breeder and then lots of breeder communication.  It might be a good idea, even if it is a long drive, to go see the pups interact, and discuss the picking of the puppy with the breeder.  That way to can do everything humanly possible to find a pup with a personality that jives well with Gingerbread's.  We spent a lot of time with Jack's breeder discussing what pup would be best.  I actually went there set on a black pup and got a chocolate instead.  Why?  Because Jack was what we wanted personality wise.  He is laid back, but still playful, submissive, but not timid.  He is now almost five months and things have gone fairly well (aside from a sock eating incident), and God willing, things will continue to go smoothly (although we are about to enter the dreaded adolesence---dun-dun-dunnnnnn).

grab01- Those are some very good points! Some of the issues with Cinnabun and Gingerbread were puppy things like you mentioned, but it was more than that. Once Cinnabun was laying on the floor in the foyer and heard Gingerbread drinking in the other room. He got up and RAN to the other room just to stop Gingerbread from drinking. [&o] The thing is, I didn't meet him in person before I got him- he was shipped to us and if I had met him for even 5 minutes I would have known that he wasn't the puppy for me. I can tell pretty quickly whether a puppy is one that I can live with and it isn't the "spunky" one that is the first to jump and bite at you... When I met Gingerbread he sat quietly in my arms and was a sweet, gentle little puppy. From the beginning all it took was one "no" and he would put his ears down and immediately stop whatever he was doing. It only took a handful of no's and he'd never do that particular thing again. Some people told me with Cinnabun that since he was a puppy he was pretty much a blank slate. I don't really agree with that; I feel very strongly that a dog's behavior can be modified to a degree, but their basic personality is the same. Gingerbread is the same dog now that he was at 9 weeks old. Same with every dog I've known... So anyway, sorry to get so sidetracked!

Christina- I agree wholeheartedly that if I do get another puppy I need to do tons of research and meet the puppy in person. I found out the hard way that one person's "outgoing" can be another person's "pushy" for example. Cinnabun's breeder is the nicest person and she really tried to match us up, but I think there's probably some amount of chemistry between the dog and person that you either feel or you don't.... kind of like why matchmaking doesn't usually work with people- it might look perfect on paper, but just isn't there. Then when adding a dog to the household there are the other dog's personalities to consider and it's even more complicated. That is a really good point about color also. I'm very partial to liver and chocolate coloring (speaking of chocolate, I want to see pics of Jack![]) but personality is definitely way more important.

Anyway, I'll say one thing, I'm envious of people that are either content to be "one dog people" or multiple dog owners. I feel like I'm somewhere in between! Bah humbug! []