[Cahalalily]

We already have a border collie who is of course high energy he is also very large for a border collie ...55lbs at 7months ....I wanted something smaller...but yet fiesty enough to handle him... Found these 2 rat terriers...they seem to be perfect...not too big not too small and plenty of energy.Will be picking up these 2 sweeties on Friday

I can't wait...name suggestions anyone??

 

[Russian4]

I would just becareful in the future. because thats a whole lot of energy in one house and i can see one dog turning on another in a heart beat. good thing you got them as pups. good luck!

Carmen
Crash
Bandit

 

[SusanLynn]

What cute pups! I'm just wondering what is motivating you to bring home not one, but two, puppies when you already have a young border collie. It's really easy to believe that you've found the "perfect" dogs before you actually introduce them to your household (I've been there, trust me!). You might find the actual experience quite overwhelming. Do you have a fall-back plan?

 

[Naira]

Two puppies is not a good idea...and you already have a puppy, so you'll have three.

Getting two puppies to keep one high energy puppy busy will backfire. You will have three, high energy unruly puppies. Work on fulfilling your first puppy physically and mentally and helping him become the dog you want him to be.

Maybe when your first puppy is 2 or three years old, you can revisit the idea of getting another puppy.

You don't have to take my advice, but for your sanity and these puppies well being...let me reiterate that having three puppies at once is a terrible idea that will do nothing to curb your first pup's high energy. It will probably make him more worked up.

I would highly advise you to NOT pick up these two puppies on Friday.

 

[Shandula]

Oh my gosh, three puppies under a year.

I have an Aussie (who is also high energy) and I brought home my Border Collie puppy when my Aussie was 10 months old. I love my both my dogs very much, but I regret getting her so early. I really wish I would have waited until the Aussie was closer to 3 years old.

Some of my daily challenges include training, bonding time, and house training. Some of it has to be done individually (like loose leash walking), which means all of my training sessions take much longer. I also have to make sure each dog gets one on one time with me, and I really try to isolate them from each other so they don't over-bond. That will be more difficult for you since you are getting two puppies the same age, from the same litter.

I am home all day, every day with them, and am studying to become a dog trainer. I feel as though I am more prepared than the average owner, and I would not get three dogs under a year in the same house.

 

[Cahalalily]

Up until a week ago we had to Foster pups...Trigger loved them....I dont know who hated to see them go more us or Trigger...he has been sulking since they left and that is what prompted us to look for at first one puppy....then we found these two ...last of their litter...we have talked to the owner extensively...he said if we fi d it didn't work he would take them back....I am home all day so supervision is not an issue...I have been walking and running 3 pups for 2months now so as well as individual training..it is a lot if you are trying g to do this around a work schedule but I am home and I absolutely love it!!


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[SusanLynn]

Cahalalily,

Thanks so much for explaining more about your situation. I'm sure that you can understand the concern, and I feel much more optimistic now.

 

[jclark343]

Man that is a LOT of dog for 1 house. Have you ever had siblings before? I know you said you had fosters just recently, but the problem with fosters is that you have them for a limited time and then they move on. Siblings, when left to grow up with each other, can be fine in the beginning, and down the road develop problems, especially 2 females, and especially rat terriers. I would do a TON of research on Littermate Syndrome. If you are bond and determined to take both puppies, then it is going to require a lot of work from you to make sure there are no issues down the road.

As far as names, I am guessing they are both females. Do you want the names to be similar?
Willow and Maple?
Lilly and Petunia?
Something like that?

 

[Cahalalily]

OK I am reading on that now...from what I am seeing...they need to have a lot of separate time...not sleep together nor eat nor train nor walk...which was my plan anyway.Training goes better when it's one on one.Now I may decide to do just one...will see when I get there and see how both of these little ones personalities are and I do have the option to bring one or both back...not that I plan to...but if I find it's really too much I will do what is in the best Interest of the puppies first and foremost.Also these are males not females...not sure if that's better or worse...both will be fixed. I have no desire to breed. I want them to be part of the family. I want them to be able to spend time together but not NEED to.I will do everything possible to train them so that they are all 3 happy and well adjusted babies.


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[Cahalalily]

OK I have been really reading and thinking about this...I think I am going to get just one see how it goes and maybe later if I want I can get another


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[PoppyKenna]

Another reason I, personally, don't like the idea of several young puppies (besides the extra work and stress!) is that they all will eventually get old...at the same time. Which means you deal with health issues and potentially end of life care around the same time and that can be emotionally taxing. My family had three dogs that were within a span of 2 1/2 years in age. Two passed away last year within 6 months of each other and the last is showing her age as well (though I do think she'll live much longer!) it's not an easy thing.

Even mid life you may decide you want another puppy....only to already have three dogs under your roof.

I think your current plan is a good one, though

 

[jclark343]

One sounds like a really good plan. You're already going to have your hands full with a young BC and a young Rattie. I couldn't even imagine another rattie on top of it.

Do you do any sports with your dogs? I know both breeds are very popular in agility.

 

[Cahalalily]

One sounds like a really good plan. You're already going to have your hands full with a young BC and a young Rattie. I couldn't even imagine another rattie on top of it.

Do you do any sports with your dogs? I know both breeds are very popular in agility.

We already already have an ability course out at my father in laws house for Trigger....they have 10 acres of land there we both run with him regularly so now it may go to I run one he runs the other. And like I said we will see after we have this one for some time if we really want another...we may not.Yes I am home and... I also have snakes too....yes I know...I am slightly insane....but 3 of the snakes we're rescues one was burned pretty badly and the other two we're on the verge of being tossed outside


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[Cahalalily]

And tomorrow evening I will be going to pick him up.....I think we even picked a name for him....Clyde...
This is the one we decided to take

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[timber]

2 puppies will be a lot of work plus an "almost" teenage dog...but...if you can provide the dedication and commitment needed it can be done. I had 3 young dogs at the same time and came out alive, lol. Only you know what you can handle and it seems like you have already discussed the possibility of it being too much and having a back-up plan if that becomes the case. Good luck and keep up updated on the new addition's progress.

 

[Cahalalily]

Really it was the littermaye syndrome that made me decide to only get one.I want this little one to be my baby. After reading about littermate syndrome I really felt it would be best for both us and the puppy and Trigger to go with just one right now.yes I could have kept them seperate but that kind of defeats the purpose of getting two....I want them.to be able to.play together... but I.don't want them.to NEED to be together.so.for now...
One it is .who knows what will happen later down the line....I may get a second.one


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[Shandula]

We already already have an ability course out at my father in laws house for Trigger....they have 10 acres of land there we both run with him regularly so now it may go to I run one he runs the other. And like I said we will see after we have this one for some time if we really want another...we may not.Yes I am home and... I also have snakes too....yes I know...I am slightly insane....but 3 of the snakes we're rescues one was burned pretty badly and the other two we're on the verge of being tossed outside


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Sorry if I misunderstand, but are you currently doing agility with Trigger? Jumps, weave poles etc?

 

[Cahalalily]

Yes I am doing agility with Trigger....have been since he was about 3 months old


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[jclark343]

Yes I am doing agility with Trigger....have been since he was about 3 months old

I'm guessing not full agility. You really aren't suppose to do full obstacles until they are over a year and their growth plates have closed in order to prevent future injury. Just a thought.

So glad you decided on just getting the one puppy. I think you will find that you have a much better bond with the one puppy when you aren't having to split your attention.

Also, now that you explained the snakes, your signature makes sense. Lol.

 

[Shandula]

Yes I am doing agility with Trigger....have been since he was about 3 months old


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Paging @jclark343, @Laurelin and @agilityk9trainer for some more knowledge, as they all compete with their dogs.

You can correct me if I've misunderstood, but have you been doing all the equipment since he was young? If you have, I feel like I should tell you it can be quite detrimental to your dog's health to be doing equipment that young, particularly with growth plates and potential soft tissue damage.

Foundation work (especially on the flat) can be done pretty early, as can tunnels, and maybe baby equipment like wobble boards. Is this what you meant when you said you started him at 3 months?