Thou shalt not give into temptation...or shalt I?

[labgirl]

Shall I be a minor voice of reason?

Ok, disadvantages
All young dogs together needing individual training
Possibility the dogs will become overly bonded with each other
Dogs may suffer seperation anxiety when walked alone/taken to vets alone, etc
Cost of extra training classes (if you do those)
Cost of extra food, medical care, insurance, etc
Difficulty making sure each dog gets some quality 1-2-1 attention
Dogs all growing old (possibly dying) at the same time

Do I need to list advantages?

I have to say if you were talking labs or spaniels or even terriers I would be going, no! No! NO! Are you crazy? But shelties are a different kettle of fish and just aren't the same as those crazy, insane pups other breeds have! They are calm, listen well and just, well, easy!

So if you really want to and all the practical things are in place (finance, room, etc), I don't think I am the person to talk you out of it.

Besides, I have to keep resisting the temptation to email my breeder and see when her next litter is....

 

[Sheri]

You know you're in the wrong place to be talked out of a puppy, right?

Exactly. Maggie's mom just had more puppies a couple of days ago, they are just so cute!!!! Pickle is an adorable doggie name, by the way.

 

[Sumac3890]

I have to say if you were talking labs or spaniels or even terriers I would be going, no! No! NO! Are you crazy? But shelties are a different kettle of fish and just aren't the same as those crazy, insane pups other breeds have! They are calm, listen well and just, well, easy!

Have to say this gave me a giggle!!! But there is so much truth to what you said pro and cons.

 

[take4roll10]

I have to say if you were talking labs or spaniels or even terriers I would be going, no! No! NO! Are you crazy? But shelties are a different kettle of fish and just aren't the same as those crazy, insane pups other breeds have! They are calm, listen well and just, well, easy!

Have u met Bailey??? Calm? Never. Listens well? Only when you have a treat. Easy? Ummm nope!

I think Bailey is really half lab, half border collie.

Joking aside, Labgirl brings up some very valid things to consider. 3 puppies is a lot to handle. You have to make sure you have enough time to give them all individual attention. And not only if you have enough time right now, but what about in 2-3 years from now? Also, financially, what will happen if they all come down with a virus and are sick at the same time? Can you afford monthly flea/tick & heartworm preventative, food, training classes (if you plan on training) for all 3? What about when they're all seniors? Vet costs for seniors can be very expensive. Just some stuff to think about.

 

[Lysette85]

True true true. I am a bit nervous about taking on a third dog...I keep asking myself...do I REALLY need another dog? No, but it would be "cute" to have Claussen's brother. I finally received some video of him..no pictures yet. Here are a couple videos of him from a show in August...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jH1qetJObA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=AH1KWGa90Eo

Normally I work swing shifts at a factory. 7am-3pm for 7 days, and I get 1 day off. Go in to work the following day and work 3-11pm for 7 more days, get a day and a half off. Go in that night and work 11pm-7am for 7 more days and then get out friday morning and don't go back to work until Wednesday (so I get a 4 day weekend once a month). It's nice to work different hours I think, but the 7 days in a row before you get a day off is very tiring, especially considering the kind of work I do. (I make catalytic converter filters for clean diesel technology and clean automotive).

I really wanted a blue merle, and am wondering if I should hold out for one. This particular breeder has GORGEOUS litters all the way around.



I understand it's really about personality, but that's not something I am concerned about with this breeder because they are SOO picky. I mean, they've decided to send Relish to a loving home because he is missing a few premolar teeth. It's not a disqualifying factor but they said they are very strict with what dogs they choose to keep. They have invited us to come visit within the next couple of weeks. I'm going to try to go just with the mission of having a good time with them, meeting their dogs, etc, and not with the mindset of going home with another dog. It will be tempting if Claussen and his brother get along really well, though. Little Bear is a little too dominant sometimes for Claussen and Claussen will stop short of grabbing a toy I've thrown if Little Bear is running after it, too. If I call Claussen to me, Little Bear lunges at his face/neck to stop him from coming to me, so it would be good for Claussen to have a more likeminded dog to play with, but we will see.

 

[Justicemom]

. . If I call Claussen to me, Little Bear lunges at his face/neck to stop him from coming to me, so it would be good for Claussen to have a more likeminded dog to play with, but we will see.

Just because their are litterbrothers doesn't mean they will be like minded or similar in temperment. My 2 boys from Diva's litter where different as night and day. Porter was laid back and very sweet. He is outgoing and stable but more of a thinker about new situations. Prefering to gauge the situation before he throws himself in. Smart and willing. Bock was intense, a just do it puppy, gave every ounce of himself all the time. Nothing laid back about him. Sweet but in a different kind of way. Got himself into alot of trouble because of it. Too smart for his own good.

I say get another puppy if you really want one but not because it is Claussen brother or you think they will get along togther(they might not). There will be other puppies in time that will met your needs. 3 puppies under 1 yrs is alot of work. None of these dogs are fully trained yet and can you really do them justice in their socialization and training with 3 of them or will it be just good enough and they never met their full potential because your overwhlemed by puppiness. Just something to think about.

I have 3 dogs and I am considering a 4th in my home but my other dogs are fully trained(as far as house manners) and mature. I would never consider training 3 puppies at the same time. IMHO thats insanity. You have your whole life to add another dog why rush into it. Not trying to be mean just trying to be real.

 

[Lightplum]

I have 3 dogs and I am considering a 4th in my home but my other dogs are fully trained(as far as house manners) and mature. I would never consider training 3 puppies at the same time. IMHO thats insanity. You have your whole life to add another dog why rush into it. Not trying to be mean just trying to be real.

I did it with two and it was literally my full time job as I was not working at that point...It was hard I can not even fathom trying it with 3 I would be ready to pull my hair out!! Dr Shelli is right though it really isnt fair to bring another one into the mix especially with them being younger and needing more one on one time and training...

 

[Lysette85]

I know that Claussen's brother has a similar temperment because the breeder did tell me what he was like. She said he is very sweet, submissive, quiet and loves attention, so that sounds similar to Claussen at least. I am off work for a while now and basically have the entire day to spend with my dogs. I train them individually and walk them individually twice a day, and then they go for a walk together at the end of the day.

It's really not having time that would be the issue. My boyfriend that lives with me is home most of the time as well. He's a wedding photographer so unless he's shooting a wedding, he's home processing images and hanging out with the dogs.

But I have decided against getting another dog because I think it would be a little overkill for pets right now. I've got 2 cats. I live in a large townhouse but I would rather have a home with a HUGE fenced in yard and dog door if I were to have any more dogs. Plus...I really want a blue merle like in the picture I attached in the prior message. I absolutely love dogs, and have been training them since I was 13 (just basic commands) so I'm used to be around a lot of dogs...doesn't phase me. But I think we'd have to upgrade to a King sized bed because there isn't room for another dog with 4 animals and 2 people in a Queen!

Thanks for your input and advice everyone. I know I made the right decision.