Got new puppy & I want another one. When is the best time to purchase another one?

Question

We just got a Siberian Husky for Christmas. He's now 12 weeks old. He's currently undergoing obedience training. I've read a lot about huskies and they say that two is better than one due to they get bored easily. We try to spend a lot of time with him but that's not always possible. Anyway, I have my eye on the Alaskan Malamute. Is it better to get a puppy now while my other one is still young and so that they can grow together or should I wait till my husky gets bigger and better trained, or does it really matter? I also realize that having two puppies would be a handful and possibly a challenge. Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks.

Answer 1

I've done it both ways and if I were in your position, I would get the puppy relatively soon. Since you mentioned "we", I'm assuming there are at least two of you, so one dog per person. It is somewhat of a challenge, but in some ways it is much easier. You are already getting up in the night to take out one puppy, you're already doing obedience training for one puppy, what real difference would two make. As long as you are not trying to do everything by yourself.

The main difference is going to be the expense of double vet bills, double food, double toys, double training...etc. But if you are in a position to deal with that. Having both dogs grow up together forms a bond between them and gives them a playmate/sibling even if the dogs are from different litters. I would research the personalities of both the Husky and the Malamute to see if there are any areas where they would clash. I'm not overly familiar with either breed other than to know that they are both beautiful dogs.

From experience, I've had less problems with two puppies than I have with bringing a new dog into another's domain. Especially when dealing with male dogs.

Answer 2

first take the vet care for your husky and take it times two. if you can add in the rest of your husky's vaccines, training and spay or neuter and still afford to do this again then continue on...............

personally i would wait until the husky is around a year and well trained. this will make life easier for you because usually a new pup will learn and follow direction of the older dog. so if your husky is not having problems your other pup might be a breeze. husky's are very social animals and might need your one on one attention for many more months to make them the perfect pet. i think a malmute is a great choice, but know they have several serious medical conditions and do your research on a breeder before commiting to a pup. and even though once you get the other pup, plan on taking the new pup to training class also, even though "you've" already been trained, you dog has not and needs the added distraction of a class. but if you can afford and have the time it takes to properly feed, care and exercise and vet care and spay and neuter for these dogs i think another pup would be a great addition to a wonderful owner. but keep in mind, i personally think it would be easier if you waited until your husky is out of the puppy stage or as much as a husky can get out of a puppy stage, lol. good luck.



also a side note, if you are looking for a companion don't forget to check your local humane society or shelter. there are many great dogs there that are husky mixed that could be a wonderful pet also!

Answer 3

when i first got my puppy, my family and i soon noticed that he was lonely so we decided to get another puppy to keep him company - and it was the best decision we ever made. the two keep eachother very well entertained, but beware - when you buy your new puppy, give equal amounts of attention to both puppies, so that your husky does not feel neglected or become jealous.
i think that you probably should get another puppy relatively soon, so that the two dogs can grow up together - this way, they will be around the same stage of maturity. when i had my old dog i found that older dogs are quickly worn out by puppies, and he sometimes seemed to be irritated by the endless energy of the puppy when he was tired.
you are right when you say that two puppies can be a handful. If you have not previously owned two dogs, you will soon find out that if they are anything like my dogs, their bad behaviour seems to rub off on eachother. So you would probably be better off getting aniother pup soon, so that they can undergoe their obedience training together.
Good luck with your decision, and new puppy!

Answer 4

It is probably better to wait until the first one is about 1 to 2 years old. That way you are not trying to take care of two puppies, and the older one can somewhat teach the younger.
I also agree on adopting another pet. It really is possible to find puppies at shelters! If your happy with the husky you should probably stick with that breed; malamutes need ALOT of training and are stubborn dogs.

Answer 5

You should deffinately wait untill your Husky is older. I would suggest waiting untill he is atleast a year old before adding another dog. I'm glad to hear he is in training. Don't worry about him being to old to add another dog, 1 year old dogs are still young and adapt well to new dogs. Waiting untill he's a little more mature can also help keep dominance problems under control. Also getting another dog is not the solution to boredom. If you get another one you'll only have 2 bored dogs. If you do plan on getting a puppy before this one is fully grown, make sure he is house trained and you have obeidience stuff under control.

Answer 6

Maybe wait to see if you still want to get another one, but don't wait too long. Bringing in another dog after the husky has been there for awhile will cause tension between the two. The husky will feel like the new dog is taking over it's territory, but PLEASE ADOPT.

Answer 7

Get one Now. I waited until my first one was 10 months old. The first one was jealous and possessive and the new puppy was scared to death. The first one became territorial. This seemed to last forever. Then the second one tried to become more dominant and find his place in the family. More problems. I had them a year before things settled down. If I had to do it over, I would get two dogs from the same litter and of the same sex.

Answer 8

I would get a new one while they are still young. That way they can get used to eachother and the husky won't get big and bully the other one around.

Answer 9

It would be like having 2 two year olds. I would wait a while, at least until your puppy is past the terrible two stage.

Answer 10

I would get the puppy now so there wont be any turf issues and they can grow up together, knowing eachother. More of a chance that they will get along better.