[OzChi]

Hi All,

We've had our beautiful Axel for 5 weeks now and we couldn't love him more! I've always thought we would get a 2nd Chi eventually so the two could entertain each other while my hubby and I are at work but I was thinking this would be a year from now. I thought at 1 year old Axel would be fully trained and well adjusted to living with us and would set a good example for a new puppy. Even though he gets a walk morning and evening and I go home in my lunch hour to visit him most days (some days hubby works from home so I get a break) I still feel guilty that he spends so much time home alone while we're at work. Is it too soon to get another dog to keep him company? I would feel less guilty about leaving them home together but I want to be sure i'm doing the right thing by the dogs so Axel and any future pup would be well adjusted and happy. At what stage did all of you add a second dog to your family and what was the adjustment period like for your first dog? I wouldn't want Axel to feel left out, he plays really well with the others at puppy school but it's different brining another pup into his home with his people. Any advice would be most appreciated.

 

[OzChi]

Oh, how sweet! That 2nd pic makes me feel like I need to run out and get Axel a little buddy immediately! Was Lion a good big brother training wise or was it distracting to have him there when you were trying to show Penny the right thing to do? Also do you feel like your house is overrun with dogs having 2? Is it easy to get out and about with them when your are trying to keep an eye on 2?

 

[OzChi]

Did you get Izzie for that reason, to keep Bella company when you were at work?

I think I'm just reluctant to go from no dogs to 2 in the space of 2 months. My friends already think i need a doggie intervention because I go home to visit Axel in my lunch hour and because I left dinner with them early once because I thought he would be lonely!

 

[OzChi]

Hmmm... I had a feeling no one here would tell me not to get another Chi!

I will have to chat through with my husband and see how he feels about getting another one. He loves Axel but the toilet training issues are driving him a little crazy so i'm not sure cleaning up after 2 would be high on his agenda (but I clean up most of the puddles anyway so not sure he gets a vote there). Hopefully the toilet training will improve over the next few weeks - Axel is nearly 14 weeks and he goes on the wee wee pads about 50% of the time, I know Chi's can take a bit longer than other breeds.

 

[OzChi]

So basically what i'm getting from everybody is that you got your second sooner rather than later and had no regrets about not waiting.

I do want to treasure the time I have with Axel as a puppy and not have him feel jealous or left out but I see how much he loves playing with other dogs and how happy he is to have company when I get home and I really think he would love a little playmate.

My breeder has pups pretty regularly so I guess I just need to start working on my husband. Meanwhile we will head up to my parents farm this weekend so Axel can play with and be mothered by Mum's Jack Russel Ruby.

 

[OzChi]

Upside down in a good way or a bad way?

I was thinking getting another while Axle is still young might make the adjustment less of an upheaval.

We met a Jack Russel in the park last night and Axle was beside himself he was so happy to have someone to play with. I throw the ball for him for 10 mins a coule of times a day but i guess its not the same. He will have my mum's Jack Russel to play with all weekend so that will make him happy. Hopefully seeing them together will convince my husband that we need a second. He doesn't seem dead set against it (probably because I do all the feeding, walking and poop collecting) so keep fingers crossed for me. My breeder has a little chocolate and tan smoothcoat girl who will be ready to go in 4 weeks so she may be the one!