Advise - Page 1

So I have my 2 current dogs, Isabelle, My beagle mix (my pet, box puppy) and Atlas, my boy who has helped me get started with schutzhund and is a great puppy. Isabelle is about a year old, Atlas is 8 months old. I found the perfect dogs for my next puppy (buying for Schutzhund). However, I'm terrified that I'm going to take away the attention that my current pups need. This puppy will be able to come home in September. Does everyone get the gitters on thier first solid puppy for this sport or is it just me? Business wise I would be dumb not to do it. Training wise I would be dumb not to do it. But I have to keep my other two in mind and whats best for them as well... I guess I need advise. Im not sure what to do. 
Thanks  

Do you work full time, do you stay home? How much free time do you have? Each SchH dog needs at least 45  to 90 minutes or more of individual training.

Having two really young dogs in training is VERY difficult. You do not want these puppies to play together, you want them to play with only you. That means that while you're playing with one dog, the other will be crying in its crate.....and visa versa.

If I were you, I'd wait until your first dog is 2 or 3 years old before starting another puppy.

I'm in college. Besides that I have a good bit of time on my hands. Most of the day. I train Atlas 5-8 times a day at 30-45 minutes each setting (if that tells you how much time I have, lol) I do understand that the interactions with the dogs that stay in my home do have to be limited and I do understand that raising two would be alot of work.

Atlas isn't the most ideal of dogs, but considering this he is doing extremely well and most people believe that he can at least finish club level. He's a good dog to start with and he is a doll.

I just don't really know what to do. Thank you for you advise and I'm taking what everone says into consideration, I just want to do whats best.

Tiff

Has  your club training director expressed an opinion either way?

President of the club and director both said that I should do it that there would be a big enough gap between Atlas and the new puppy. Both have a lot of faith in me as a trainer. In all honesty I think I have started questioning myself more because of my fiancee. He keeps asking if I'll be able to handle it or what not. Just putting this "food for thought" in my brain and I'm beating myself up about it because I was so pumped about the puppy and so sure I wanted her... Now I dunno if I should wait or not. :(

If you can find the perfect home let the dog go. If your new one is getting more time issues will arise. It is BETTER for the dog to go to a one dog home where he/she is the best than to be low dog on the totem pole. Yes you may feel like a POS for a day but keep reminding yourself that the dog has a better life than you could provide. In a month when a few phone calls have happened you will be smiling and feeling better. You will always remember and smile about the dog .

Sorry, as an academic I have to ask the questions that are not directly dog related....what year are you in? Do you have plans for graduate school? How much time will you have when you finish school and get a job? I'm not trying to be a stick in the mud, but the time you have for the dogs right now, is not necessarily the time you're going to have shortly down the road. Good luck in your studies and your training with Atlas. He sounds great :-)

? I'm trying to avoid time issues. This new puppy won't be here till August or Septemeber. I would prefer not to have to give away any of my dogs though. Not at the moment. Atlas and Isabelle do great together. I need advise on whether or not to go through with getting this new puppy.

London Thank you. Atlas is a goof and I love him dearly. 


I have 1 year left after this.  Studying history and philosophy. I doubt I will be doing much after school execpt for maybe substitute teaching for awhile due to my fiancee being in the Navy and the consisistant moving we are going to be experiencing due to his job. My degrees are more of a fall back plan for me, not what I want to do with my life, and I do want something to do, in essance working with the dogs.

Thank you :)

I do know in the end it's my decision, but I like to hear the advise from others. I still have some time to think about it and its all dependent on how far I get with Atlas. I do want one of the pups, more than anything, but I shouldn't be neglectful of what I already have. I'll know if we can handle it as time progressses, but the advise helps. Its def. nerves. I just want to make sure I do right. Thank you all.