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Subject: New puppy....one or two...which is better

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samanthas4

Newbie

09/27/2008 12:21 AM
Ok, I am a new rat terrier owner of a little puppy. I have four children and I know they are just going to love and adore her. But my question is, will just the one little puppy be lonely? The man i got her from offered me two but I wasn't sure if I should take one or two...would she be better behaved with her sister? Do you think it would be a better idea to get two of them so they can keep each other company?? Or would that be just total terror Thanks for any advice anyone has!! Sam

Tammie

Ratastic

09/27/2008 5:29 AM
Hi and welcome to the forum. Your puppy looks very sweet, what is her name? Having four children in the house, I would think your pup would have plenty of company. While she may miss her sister, she will soon come to look at her human family as her pack. It's important to keep in mind that bringing a puppy into your life is very much like adding a baby in that they both need all the care and love you can provide. If you are new to owning a pet, you may be unaware of the expense involved. The cost of spaying and vaccinating two pups, (which I highly recommend) could be as high as $500-600. Puppies are hard to resist I know. Everyday I come here and view the the pix of cute puppies, and have to fight the urge to add another one to my "pack".

That's my baby girl, Bijou and her little brother Banjo, they are Toy Rat Terriers. http://www.dogster.com/dogs/749214 http://www.dogster.com/dogs/939035

farmergurlyo

Ratastic

09/27/2008 7:31 AM
welcome and congRATs on your new addition! i think that there is no one better than another. just depends on the situation. i can only have one pup right now because of my living situation, (and i'm not up to the challenge of training 2 dogs at once lol) but my boyfriend grew up with 2 pups at the same time, which worked out fine too it's just a personal preference, but i think your little pup will be just fine by herself have you gotten a name yet? love to see more pics of her

Ashley~ mommy to rattie kairi

rattytatty

Training Moderator

09/27/2008 7:39 AM
I agree -- it's personal preference. But honestly it looks like you have a full plate already and can you handle more? I think therein lies your answer. It's highly unlikely that your pup will get lonely, as you probably have loads of activity in your home. Although dogs do enjoy interacting with their own species... I would stand on the side of caution and wait a bit.

~Nora~ Mom to Hoss, Lil'Bit, Buster & Bailey, CGC, OA, OAJ

winnihoohoo

Bratty Ratty

09/27/2008 7:47 AM
I have four ratties. They are like potato chips, "It is hard to just have one". I love my ratties. They do things together. They go outside together, sleep together, next to, on top , of me, etc. Sometimes it is hard, when all four want to sit on my lap at the same time, though...

tiggarat

Bratty Ratty

09/27/2008 10:06 AM
welcome! I have littermate sisters...I went to get one, came home with 2 (I saw them on a website and I was torn between them from the start). there are benefits and downsides to getting 2 pups at the same time. I don't regret my decision to get 2 pups and I love them both so much, but I'm not sure if I'll do that again...they truly do love each other and are rarely apart, but they bonded to each other first and it took a long time (longer than just one pup) for them to bond with us. double the teething, double the potty training, double the vet bills, double the training. but it's also double the love. they did get in much more mischief with each other than if there was just one (I doubt either of them would have been brave enough to do that stuff on their own). they were a year old before they really started doing things on their own, and showing their own personalities, which, really couldn't be any more different...Molly (black tri) is a tough tom boy with a strong prey drive, but is a sweetie at heart, while Lucy (lemon/white) is such a prissy little girl and would love nothing else than to be snuggled in your lap all day. it's your decision, you have to live with it...how old are your kids? would they be able (or willing) to help with the challenges of 2 puppies? if not, I'd wait until your pup is older and well trained before considering getting another pup. we'd love to see more pics of your rattie! what's her name?

Lisabeth furbabies: Lucy and Molly (1 1/2 yr old decker ratties), and Rosie (3 yr old dobie) Buddy - gone but never forgotten. "I don't think he has any idea he's a dog, really. Of course, he thinks he has a rather odd figure for a man" - Dodie Smith

singingpilgrim

Ratastic

09/29/2008 12:51 AM
It depends, I would say. Just do what you feel is best for your family. While there will be an awesome bond between littermates, also realize you can always adopt another dog later if you want two. That way you only have to train one at a time... Also, if you want them to bond more strongly to people then to dogs, I'd just get one. But if you want them to bond more to each other, I'd get two. Not that any rattie raised in a loving home is going to not love people. But there are two kinds of pet dogs: dog-dogs and people-dogs. Sophie is a people dog... if she walks up to a person walking a dog on teh street, she'll acknowledge the dog, but fawn over the person. Most dogs are dog-dogs. Sophie quite obviously hadn't lived with another dog since littermate days when I adopted her. (She's five years). Just something to think about.

Pamela ~Sophia Abigail's Mom~ Ratbones Rescue Volunteer

Harleylady1339

Obsessed

10/18/2008 8:51 AM
It is easier to train one...when we got Harley my step daughter decided to adopt his brother, but being a teenager she decided it was way to much work to train him so she sort of dropped the ball on us, well, we told her if she can't train him to take him back, which she did, luckily they found him another home...anyways, my personal opinion is one is enough!! Harley is a handfull some days, luckily he plays with his Jack Russell "sister" Rat-Dog...she is 6 years old and he keeps her pretty busy!

Mommy to Harley( Rat Terrier Male) and Rat-Dog( Jack-Russell/ ??? mix female) and grandma to Rocky ( Boxer male) Rest in peace...Mitzi, my first Rat Terrier...long gone but not forgotten...(wish I still had a picture of her...only in my mind now!)

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