There are always deals to be had at the end of each year. Retailers are looking to finish out their year with a profit (which is why it is called Black Friday… meaning they are in the black… rather than a Red Friday, meaning they lost money).
So, here are some ideas
I think that every dog does better with a companion. When dogs get about 3 or 4 years old, they start slowing down because they are adults and often, we aren’t doing activities that keep them going. They get bored and they act old. Bring in a happy, social, compatible, opposite sex dog… and the old dog will act young again and will start playing again.
I’m a big believer in having 2 dogs. It is good for them, and it isn’t that much more to care for two dogs than one. But how do you do it?
First, get your current dog trained. Don’t put two untrained dogs together since that makes your job more than twice the work. Once the basics are in place, and with diligent work from 8 weeks of age to 6 months of age, your dog might be ready for a companion. I don’t recommend getting two puppies at the same time, however. They will often bond to each other, the house training can be very difficult with some breeds, and they just won’t listen to you that well for the rest of their lives.
Second, when you get the new dog, ensure a good introduction. With young puppies, you do it gradually so the dogs like one another. Don’t let the puppy bully the adult and don’t let the adult bully the puppy. Also, from 8 weeks to 16 weeks of age, in an ideal setup, you would keep the puppy separate from the other dog for several hours a day. During that time either the puppy is with you, or the older dog is with you. You want the puppy to become an individual instead of just a pack member, and you want that puppy to bond with you instead of primarily with your older dog. Rotate back and forth throughout the day. It isn’t fun to be playing Musical Chairs like this for a couple of months, but it will pay off in the long run. You still must meet the needs of the young puppy, such as play time, potty breaks, socialization in and outside the home, but you limit the total amount of time the dogs are together up to 4 months of age. After that, all should be good.
If the new dog is older, then introduce them on a walk outside the home and let them warm up to one another before you bring the new dog inside. There is more to it than this, but don’t just put a new dog in the home without a happy introduction. First impressions are often lasting.
Third, when choosing the second dog, I recommend only getting the most bulletproof dog you can find. It should be healthy, playful, similar in activity level to your current dog, very friendly with everyone and every animal, not fearful or anxious, and of the opposite sex. You don’t want a dog that adds to any insecurities your older dog already has. You want the second dog to be signaling safety in all ways, not afraid of much of anything.
Fourth… NOW is a good time to find a second dog. Rescue organizations are full of these bulletproof dogs. You can know, right off the bat, if the new dog is right since the rescue should know a lot about the dog already IF IT HAS BEEN FOSTERED IN A HOME. If you are getting a purebred dog, then you should consult my article at my web page on Buying A Dog/ Choosing A Breeder. You must do some detailed background work and not just believe what some breeder says to you in an ad or over the phone. Some breeders are good and honest, some aren’t. Don’t believe what you want to see. Trust, but verify.
Lastly… now is a good time to shop for dog supplies. Retailers are offering great deals now. If you run a rescue, now is the time to buy some of this stuff in bulk. If you are a pet owner, now is the time to take advantage of these deals while they last. Here is an interesting article on what retailers are planning for the end of 2024…
Plan accordingly…
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