Advice on second labrador

Heres Johnny

Have a labrador, great dog now 5 years old. Couldn't ask for a better dog really, everyone that meets her falls in love straight away.
She goes to my mother's house every day and has been for most of her life really. She is walked every morning before going up and every evening too, bar the odd time the weather has been abysmal. Now, my mother is getting old and giving out a bit about it, even though she's the one who insists on it and not to leave a dog at home during the day while we are at work. I think it's unfair on my mother too, but she has the idea in her head dogs are terrified to be on their own with separation anxiety etc, which I will admit I believe to a certain extent.

Now, my plan is to get a second labrador, probably a pup and leave them together. I only work 10 mins away and can pop home for lunch no problem and be there for an hour. Any advice on how to go about this?
Have most of my annual leave left to take between November and December so can be there for 2 weeks to help train the pup and socialise them both. Then 2 weeks or the best part of it at Christmas.

Any tips, opinions or comments on 2 dogs?
The current dog is very sweet, not territorial or anything and gets on well with other dogs and I think she will be a really positive influence. Happy to stay labrador too, most common dog in the world and for pretty good reason and in my experience obedient, eager to please and easy to train.

NSAman

Do it.

Same situation, one passed away and we got a second. They are inseparable. They play all day together and literally enjoy each other’s company.

A few teething issues were that the new pup was very independent at first, was taught the rules by older dog quickly.

These two are amazing, like you everyone falls in love with them immediately. They are so well behaved and so easy to look after. They go everywhere with me, to work, shopping (apart from very hot days) and welcome attention from people. Never once have they been an issue... (apart from Jnr. Roaming one day after a dog in heat...my absent-mindedness )

tk123

At 5 a pup will probably drive her mad for a good while and probably won’t make any difference with anxiety - the pup could be anxious and you could have double trouble. Not to mention you’re talking about getting a pup between now and Christmas and there’s only one type of breeder that has pups available at short notice...

Heres Johnny

tk123 wrote: »

At 5 a pup will probably drive her mad for a good while and probably won’t make any difference with anxiety - the pup could be anxious and you could have double trouble. Not to mention you’re talking about getting a pup between now and Christmas and there’s only one type of breeder that has pups available at short notice...

Sorry, didn't mean my dog has anxiety, just that dogs in general can be. Mother watched a show about it one time where they left cameras in houses to show separation anxiety. Don't think my dog is on the higher end for this at all, just sociable and prefers company. Like most of them really. For what it's worth my lab came from an unwanted litter 5 years ago... Guy I knew had the mother and a male dog roamed and made her pregnant. Both labs though so she is a full lab and has all the positive traits of one.
I think when I bring my own dog to any breeder to show how well she is looked after and developed they will see its not a Christmas fad, no kids in our house just 2 adults.

sillysmiles

Would you talk to a rescue about a pup/older pup and then your dog could meet the potential pup first?

Heres Johnny

sillysmiles wrote: »

Would you talk to a rescue about a pup/older pup and then your dog could meet the potential pup first?

Yeah I would. And very well might. Any opinions on male/female combination? Always had female dogs throughout the years for some reason.
Current female lab is spayed and potential second dog will be spayed / neutered too

sillysmiles

Personally I would mix and get a younger male dog if you have a resident female dog - but I guess it depends on the resident female's nature and disposition to other dogs.

Heres Johnny

sillysmiles wrote: »

Personally I would mix and get a younger male dog if you have a resident female dog - but I guess it depends on the resident female's nature and disposition to other dogs.

She's fine..... Totally prefers human company over dog company but no problems with her and other dogs to date. Shares houses with other dogs all the time and isn't territorial or anything. Spends more time looking to beg from humans for food to be honest

DBB

Statistically, two females together in a 2 dog household is a considerably riskier combination than a male/female combination.
Spending time with other dogs can give you an indication of how things can go with your own dog, but it's not a guarantee.
Furthermore, whilst your dog might be sociable with all other dogs, it is very unlikely you'll be in a position to know the same about a new female dog coming into the house. From experience, getting the new female as a puppy gives absolutely no guarantee that things will be okay. I have seen many, many canine female:female relationships seem fine for a while, but fall apart when the younger one becomes sexually and socially mature: neutering does not tend to remedy it.
The problem is that if the relationship does break down between females, it tends to be a catastrophic falling out.
Whilst I've seen many, many canine female:female relationships break down irreparably, it's quite rare (a) for a canine male:female relationship to break down at all, and (b) if it does, it's often salvageable. When 2 females fall out, usually the only really workable solution is to keep them permanently separated, whether by rearranging their living quarters so that they never share space, or rehoming one of them.
In short op, if things go wrong between females, and they're statistically more likely to, then you've a major problem on your hands. I've said it before, and I'll say it again... they don't call 'em bitches for nothin' : o