Looking for some thoughts introducing another dog...

[Camo]

So I currently have the best pet ever IMO but she doesn't hunt. I picked her up for that purpose but it didn't work out. Knowing what I know now I might have been able to fix that but that is a whole nother story. Going through with-drawls the last few years, I am seriously considering a new pup to train and hunt. My wife is willing to accept another dog but not at the risk that it is going to change the personality of my current dog who is basically a single child and has the run of the house, bed, and even couch on 4th of July when she gets scared. My current pet loves to retrieve anything anytime, to the extent that I religiously throw down the hall in the house for her. I know that this stuff is going to have to change with another member. What experiences have you guys had, with a devoted, but stay at home dog versus a hunting companion as it relates to home life?

[mburrows]

Going to have to get the old dog used to the fact that its not just her castle anymore.  I would be careful with a new pup too if your old dog is scared around fireworks, etc.  They pick up on subtleties, IE if they see a dog scarred of something but aren't sure why they will react similarly assuming the other one has good reason to be freaking out.    I have two labs, both of whom hunt with me but I train them individually.  You can treat the older dog as the alpha but dont let it bully the younger one around and let it become timid.  Put in equal time with them and make sure the one you want to hunt clearly knows the difference between working and playing.

[YellowDog]

Camo,
I have a 9 year old female yellow lab right now.  My yellow girl sounds very much like your current dog.  She is a house dog through and through due to her blowing the cruciate legimates in both back legs and me spoiling her.   (yeah I admit it I spoil/ed her) I am getting a black lab male from Longhollow Retreivers 2 weeks from now.  I put a lot of thought into this before putting my deposit on the pup.  My plan is to continue to treat my yellow the same as she has been treated for years while knowing that she is just going to get a little bit less attention/time from me due to the demands of a new pup.  The new pup I intend to go a slightly different route and not "spoil" him but still spend a good deal of one on one time with him training, doing separate walks, drills, etc. and allowing them to work out the rest.  My yellow is fairly submissive to other dogs and loves all living things so I am not worried much about any agression.  She will put the pup in his place when he gets out of line I am sure but I don't expect much in the way of problems.  I fully expect them to be great pals after a breif adjustment period.  At least that is my hope.   

[Camo]

Thanks for the thoughts guys.
Mburrows, I am very concerned about the pup picking up a couple of bad habits from the elder dog, not sure how I or if I am going to be able to address that yet. Wife won't allow me to treat them differently in the house. Regarding the 4th at least Ive got some time to figure it out.

YD, I hope it's as smooth as you make it sound. My elder is a choc. lab and I am planning to pick up a female GWP.
I think the two are going to get along well. My lab at 8 YO has the mindset of a 2YO, but is very possessive of her toys and such as she has been extremely spoiled, but she is great entertainment.

[vandeman17]

So I currently have the best pet ever IMO but she doesn't hunt. I picked her up for that purpose but it didn't work out. Knowing what I know now I might have been able to fix that but that is a whole nother story. Going through with-drawls the last few years, I am seriously considering a new pup to train and hunt. My wife is willing to accept another dog but not at the risk that it is going to change the personality of my current dog who is basically a single child and has the run of the house, bed, and even couch on 4th of July when she gets scared. My current pet loves to retrieve anything anytime, to the extent that I religiously throw down the hall in the house for her. I know that this stuff is going to have to change with another member. What experiences have you guys had, with a devoted, but stay at home dog versus a hunting companion as it relates to home life?

I am going through the same thing as we speak. I have a 3 and a half year old lab that didn't turn out to be the hunter that we were hoping for. This past Christmas I bought my girlfriend a new pup in hopes that she would be the hunter that I want and need. The first few weeks were a little tough because our older dog didn't know how to handle this little ankle biter in her house. Now they are best friends and love to run around and play in the back yard. It is actually nice because we always felt bad if we didn't have time to play with the older dog after work but now she always has a buddy around. The downsides are there as far as twice the food, twice the land mines in the yard and a little less attention but overall we are happy with the decision. 

[Stilly bay]

You might find that nothing really changes except more dog crap in the yard and more shed hair on floor. Things might even get more manageable for you since IMO its better to have two dogs than one since they are pack animals and many separation anxiety issues come from dogs being all alone when you go to work.

[vandeman17]

I agree with Stilly. We have noticed that our older dog seems to be happier and healthier with the new pup because she is more active for a longer period and she at least always has someone around during the day while we are gone.

[mburrows]

Yeah, completely understand Camo.  Just dont spoil your pup (easier said than done) and introduce it to guns asap.  I was worried about fireworks with my dogs for a while.  I started out with party poppers to be honest. Pop one of those things then throw a bummer or ball, I slowly worked my way up to cap gun (.22 cal) and then shotguns at a distance an worked my way in.  I'm no where near an expert but my dogs dont mind fireworks or thunder and they get excited when they hear a gun because they've learned to associate that with something falling from the sky for them to chase.  I bet if you get that second pup, it and your older girl will be running mates in no time.

Good luck.

[Camo]

Thanks for everyone's comments. Here's to hoping I made the right decision...

[Sportfury]

Camo you can't go wrong with a wirehair. My suggestion is to take the older dog to someplace that is different than home. Introduce the pup to him or her there. The older dog will not be protecting its turf at this time. Let them associate for a while and then take them both home together. There still will be some growling as the older dog asserts their position. Just remember this is normal. Don't reprimand the older dog as this makes them look less dominant and can cause issues later on. Check out the book "The Art of Raising a Puppy" by the Monks of New Skete. Lots of good information on dog behavior.

[Goldeneye]

Camo,

  It'll be fine.  When I introduced a new pup it took my older dog just a few days to adjust to a puppy in the house and share everything.  This was a couple years ago.  They are inseparable now and a great team when I am hunting.  Here's a pic from shortly after the pup came home.  I think they were getting along

[SnowDog]

I agree with Stilly. We have noticed that our older dog seems to be happier and healthier with the new pup because she is more active for a longer period and she at least always has someone around during the day while we are gone.

100% agree. Our 4 y/o and our new pup are best buds and you can tell it has really cheered up the older dog. I never realized how much of a positive impact it would have on the older dog. I'll never own just one dog again.

[bracer40]

Camo,

  It'll be fine.  When I introduced a new pup it took my older dog just a few days to adjust to a puppy in the house and share everything.  This was a couple years ago.  They are inseparable now and a great team when I am hunting.  Here's a pic from shortly after the pup came home.  I think they were getting along

Love that scene!

[AspenBud]

Introducing a new pup upsets the pack hierarchy in the house.

With the exception of the youngest, all of my dogs have taken a year or two to settle into the new order of things when a pup comes in. I don't know if it's a Pointer thing or what but that is how it has been for me. My oldest dog gave both of my other two a good nipping and shaking within the first few days and put the fear of God into them for the year after. My middle dog was a little more mellow and is actually best buddies with my youngest, but even he flipped her over a couple of times in the beginning.

My strongest advice is to keep them separated at feeding time. From experience things can go from zero to very bad if one dog decides he is head of the pack and feels the need to assert that. Feed them in their crates, you'll do the pup and yourself a favor.

(Yes, they all get along fine now)