How Soon is Too Soon?

[Coopa Cabana]

How soon is too soon to get a new puppy after you've lost a dog? It's not just me that misses the dog I recently lost, it's my other dog as well. They were almost like sisters. Chloe was 2 when I got Sophie, and they took to each other immediately. So Chloe is now 8-1/2. As much as we are together, I can tell she still misses Sophie.
Is is better to wait before getting a new puppy, or jump right back in?

 

[Kevin565]

I think the only one who can truly answer that is you. Your dog may still be mourning the loss of her beloved friend. However, she does still have you. I personally would wait till I was emotionally ready to love another dog. Some people can be ready shortly after and some can take months even years before their ready to try again. If you think you could love another then you should go for it. Also how is your dog's temperament? You stated that she was 8 1/2 so is she still full of life or kind of laid back? I only ask because a lot of people add a puppy to help their dog but it actually seems to make it worse. Puppies often have too much energy for Older Dogs. This can lead to some distress to the elder dog.

 

[chicmom]

I think it's a personal choice. You'll know when you're ready because, you won't even need to ask yourself if it's too soon.

I had to put my little Cosmo down (a pom) a little over a month ago, and I'm not ready. But that's just me.

I do want another small dog, but just not now. I may wait until the springtime, when it's easier to potty train.......I dunno.

I also have another dog, Fionna, and she's an Irish Terrier. Oddly, she doesn't seem to miss him. (Well, truthfully, Cosmo was a rowdy little brat!) haha I miss him. I miss the yapping, I miss his perky, bossy personality....We spoke to eachother often......Sigh.

You will know when it's time for the new dog.......

Take care!

Sharon

 

[MaureenC]

Only you can tell whether you're ready to make a logical decision or not - I wasn't ready & here 's what happened...

I lost my beloved Laika (am eskimo) in sept 2 years ago. I was grieving hard & so depressed - ran out & got another american eskimo way too soon. (dec)

Because my decision was clouded by grief, I overlooked a lot of red flags when choosing him. (met the breeder & the parents were SUPER hyper, yappy - everything I hate about smaller dogs)

Now I love this dog dearly but he is neurotic as can be - ha ha

I know how to choose a dog - have lived with dogs all my life - but I got Bear just because his daddy's bark sounded just like Laika's and it made me cry.

So it's taken me 2 years to potty train this dog, and when he's in the dog run he poops, works it into a paste with his feet, and lays in it. Daily.

No he's not a puppy mill dog, but from the time I brought him home he lacked the instinct to stay out of his poop. Did I mention neurotic?

It has been an uphill battle with a ton of heartache but it's definitely getting better as he matures.

Only get another dog when you KNOW you're ready to make a logical decision.

(and if the puppy poops and lays in it, take it straight back to the breeder IMMEDIATELY - it's NOT normal behavior in a dog. lesson learned)

 

[gritsar]

After we lost my beloved Charlie Girl back in 2009 I swore I would never get another dog. That same week our older GSD Jax fell in our laps, followed fairly quickly by his brother Kane.

I can't imagine life without these two.


Sorry for your loss.

 

[Jamie_Dog_Trainer]

I have personally waited six months in between a dog that passed and getting another puppy, this time (I lost my GSD in April) getting another dog will depend on my finances and live situations.

 

[dainerra]

The only real answer is "when the right one comes along". Sometimes it is immediately, sometimes months.

Sorry for the loss of your baby

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

I think everyone is different. I like getting a new animal right after the other dies. It helps take my sadness off of the one I have lost. My mom and much of her side of the family like to wait a while before getting a new pet.

 

[Hunter0704]

I had a yellow lab for 11 years and when he was 7 yrs old I also got a mini daschund who definitely kept my lab moving around and not getting lazy or fat. They got along so well it was wonderful. When my lab died I was beyond heart broken...I was lost, even though I still had my daschund who I also loved. I decided to get another daschund within a few months of my lab passing...more I told myself for my first daschund than me. It took me a while to really warm up to the new pup and when I realized how unfair I was to him, I started taking more interest and care with him. Soon, he bloomed into a wonderful and loving dog also. Now, after four years, all is well with both my daschunds and me. Don't know what I'd do without either of them. But, still to this day I get teary eyed whenever I see a male yellow lab! Could never go see the movie Marley!

Whenever you are ready, you will get another dog. My lab was the first puppy I ever picked out that wasn't the fiesty one...he was more layed back and I guess because of that, he was the best dog I ever had. Well mannered, smart, loving, calm. I realized sometime later that my first daschund would have been perfectly happy being by himself, since he would get all my attention and not have to share it. On the other hand, he is so spoilt and a momma's boy, the other dog is good for him seeing I love both of them, and not just him.

 

[Sherry]

When I lost my first boxer at 12 1/2 I lasted 10 days before I brought my new boxer puppy home. I then decided she needed a friend so I adopted a refugee from hurricane Katrina. I had him for 2 years and ended up he had a diaphragmatic hernia and died on the operating table.

That time I made it 2 days before bringing home a redbone coonhound.

I guess the right answer is when you're ready, get you a dog!