2 dogs of the same size, age, and breed

[Shima]

My wife and I are thinking of taking in a second 8 month old lab female. Does anyone have any suggestions on raising 2 of the same age, same sex, and same breed puppy? Our thought is that they will always have another pup to play with. The best chew toy for a lab is another lab, or so they say. Do you crate them in the same crate or side by side so they can see each other or side by side isolated from seeing each other by a blanket or something while we're at work during the day and at night when it's time to sleep? Alot of questions in my mind. Thanks as always for your opinions. Brian

[PaiMei]

I don't have labs...but Dachshunds. Yes I crated mine together for the first 30 days. They were potty trained within a week max. You'll feel horrible with them crying at night crated...but resist the temptation to put them in bed until they are well potty trained. Once they were well trained they graduated to my bed....spoiled rotten but they are my kids to me. Whoever becomes my wife someday will have to accept that:) With you having two they will not be as bored when you are away from the house.

[creeky]

I had two Black labs a long time ago. They were brothers.

Starsky and Hutch.

But I also had a Shepard/hound that was older. They all got along

great. They would always play together. When Starsky died, Hutch

morned for a while, but the older dog seemed to mourn longer.

I think he considered him a "son". Don't know if that helps or

not. But it was nice to think about them again.

[dariks]

I have a 3 year old lab and as soon as I can talk the wife into it (and I get a fence) I'll have another.

[Guest canynracer]

Crate them in the same room, but maybe not "next" to eachother if possible. They will get used to being crated while you are at work. if you go on a nice long walk, or some serious backyard playing, before bed, so they can get the energy out, they will sleep.

I got my dogs a "Kong" each, fill it with the "doggie peanut butter" and put it in their kennel before you leave for work, that will keep them occupied long enough to calm down after you leave. Works like a charm.

congrats, and enjoy!!

[Guest rj8806]

While I don't have 2 of the same kind, I do have 4 dogs(and 3 cats). I have a lab/retriever mix that is 10 years old, a doberman that is now 7 months old and just 3 weeks ago, took in 2 maltese/dachsund mix's females from the same litter.

I agree with everyone else who says to crate them until they are potty trained and I crate the 2 maltese mix's together. They had a rough start to life and all they have is each other so I couldn't bear to seperate them.

All of my dogs are females and my dobie has taken to the little pups like a mother. She doesn't nurse them obviously, but she is very protective of them.

I applaud you for taking them in and hope you take very good care of them.

Richard