Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:and more... When young and far more active with kids etc we had american field lab and that mixed with english labs. Now as an older person English lab is better for me but would certainly be fine for your children which is what you should be thinking about.

not to hijack, I'm not op, but that sounds like good advice for me. We have a lab/retriever mix and had another previously. We love them so much, but maybe an English Lab would be easier to keep up with as we're slowing down, lol, arthritis aches and all!

It's a myth that there a distinct difference between the two lines, unless the breeder was meticulous for generations about only breeding one type. That's almost impossible to maintain since the two lines are genetically the same. In reality, dogs who are a little taller are now called "American field labs" and the short, stocky ones are called "English labs." It's all marketing. My tall "American field lab" came from one of the so-called "laziest litters" our breeder has had. He's not actually lazy, but was never crazy hyper like some dogs.

So I've read here and in another thread how I am just going to allow these dogs to run on my acreage with no socialization or attention and abandon them to be homeless within a year.

Not remotely true. My family would never and has never abandoned or abused an animal. Just because I personally have never had a dog does not mean no one in my household has. I have a big family who are excited for these two new members to come home.

And that I am taking no ones advice. I have from those who answered my questions. Everything else is covered. Vet, trainer and breeder all have no issue with this situation or find it unusual.

Thank you again to everyone who offered advice.

I haven't read the whole thread - Is this a done deal OP. I am the German Shepherd Breeder/Trainer and long time owner from the other thread. If you are a first time dog owner, two 16 week old puppies is a lot to take on, regardless of breed. At 16 weeks you are well past that critical imprinting period. Anything negative that has happened during 8-12 weeks (depending on breed) can stay with a dog forever. I hope you are 100% sure those dogs are getting a lot of socialization and training. Mostly socialization. The fear and anxiety response is really, really important.

I don't know a lot about Dalmatians. Maybe a Dalmatian owner or a breeder can give you more specific information. Are they from the same litter? Adopting two from the same litter is not a good idea. Breeders I know will not sell them that way.

If this is not already set-in-stone, I would reconsider. One puppy is a lot. Two puppies will be a real challenge.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any serious breeder or trainer would recommend against getting 2 puppies at once. Training 2 is tough and not very productive. What if both have medical problems? And I agree, something is off releasing puppies at 16 weeks.

This is a serious breeder. They do show dogs, they've had multiple champions. They had no issue with us wanting two dogs after we were screened. There is a health guarantee. These dogs come with some training. As I said, several of the dogs we looked at came older. So I'm not sure its "off" or unusual.

I know DCUM can be really persnickety at times but there sure are some feisty responses to such a simple "What do I need/might I have forgotten for these puppies?" thread.

OP I'm the standard poodle poster from earlier. I think people are reacting in this way because you sound unprepared--not just in terms of what toys you have (obviously that's easy to fix) but in terms of expectations. I don't mean that harshly because I think it's pretty common. I will tell you that we recently adopted a puppy and it's HARD. We are first-time dog owners, we read an awful lot and spoke to many people over months before getting the dog, and it was still a huge adjustment. And we lucked out with an exceptionally easy, relatively low-energy pup.

I know you may feel defensive because of the posts you're seeing, but please know they are coming from experienced dog owners who don't want you to take on more than most people, especially dog novices, can handle. Once the puppies are home it's really hard to turn back. I am not saying don't adopt them, but people here know what they are talking about and it may be worth considering the points being made, and at the very least lining up a lot of help (trainer at your house, dog walker/sitter, etc) in advance.

Yes, this!

YUP These are high energy jobs and I would not take even one unless I wasn't working and could devote a lot of time to training. You want to get one trained and them maybe add a second younger dog later.

Our breeder, trainer and Vet strongly advise everyone to wait until your first dog is at least 2, before you consider getting a second. Maybe for some breeds you can do it closer together but not Dalmations. It isn't the same as having twin babies! Good luck OPl. Please post back in 6 months.

Can you explain why you are getting two puppies at the same time? I've never heard of anyone (by which I mean normal dog owners) doing that. It just adds a whole other layer of complexity that you don't need. Instead of focusing on training your dog and teaching it its place in your home, you might have to constantly referee fights between the two dogs for dominance, fighting, just pain in the ass stuff, etc etc.

My sweet, lovable, trainable, eager to please English lab was my first dog. She is the best dog but damn, that first puppy year was exhausting.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any serious breeder or trainer would recommend against getting 2 puppies at once. Training 2 is tough and not very productive. What if both have medical problems? And I agree, something is off releasing puppies at 16 weeks.

This is a serious breeder. They do show dogs, they've had multiple champions. They had no issue with us wanting two dogs after we were screened. There is a health guarantee. These dogs come with some training. As I said, several of the dogs we looked at came older. So I'm not sure its "off" or unusual.

I know DCUM can be really persnickety at times but there sure are some feisty responses to such a simple "What do I need/might I have forgotten for these puppies?" thread.

OP I'm the standard poodle poster from earlier. I think people are reacting in this way because you sound unprepared--not just in terms of what toys you have (obviously that's easy to fix) but in terms of expectations. I don't mean that harshly because I think it's pretty common. I will tell you that we recently adopted a puppy and it's HARD. We are first-time dog owners, we read an awful lot and spoke to many people over months before getting the dog, and it was still a huge adjustment. And we lucked out with an exceptionally easy, relatively low-energy pup.

I know you may feel defensive because of the posts you're seeing, but please know they are coming from experienced dog owners who don't want you to take on more than most people, especially dog novices, can handle. Once the puppies are home it's really hard to turn back. I am not saying don't adopt them, but people here know what they are talking about and it may be worth considering the points being made, and at the very least lining up a lot of help (trainer at your house, dog walker/sitter, etc) in advance.

Yes, this!

In addition to all these good points, dalmatians are known as particularly tough dogs. They are extremely high energy and extremely intelligent. That can mean tough training for a novice. Your posts seem as if you are not acknowledging some very obvious and common realities. I am not persnickety over the age or number, but after reading your posts I am concerned that you don't realize what you're in for. It is a LOT.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any serious breeder or trainer would recommend against getting 2 puppies at once. Training 2 is tough and not very productive. What if both have medical problems? And I agree, something is off releasing puppies at 16 weeks.

This is a serious breeder. They do show dogs, they've had multiple champions. They had no issue with us wanting two dogs after we were screened. There is a health guarantee. These dogs come with some training. As I said, several of the dogs we looked at came older. So I'm not sure its "off" or unusual.

I know DCUM can be really persnickety at times but there sure are some feisty responses to such a simple "What do I need/might I have forgotten for these puppies?" thread.

I posted before and the 16 week thing is very unusual. Most pups get adopted at 8-10 weeks and good breeders require you to fly with the dog not ship it if you live far away. Even more unusual would be if the boys were fixed. We've gotten dogs from people who have shown at Westminster or co-owned, co-bred.

I think the breeder is growing them out to pick one for himself. He is not doing you any favors. In fact, you will miss on important developmental milestones. I still do not understand why your pups will be spayed and neutered at such young age. Also, ask to see eye and displaysia test results for both parents.

and the bottom line as to why you're getting these responses from people experienced with large dogs and breeders is that some things just don't add up.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any serious breeder or trainer would recommend against getting 2 puppies at once. Training 2 is tough and not very productive. What if both have medical problems? And I agree, something is off releasing puppies at 16 weeks.

This is a serious breeder. They do show dogs, they've had multiple champions. They had no issue with us wanting two dogs after we were screened. There is a health guarantee. These dogs come with some training. As I said, several of the dogs we looked at came older. So I'm not sure its "off" or unusual.

I know DCUM can be really persnickety at times but there sure are some feisty responses to such a simple "What do I need/might I have forgotten for these puppies?" thread.

I posted before and the 16 week thing is very unusual. Most pups get adopted at 8-10 weeks and good breeders require you to fly with the dog not ship it if you live far away. Even more unusual would be if the boys were fixed. We've gotten dogs from people who have shown at Westminster or co-owned, co-bred.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any serious breeder or trainer would recommend against getting 2 puppies at once. Training 2 is tough and not very productive. What if both have medical problems? And I agree, something is off releasing puppies at 16 weeks.

This is a serious breeder. They do show dogs, they've had multiple champions. They had no issue with us wanting two dogs after we were screened. There is a health guarantee. These dogs come with some training. As I said, several of the dogs we looked at came older. So I'm not sure its "off" or unusual.

I know DCUM can be really persnickety at times but there sure are some feisty responses to such a simple "What do I need/might I have forgotten for these puppies?" thread.

OP I'm the standard poodle poster from earlier. I think people are reacting in this way because you sound unprepared--not just in terms of what toys you have (obviously that's easy to fix) but in terms of expectations. I don't mean that harshly because I think it's pretty common. I will tell you that we recently adopted a puppy and it's HARD. We are first-time dog owners, we read an awful lot and spoke to many people over months before getting the dog, and it was still a huge adjustment. And we lucked out with an exceptionally easy, relatively low-energy pup.

I know you may feel defensive because of the posts you're seeing, but please know they are coming from experienced dog owners who don't want you to take on more than most people, especially dog novices, can handle. Once the puppies are home it's really hard to turn back. I am not saying don't adopt them, but people here know what they are talking about and it may be worth considering the points being made, and at the very least lining up a lot of help (trainer at your house, dog walker/sitter, etc) in advance.

Yes, this!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any serious breeder or trainer would recommend against getting 2 puppies at once. Training 2 is tough and not very productive. What if both have medical problems? And I agree, something is off releasing puppies at 16 weeks.

This is a serious breeder. They do show dogs, they've had multiple champions. They had no issue with us wanting two dogs after we were screened. There is a health guarantee. These dogs come with some training. As I said, several of the dogs we looked at came older. So I'm not sure its "off" or unusual.

I know DCUM can be really persnickety at times but there sure are some feisty responses to such a simple "What do I need/might I have forgotten for these puppies?" thread.

OP I'm the standard poodle poster from earlier. I think people are reacting in this way because you sound unprepared--not just in terms of what toys you have (obviously that's easy to fix) but in terms of expectations. I don't mean that harshly because I think it's pretty common. I will tell you that we recently adopted a puppy and it's HARD. We are first-time dog owners, we read an awful lot and spoke to many people over months before getting the dog, and it was still a huge adjustment. And we lucked out with an exceptionally easy, relatively low-energy pup.

I know you may feel defensive because of the posts you're seeing, but please know they are coming from experienced dog owners who don't want you to take on more than most people, especially dog novices, can handle. Once the puppies are home it's really hard to turn back. I am not saying don't adopt them, but people here know what they are talking about and it may be worth considering the points being made, and at the very least lining up a lot of help (trainer at your house, dog walker/sitter, etc) in advance.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any serious breeder or trainer would recommend against getting 2 puppies at once. Training 2 is tough and not very productive. What if both have medical problems? And I agree, something is off releasing puppies at 16 weeks.

This is a serious breeder. They do show dogs, they've had multiple champions. They had no issue with us wanting two dogs after we were screened. There is a health guarantee. These dogs come with some training. As I said, several of the dogs we looked at came older. So I'm not sure its "off" or unusual.

I know DCUM can be really persnickety at times but there sure are some feisty responses to such a simple "What do I need/might I have forgotten for these puppies?" thread.

But they have both the mother and the father on the premises? Is the father a stud from another breeder that is staying there for awhile? It is somewhat unusual for show breeders to breed two dogs they own. I have had several purebred "show rejects" in my lifetime but none of those litters ever had both parents on the premises, however it's my understanding that occasionally a stud might stay with another breeder for an extended time.

Unfortunately coming with some training isn't going to mean a lot. Training particularly at this age tends to be pretty specific to the dog's routine and environment. They likely will not be house trained at your house even if they're completely house trained (for a time appropriate to their bladder development) wherever they live now. As far as other training, forget about it. That's not insurmountable, but I just want you to be prepared. Whatever training they have will need to be re-established with you, your house, your routine and then continued consistently in order to keep the skills up.

Frankly I would never consider what you're attempting. I think you're potentially making a huge mistake. But if you're set on doing this, then definitely find a good trainer in the area and make the first appointment for the day you bring the puppies home. Have the trainer meet you at your house. You'll probably want 3-4 sessions after that. Find someone who uses positive training methods.

Anonymous wrote:I would not take in two puppies from the same litter, it's a recipe for disaster. Google littermate syndrome, it sucks.

+ 1

DO NOT get two puppies. Pick one. Follow this advice and you will survive.

Sit, stay, and no jumping from first day. Stop jumping by covering front paws with your own foot (no weight). This works! Dalmatians are smart and can be trained quite easily if you make your expectations clear from day one.