Want more, is one enough?

Question
Alright, I have several questions that I have casually asked around to family members/friends and have gotten mixed answers.  So I really need your help prior to pursuing our next family member.  I currently have a 1 1/2 year old black lab named Holly, and a 1 year old cat named Daisy.  Not sure if this plays into the whole picture, but I am a stay at home mom with 3 kids ages 7,5,&3. I have had the itch to get another puppy and happened upon this pure beagle at a local farm.  He is really cute and really would like to get him...BUT, I need to know first if this beagle puppy, (10 weeks old when ready to be picked up)would make a good friend for my Lab.  We crate trained Holly, and would like to crate them together, as we still do sometimes crate Holly.  I don't want to hurt her feelings, and I don't want any adverse behavior because of the pup coming into the house.  Holly is overly friendly, loves other dogs, and all people, so I can't see this happening...but you know better than me.  I understand that the beagle will howl, as does Holly in protective mode...but is it possible for Holly to train new pup to be as well beahved, as in show him the ropes?  Thank You for your time, Any and all feedback is greatly apprecciated!!!

Answer
Jill, I'm sorry I didn't see this sooner - I don't get e-mail notifications of things people have written about me, so that's why. I'm not sure why it wouldn't let you click the ask another question button.

I would want to find out who the so-called reputable local breeder of the puppies was, and go and see their facilities and talk to them. I know of no reputable breeder that sends 8 week old puppies to live in an outdoor pen on a farm. That age is a very important imprinting and fear period. What sort of 'educational purposes' were they serving? I'm just curious, that's all, because the situation just sounds odd to me.


"When I googled other questions I had, I did read that they should be left together, as they are both pack animals. Is this wrong?"

I don't understand this part of your follow-up question, Jill. Are you referring to the litter of puppies, or to after you bring one home whether they should be crated together? I still say do not crate the dogs in the same crate, and if the puppies are already 8 weeks old (which you have no way of knowing without talking to the breeder - they should have already been weaned several weeks ago), then you should be able to bring one home now if you want to.


The answer to your last question is no. Dogs do not get 'hurt feelings' if you bring home another dog, and no, Holly isn't 'too old' to introduce a puppy to. It is important, though, that if you bring another dog into the household, that you continue to give Holly the same amount of attention that you did before, to prevent 'jealousy' issues. If you're not familiar with "Nothing in Life is Free (NILIF)", Google it and begin practicing it now. Holly was there first, so SHE should get all the attention, food, etc. first, before the new puppy. If you bring home a new dog and start treating it special, it can cause fights between the 'old' dog and the 'new' one, over pecking order in the pack.