Tough decision.
I didn’t plan on having a 6 month old join us when Peanut was a year old the following day. I was cornered, the owner didn’t want the pup back and I didn’t trust sending her back.
The barking is not twice as bad it’s worse. Peanut rarely barked but now it’s like a competition of who barks first, the other joins in and i need to get them both in or quiet very quickly - it’s stressful. It’s improving with work but progress is slow.
I’m lucky that both pups are easy, so far I will add, it’s not been 3 months yet. We’ve had one spat, I separated them within two seconds, no injuries, but I do not trust them to leave them together alone. So that needs managing and is restrictive.
The other big thing that you’ve touched on is your bond with your dog, I struggle with this, probably more than Peanut does, I hope. I spend time with Peanut on our own to try and compensate but it’s not the two of us anymore and if I’m honest I miss that.
Training is impossible together. As a result the younger one is way behind Peanut was at the same age.
Walking together can be hard going. I’m lucky that neither pull on the lead but they would if I took my eye off the ball. I often take them out separately!
Feeding needs supervision - Peanut has turned from a picky/fussy/slow eater into she’ll wolf both bowels.
Copying - hmm. The pup brings branches, stones, my bamboo fencing into the house. Now Peanut does too.
They do get on well, they are beautiful together, I love them both and things will settle but it’s not easy and I would not have managed without help from my wife, we share two houses and have an 11 year old cocker girl, neither of us are ever without at least 1 dog. The 11 year old doesn’t bother with either pup, she’s very laid back.
I knew the temperament of the new pup for 3 weeks, she lived with us so I had half an idea of what permanent would be like.
Of course it’s different for everybody but I don’t think it’s worth the risk on the bond you have already. Think about it like having newborn twins as that is what it has felt like on occasion!
John.