First off, your bearded dragon doesn't need anybody to keep him company while you and your wife are away. Bearded dragons are mostly solitary and can be quite happy without company of any kind. Thus, it is not necessary to buy a friend.
The reason why babys get toes and tail tips nipped is because other dragons in their cage mistake their toes or tail tips for food and make a go for it. Generally they attack anything that moves hence a twitching tail tip looks like food. Also, if they are extra hungry because of not being feed enough (2-3 meals a day for young babies) they are always hunting for food.
The way to prevent this is to make sure you feed your baby dragons as much as they can eat in 10-15 minutes 2- 3 times a day and having calcium rich greens available at all times (finelly chopped for babies).
One last point, bearded dragons under the age of 6 months can't be accurately sexed. Even if you get another bearded dragon to live with your current one, if they are under 6 months they may not be female at all but either both males or a male and female which can lead to troubles later on. For the most part, if you have multiple dragons together at a young age, there is a good chance you will have to separate them within 6 months anyway because of the incorrect sexes being together. They also may not get along anymore by then and fight.
-----
PHLdyPayne
