What's it like going from one dog to two?

Barneysmom

IsoChick wrote: »

We've got 2 Boxers (both castrated males). Max was 18 months old when we got Murphy.

It was hard work when Murphy was little, as he couldn't go on the same walks as Max, couldn't be trusted in the same way as Max could; and the whole toilet training thing as well.

However, Murphy was much easier to train, as he started copying Max from the start. We already had a set of commands and hand signals, and he picked up on them from the word go. His toilet training was much shorter than Max's, as he just copied his big brother in the garden.

Once Murphy could go for walks, it was better, and as he has got older, he can keep up with us and I don't need to worry about his joints anymore.

I buy food in bulk anyway (50kg at a time) and also treats and stuff are bought in bulk (e.g. whole boxes of pigs ears or dentasticks etc). Both can be walked on a lead at the same time, despite there being 10 stone of dog altogether; and I love to watch them playing together.

The only drawback is that there is less sofa for me...

OMG!!! :T What a lovely picture. Happy families :cool:

orlao

I always found going from one to two easy - if you don't include the money side of it - as long as you chose the 2nd dog well.
You do have to allow extra time for each dog individually, especially for training the 2nd dog.

There has always been at least 5 years between pups as it takes me at least that long to forget how much hard work they are:D

moomin5

I have 2 dogs but got them both at the same time so have never had just the 1 to compare. They are litter brothers and were 2yrs (& neutered) when we adopted them.

I find its pretty easy as they will play with each other and i walk them together, Its not really much more effort to do 2 than 1. They're greyhounds so a laidback breed anyway. Cost wise its obviously cheaper to have just the one but for me i like them to have the company, enjoy seeing them interact and their different personalities.

It would probably be easier to get an adult rescue as you can see how they get on easier and would be less work for you than a pup. There are lots of dogs in rescues at the moment due to the recession and many will have come from good homes. My local greyhound group has had more returns than usual since the end of last year, but thankfully many people are happy to take them on as they can slot into the household much easier.

fattybooboo

Hi, we have got 2 dogs. We got our girl pup at 8 weeks once our older dog was about 2 years old. Our older dog had just calmed down and grown up (a bit!!) when we got pup and it soon reminded me of all the things I had quickly forgotten, the chewing for example, lol!!

He loved her and we didnt have any problems with him accepting her into the family. Mind you he is a big softie As others have said, it is hard work but I wouldnt change a thing. x

mcchell

We are getting our third on thursday!

allIcouldwishfor

Thanks for all the replies, very interesting reading. I'll update the thread if we go ahead, although I might just borrow one for a week first to see how it goes!!

POSSETTE

hi..i had 1 cavalier for a while,then we got him a brother to play with,1 year difference,its great!
Smudge the second boy hardly needed training as he followed Sam about and copied him.We didnt notice much difference between 1 or 2 at all,honestly..BUT...dont go to 3!
We then got Sweep,another cav, who is an absolute angel lay next to me snoring now, they all got on great,but it was just the handling of 3 on a walk,as they pulled on lead,ran in different directions on field and going away in our touring caravan was hectic!
Smudge died 2 years ago,and we said never go to 3 again......so could someone tell me how Stitch appeared in our house?;) Yet another cav,..yes back to 3:eek: But Stitch is VERY lively and poor 12yr old Sam couldnt hack it...so my mum/dad [STRIKE]stole him[/STRIKE] sorry gave him a retirement home where he is only boy and spoilt rotten,with his own single (human) bed and a chair in conservatory to lounge in.

to recap..1 up to 2 =no difference
2 up to 3 = madness chaos triple love and poo picking up!!:rotfl:

POSSETTE

YorkiePud wrote: »

This is the first time I have only ever had one dog .... and to be honest, I think having two dogs together is the way to go IF finances and your time allows.

Totally valid point about one dog having been with you first perhaps resenting the other, but if you spoil them equally and treat them equally (ie both foodbowls being put down at the same time) then I haven't had any problems.
!

..yes agree with spoil them equally,BUT you should always have a Top dog,the more dominant,usually older dog, and you should reinforce this by giving Top dog his dinner bowl first then few seconds later the other dog.They would feed like that if in wild. Same with putting leads onTD first.Our TD gets his biscuit first when they are sat down too. Each one knows his place and they get on fine now.Its actually our youngest who is TD now,my [STRIKE]baby[/STRIKE]sorry,older boy is just too wimpy to fight!:rolleyes:

hethmar

Top dog may not always be the older established one - he may choose to be a follower rather than a leader. Its getting the balance that is important.

We had our boy from 6 weeks - he was due to be pts as he was disabled at birth. As he grew out of puppyhood other dogs started picking on him because they realised he was not 100%. He in turn became nervous aggressive - the best form of defence and all that. After a couple of years we got our darling rescue Border terrier. He is totally laid back, doesnt blink if a car back fires next to him, wonderful temperament. He is naturally submissive to our first dog but they are great companions. He will give way to the other dog in choice of bedding and food but isnt at all nervous of him, just respectful. In turn, this has given the disabled boy a real boost of confidence and now he doesnt growl or get aggressive when he is out because he is no longer so nervy.

Its worked brilliantly for us but we have usually had 2 or 3 dogs together all our lives.

It would be a nightmare with the wrong choice of companion. Thats why it takes a lot of thought and the right way of introducing them together.

kr15snw

Is it bad that our top 'dog' is the cat? Lol

We got 2 springer puppies together (yes we are insane) but it was wonderful, they have the most amazing bond and they will never be lonely.

We got the cat about a year ago, when the doggies were about 5 years old. Even as a kitten she ruled the house!!