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

allIcouldwishfor

IsoChick wrote: »

This is a very important point!! You are often better off waiting until your current dog is through the puppy/adolescent stage before bringing another pup in! You run the risk of your current dog regressing to puppyhood, which sounds fun, but isn't!

He'll be 4 years old this autumn, but he's a Springer - I don't think they "do" growing up, they just get bigger!!

IsoChick

allIcouldwishfor wrote: »

He'll be 4 years old this autumn, but he's a Springer - I don't think they "do" growing up, they just get bigger!!

You're probably alright then!

We've got Boxers, who don't grow up either! Our 'puppy' is about 20 months old and weighs nearly 6 stone. Technically he is not an adult dog and hasn't stopped growing yet; but still thinks he is the size of a terrier and wants cuddles on your knee!

pulliptears

I had a lovely, quiet, lazy westie called Bob. when he was 4 I fell in love with a scottie. Jack was bought home and immediately ruled the roost. With Bob being such a laid back dog he was happy to let Jack become top dog.

jack can be very protective of Bob, which can be an issue if an off lead dog approaches us while we are walking, but other than that they get on like a house on fire.

I often joke they are like the yin yang symbol when they get into their basket at night because they curl up around eachother just like it!!

thedoghouse

Thought I'd share my experience of going from one to two dogs with you...

Just under a year ago we got our first dog, a 5 year old male rescue greyhound, Max. Through him, I became involved in voluntary work (dog walking etc) with our local greyhound rehoming charity. We hadn't planned on getting another dog, but I just couldn't help falling for one of the dogs that the charity was fostering. It was a bit of an impulse decision, but just before Christmas we adopted this wee 3 year old ex-racer, Molly. We knew in advance that she & Max got on well as I had walked them together on many occasions. I don't think it was the most well thought out decision I've ever made, but I'm so glad we took her on. Having 2 dogs in the house is just wonderful: I love watching how they interact with one another, & Max's personality has really bloomed since getting his new companion.

On a more practical side, there is no extra effort involved in walks - you just need 2 leads instead of one! Insurance-wise, we get a slight discount on the second pet, but not really anything significant: it's basically twice as expensive as insuring one dog. Food-wise, obviously you need to double the amount your spending. We actually shopped around a bit & found a similar but cheaper brand of food which we now feed both our dogs so we didn't end up spending more than we were already. They share toys, so that's no extra expense. I'm not going to lie - we have really noticed an increase in hair & mud etc around the house since getting our second dog. But, it's a price I'm willing to pay!

I wouldn't get another dog if the only reason you're doing it is to keep your existing dog company when you leave it/them. I actually feel more guilty if I have to leave the 2 dogs alone for any period of time, because it feels irresponsible. But, I guess I do feel less bad about putting the 2 of them into kennels together if we go away on holiday, as I know they'll at least have each other. You might also want to sound out how your friends/family feel about adding in another dog. My parents have been very unsupportive & made it clear that my partner & are not welcome at their house if we bring our dogs, as they feel it is too much hassle. On the other hand, my partner's family are just thrilled to have us & the dogs come visit anytime.

Hope my experiences help you in your decision.

Georgie4

I have two dogs and to be honest I can't remember being without the second one ! Yes it is far more expensive especially kennels and things if you go away but they are brilliant company for each other and we had zero problems with them getting on

I would NEVER go back to having one dog:j

hethmar

thedoghouse, we are the same, we sometimes just sit watching the unspoken interaction between our two. Its so funny some times, one with a bone, the other laying upside down on the sofa pretending to be casual but with their eyes constantly on the bone, waiting the chance to pounce. We love them both so much - what could give anyone so much pleasure than wonderful dogs in the house. And of course, it gives the dogs interest, knowing that if you leave that cozy bed, the other one is going to take over - you can almost see them weighing up the decisions, lovely.

thedoghouse

One more thing I thought of since my first post:

May seem obvious, but 2 dogs = twice as much dog poo to pick up!

Sometimes it feels like all I ever do is clean up poo off the garden lawn, & you'd think I had shares in poo bags the rate I go through them!

It's all worth it I reckon, but just another thing to weigh in the balance

bulchy

We have 2 dogs,and I havent regretted getting the 2nd one bit. We got Thunder (weimy) from rescue 4 years ago, he settled in brilliant but I always felt a bit sorry for him out on walks as he seemed so lonely, so decided to get him a playmate/walking companion. We decided as he was from rescue, we better get a pup rather than another adult rescue, incase an adult dog coming into the house upset him in anyway. So we got Belle, an american cocker, we deliberatley chose to geta smaller dog as we wanted Thunder to remain top dog :rotfl: how silly we were. Belle stormed into his life and has taken over completely, while big fella has rolled over and became the henpecked husband :rotfl: honestly hes besotted with her, and has happily allowed her to take over, only she knows not to push him too far, he always gets the best seat in the house eventually :rolleyes:
As has been said before, if you choose the right dog with the right tempremant it can work out wonderfully, it has turned out the reverse in our house, but as long as Thunders happy, then the rest of the family are too
sue

hethmar

This is it - dont think the older more established dog WANTS to be the top dog, it may be their nature to be a follower rather than the leader and if that works out, its great. Big problem is if you get two who want to be the leader.

Re the extra poos - our dogs dont poo that much in the garden - they are out 3 times a day on walks and usually do it then. We buy the big bargain boxes of poo bags from our market.

thriftmonster

Our JRTx was 9 when we got our second dog (but he had been our 2nd dog 5 yrs previously) however our 2nd dog was an 11yo !!!!!. He's top dog in absolutely everything except food - cos he's a picky eater and she's a pig! He lets her have first go at all food - but other than that forget it. See how they interact - our two are great together.

However ds1 would echo the thing about twice as much dog poo - he clears the lawn and has been known to suggest a cork to one or other of the dogs occasionally (as a joke I hasten to add)