Second Dog?

needing-help

I'm hoping all you knowledgeable people can help me. I have an almost 3 year old (large) mutt and have been thinking about getting a second dog.

For those of you who have 2 dogs how much harder is it? I am aware of the financial side of it and will be sorting insurance etc but am I just off my rocker for thinking about another one?

We live very close to an amazing open space and walk the dog about 3miles a day and I'm around most of the time.
I don't really want a puppy though, I'm too lazy:o:rotfl:

Thanks

Caroline_a

I got a second dog a couple of months ago, and yes, I got a pup. They have a great time together, the older one chastises the pup, and the pup plays with the older one. The older one (2 and a half yrs old) has calmed down so much, really 'responsible'.

It's a great idea - dogs are pack animals!

Lirin

I have two- got the Rough Collie when the Lab was 1.5 years old.

Insurance etc- can't comment as that's done in family with us (plenty of vets). Depends on their personalities- our two get on very well now- they'll lie dozing together and occasionally eat from the same bowl- but initially there was a few bustups. He's a little nippier than she is, and she's a little grumpier- so did have to separate them a couple of times.
The hardest part now would be the little flares of jealousy- if I pay attention to one, the other has to get some as well.... They are well worth it, good company for eachother when we're not there, and the two very different personalities make for intersting times.

As long as they get on, I can't see you'd have a problem.

kathy206

We got our lab puppy (6 months old) when Milo was 3 -after a few bust ups they get on fine. Food wise- they eat the same, it's another tenner a month for insurance with More than. Milo is a neutered male so we thought it better to get a female. She's a bit bouncy and chewy when left so we now have to confine them to the dining room otherwise they are fine and she's settled in brilliantly. I would say it depends on the personality and breed of the dog you already have- our boy is so soft and daft and gets on with any other dogs. HTH and good luck:)

Barneysmom

We've got 2 dogs and it's much better.
They are company for each other and are very close.
Obviously it costs more but it's worth every penny.

We used to get our insurance from PDSA but when they wanted £40 per dog per month we cancelled and have gone to Tesco where it's half the price.

Tropez

It really isn't that much extra work taking on another dog - I have four now (plus my partner's two but they're only here in the evenings) and once the dogs are settled with each other then really there's no problems.

You just have to take the time to ensure that before the newcomer enters the house that the original dog(s) are already aquainted with it, friendly towards it, used to having it around etc. and then keep an eye on the dogs for the first few weeks to make sure that everyone is happy with the arrangement and that any play they do, which will often include a bit of play fighting, is kept safe.

You should always make sure though that you dedicate a bit of time to each dog individually as well as when they're together because you want the dogs to remain bonded with you.

rising_from_the_ashes

TBH I've not found 2 any more difficult than one - as you say, the costs are obvious but if that's not an issue I wouldn't worry about it.

We've always had one older dog and then got a pup (then repeated this when we "lost" one) and the pup will learn a lot from the older dog - obviously you need 121 time with the pup for training etc and it won't be able to go straight out for long walks but once "grown up", it's just as easy to walk 2 as 1. As well as 121 time with the older dog but if this is feasible .... I'd say, go for it!

rising_from_the_ashes

Oppps, just noticed you don't want a pup!

However, getting an older rescue (very worthwhile) may still take some training so the above will probably still apply.

needing-help

Thanks for the replies and help. I have been having a sneaky look at rescue sites just to see what there is;) We are going away in August so will wait until after that before we look but I really think I will do it after reading your posts.

I don't have any real objection to a puppy and I have 3 kids so maybe it would be better. Not bothered about breed though.

kathy206 You raised a good point. I have a neutered male already so I'm not sure whether it would be best to get a female. Would 2 neutered males get on, its just I've picked a name already:rotfl:

xx

ali-t

I must be in the minority as I found 2 to be much harder than 1. I had assumed it wouldn't be much bother as I would be walking anyway, buying food anyway, insuring one dog anyway etc.

How wrong I was! My first one was 5 at the time of introducing the pup and she hated him so it took 18 months before they could be trusted to stay together without one of them causing merry hell. They were fine playing together outside but my first dog isn't keen on other dogs so if she decided to have a go at a dog that was bothering her the younger one would join in to defend her which was a nightmare.

If either of them are unreliable off the lead you need eyes in the back of your head to keep track of them. Each dog needs dedicated training time so for me this meant most of my weekends spent at obedience or agility training and also one evening a week in my quest to have well adjusted animals.

I have a dog and a !!!!!, both breeds that are known to have issues with the same sex so I tended to find that if one dog was ok with the approaching dog the other one wouldn't be. The 'he only wants to play' owners are the bane of my life when I have about 13 stone of dogs on the end of the lead, neither of whom appreciates the dog (whose owner is somewhere in the distance) trying to hump them. It is very difficult to split up a dog fight or stop one happening when you have both your hands full with multiple dogs and bags of poo.

Walking on ice is also treacherous with multiple dogs as your centre of balance ends up totally warped. If the dogs are different colours, there is no safe wardrobe combination. I used to be able to get away with wearing light colours with a red and white dog but getting the black and tan one now means I can't dodge the dog hair look no matter how often they are groomed and the house cleaned.

BUT, you get double the amount of loving and affection from them, they are great company for each other and the older one can teach the younger one manners (or bad habits!).

Fire_Fox

You might consider fostering for a rescue, to see how you get on with having a second dog?