Two dogs much more trouble than one?

Angelina-M

Hi there

Quick question..... If you have one dog and add another one to your home, is it twice the work or twice the joy?

I'm thinking of getting another dog but dont want to rush into it. What about everyone out there, are you glad you got another or wish you had stuck to one?

Justie

it can often be easier but it requires a lot of effort at the beginning to make sure the dogs see you as important and so don't take cues off each other which can lead to bad behaviour. You'd need to spend some time with each dog individually to begin with and do some training (classes are a good idea with the new dog) and some walks etc so that you establish what behaviours you expect and make sure both dogs listen to your commands. After you've established that though the dogs will play together and keep each other company so it's generally easier. If you have a territorial dog though it can be a nightmare so you need to know your dog.

*zippy*

We left it a year and then got another dog, the eldest one was the motherly type so we didn't expect any problems, but she was a little jealous for a couple of weeks, but then settled lovely. They are inseparable now and great company for each other.

Twice the joy in our case

GreenNinja

Angelina-M wrote: »

Hi there

Quick question..... If you have one dog and add another one to your home, is it twice the work or twice the joy?

I'm thinking of getting another dog but dont want to rush into it. What about everyone out there, are you glad you got another or wish you had stuck to one?

Hi Angelina,

In my experience I would say both! Twice the joy and definitely twice the work!!

I had a male 5 year old Rottweiler and we got another male puppy. The older dog hated the puppy on site and used to either ignore him completely or growl at him when he touched his toys/bone etc! Then one day came home and they were sat together all cosy and were best buddies from that day onwards. They played together and slept curled up together and loved each other, they really did. The older one taught the younger one loads of stuff, he used to do what the older one did so it made training easier than it could have been. The older one lived until he was a few weeks off 13 and I am convinced he lived that long as he didn't want to leave the younger one, (soppy I know!). The younger one is now 10 and his temperament is much like the older one was, very gentle and loving.

With regards to the mess, I used to hoover twice a day and wash my kitchen floor twice a day and obviously the pooper scooping reached epidemic proportions! but I would highly recommend having 2 dogs. Its company for them when you are out and as long as they are well behaved/trained theres no reason why it can't work out really well.

Good luck with it and enjoy!

Angelina-M

Oh im really pleased with the replies! It seems like it may be a good idea then as I do worry about my dog being bored. She is truly lovely but she doesnt play. She was a show dog (whether that makes a difference) and she goes out an hour in a morning and an hour at night but she hardly leaves my side so I feel she's not getting as much out of our walks as she could.

I'm in the house all day and so there's no problem there and I kind of like the idea of two beautiful boxers laid out in front of my fire.

I think im on a mission to find a new addition as soon as we come back from our holidays..... yaaay!

bulchy

Ooh how exciting, getting a new dog. We got an American cocker pup to keep our rescued weimy company on walks, as he always seemed lonely :rolleyes: soppy I know. He didnt like her at first, as she was so small and kept getting under his paws, but he loves her now, and is very protective of her, she bosses him around, infact there like an old married couple, hes well and truly under the paw :rotfl: Your older dog may put the pup in its place a few times, my kids found this scary with our 2 as Thunder seemed huge compared to Belle, but we didnt interfere, and they get along fine now.
Sue

kr15snw

I love having two. They can keep each other company / entertained if you have to leave them for a short time!

First time we had 2 they were about 4 years apart, and one was very mothering to the other.

This time we got two puppies together. Brother and sister. The bond is unbelievable! But unfortunately it meant the old 'oh god ozzy is doing a pee on the carpet, wait wheres megan? NOOOOO dont eat that!!!!' You will need more than one of you in the house at nearly all times for the first few weeks

Angelina-M

Its lovely to hear all these stories, thank you.

I wont get a puppy though, probably the brother or dad of my current dog if its possible. If not I am contacting another boxer breeder who may have an older dog for sale. Nothing will happen though until my holidays are over with.

I was day dreaming about having two dogs whilst out on my morning walk, cant wait to have them both frolicking around. My dog hardly leaves my side so it will be great to see her run around more.

lil_me

There are a few Boxer rescues you might want to try aswell. Good luck on your search hope it works out well for you both..


Boxer Rescue
Mrs C E McGrath, Hoylake, Wirral. Tel :07789 870117
Mrs G Steer, Isle of Man. Tel: 01624 627718
Email: bxarsq@aol.com
www.boxer-rescue.co.uk

Boxer Rescue
Mrs B Hoad, East Sussex. Tel: 01273 870776

Cotswolds Boxer Rescue
Miss J Brown, Berkeley, Gloucester. Tel: 01453 511303

Home Counties Boxer Welfare
Mr D Spencer, Chair, Chiswick, London. Tel: 020 8995 1893
Miss A M Podmore (Secretary), Leighton Buzzard, Beds.
Tel: 01525 240288 or 07769 667235. Email: dallgerrypodmore@tinyworld.co.uk

Lincolnshire Boxer Rescue
Mrs D Barnes (Sec & Co-ordinator), Holbeach, Lincs. Tel: 01406 490350 Fax: 01406 426159
Mrs J Tree, Boston, Lincs. Tel: 01205 357001
Mr & Mrs D Blinko, Hemel Hempstead, Herts. Tel: 01442 393153
www.boxerrescue.co.uk

Norfolk Boxer Rescue
Mrs S Fox (Co-ord & Sec), Hainford, Norfolk. Tel: 01603 890655
Mrs H Harvey (Treasurer), Hellesdon, Norwich. Tel: 01603 415448
Email: enquiries@norfolkboxerrescue.co.uk
www.norfolkboxerrescue.co.uk

South Wales Boxer Club Rescue
Mrs C Williams, Tel: 01633 869256

South Western Boxer Club Rescue
Mrs S Cowell, Nr Exeter, Devon. Tel: 01626 865016
Miss J Grover, Taunton, Somerset. Tel: 01460 281202

Thames Valley Boxer Rescue
Mrs J Drew, Nr Swindon, Wilts . Tel: 01793 726868
www.thamesv-boxer-rescue.org.uk

Trent Boxer Club Rescue
Mr B Alton (Co-ordinator), Selston, Notts. Tel: 01773 810630

Tyne, Wear & Tees Boxer Rescue
Mrs S Oddy, Northumberland 01830 540270
Email sue.o@breathemail.net
www.boxer-rescue.org.uk/
http://users.breathemail.net/sue.o/twthome.htm

Wessex Boxer Rescue
Mrs B Groves, Nr Melksham, Wiltshire. Tel: 01380 828158

White Boxer Rescue
Mrs S Dawson, Preston, Lancs. 01772 690458
(Also contact for training of deaf Boxers)

beckiem

ive got three dogs 3yr old staffie/collie 2yr old jack russell and a 9month old staffie they all get great just a suggestion when bringing in a new puppy get lots of toys for your dog aswell as the puppy it allways has helped with mine they are hard work but you could never separate them now also try and keep the adult size the sameish(is that a word) as the older one as you may get fighting in the future

Kimitatsu

We have 5 (yes we are mad!) and one that stays over the summer and I have to say they do benefit from the company.

4 out of the 5 of mine are show dogs and I dont think it makes a difference to be honest although mine have always been pets first and princesses second :rotfl:

The only thing I will say is that ours behave as a pack, we have a top dog and a bottom dog and we leave them sort out their own niggles! It saves a lot of heartache later on, I would reccomend introducing them both on neutral ground to begin with and dont worry if there are a couple of growls here and there to begin with!

Let us know when you get the new pooch!