Should I Get Another Dog?

• 08-22-2006 6:11 PM

  Twin Joined on 07-16-2006 Sacramento, CA Posts 579 Points 5

  Should I Get Another Dog? Reply Contact My pup is 10 months old now and we are inseparable. Well I have always liked the idea of getting another dog, to have as a buddy for him, and also I would love to have more. What I want to know is if it is a bad idea? Is my pup too young, should I wait till he is older? Will another dog make him jealous? I know that my pup would love to have another dog around, I just don't know it would make him sad at the same time... Those of you that have more than one dog, how does that work out? Do the dogs still bond with you, or just would rather play with eachother? I really have no idea because I have only had one dog at a time. Thanks! (Also, wasn't quite sure where to post this question, I hope its OK here )

  Post Points: 0

• 08-22-2006 6:22 PM

  In reply to Twin

  glenmar Joined on 09-10-2007 The Florida Panhandle Posts 13,497 Points 405

  RE: Should I Get Another Dog? Reply Contact Well, I have six german shepherds and they are all very bonded to us, more to me since I'm the one who's here the most.  I make sure that all of them get some one on one time with me daily.  In the evening, when I'm still in the office and DH and DS are in the livingroom, guess where all the dogs are?  And heaven forbid I get up to go to the bathroom or get a cup of coffee without telling them where I'm going and that I'll be right back....some days I feel like the Pied Piper!!   But, they love having one another to play with and spend hours outside running and playing together....their choice.  Folks say to wait until a pup is a year old, but circumstances meant that aside from Thor and Sheba, none of mine were when we added family members, and everything has worked fine for us.  But, it is not twice the work....more like THREE times the work to have two. A house without fur is not a home. Glenda ,

  Post Points: 0

• 08-22-2006 6:42 PM

  In reply to Twin

  Twin Joined on 07-16-2006 Sacramento, CA Posts 579 Points 5

  RE: Should I Get Another Dog? Reply Contact Wow, 6 Shepherds! []  I bet you never have to worry about safety issues!   Yeah, I can relate. EVERY SINGLE TIME I get up from the couch, bed, computer, etc, UP my pup goes to follow me. I'm always like, "It's OK boy, you don't have to get up, stay lying down." Man, if only I was able to get up that fast to get ready for school/work. It's amazing. []   I am definitely prepared (mentally and financially) to take care of the extra addition. I've got a horse, goats, cat, chicken, etc. that I also attend to. It's fun having a Shepherd handy though when the goats get out of the pasture! []   Anyway, I guess my main concern would be the jealousy factor, beings my pup is by my side pretty much all day long. I wouldn't want to jeapordize our bond. [&o]

  Post Points: 0

• 08-22-2006 6:50 PM

  In reply to Twin

  magilacudy Joined on 09-10-2007 Ontario Posts 2,540 Points 0	RE: Should I Get Another Dog? Reply Contact Not that I am experienced with this, but i would get another one sooner than later. My dog used to never have a problem with other dogs, she would love to play with them. Then she was attacked by another dog, now she does not get along with any dogs. I think I would have a hard time getting my dog used to another.
  	Post Points: 0

• 08-22-2006 8:22 PM

  In reply to Twin

  tiffy Joined on 09-10-2007 Tacoma, Wa. Posts 2,489 Points 235	RE: Should I Get Another Dog? Reply Contact I have three, all came home separately. They have bonded to each other nicely, but the all love their momma. Especially my corgi. Glendas right having two is three times the work, so having three must be four times the work![] Good luck in your decision.
  	Post Points: 0

• 08-22-2006 8:42 PM

  In reply to Twin

  corvus Joined on 08-02-2006 Australia (NSW) Posts 2,693 Points 80

  RE: Should I Get Another Dog? Reply Contact My corgi has been both an only dog and a member of a multiple dog household. We're currently all back home with my parents, where there are two other dogs as well as her. Before that she had a big old BC cross pal, and I saw right away that she was a lot happier with him around. It just made it that much less of a big deal whenever I went off to work. She seemed a lot happier about being left at home when she had a canine buddy to hang out with. I think dogs are happier with another doggy pal in the pack, but they still love pack leader best. Depending on your dog, you could have troubles. My dog is a little miss policeman and rather than acting up along with the other dogs, she runs and tells on them. She'll even show us where the other two have escaped from the yard. But that can have it's downsides because it was hard for a while to stop her from rousing on the other dogs if they'd gone and done something bad, but had come back and were being good now. My dog tends to try especially hard to outshine the others at good behaviour, but sometimes she has her moments and it can be pretty hard to calm down your dogs when they're all worked up about something. It takes a lot longer. And as long as someone is still barking, it's an epic battle to get the others to quieten down. I'd make sure if you get another dog that it's the opposite sex of your current one. That can go a long way towards harmonious bonding. Not to say same sex dogs can't get along, just that it's a little more complicated and prone to problems in my experience. If you're prepared financially and prepared for the extra work, I think you should go ahead and get another dog. There might be a little jealousy, but it often irons itself out pretty quickly, especially if the dogs are pretty clear on who is the dominant out of them and you make sure you pet that one first and everything. I doubt very much that it would change your relationship with your current dog. You can always work with them seperately sometimes to firm your one-on-one bond. My dog is at the bottom of the heap, now, which means she has to wait until the other two are finished before she can come and talk to me, but we still get plenty of opportunities to do the things together that we've always done, and she knows where she stands and doesn't think in her doggy brain that it's unfair that she doesn't get exclusive rights to me anymore. I think you'll find jealousy won't be a big problem. Mourning Penny. We were going to be young together forever, but I'm glad we grew up together instead.

  Post Points: 0

• 08-22-2006 9:32 PM

  In reply to Twin

  jjsmom06 Joined on 07-20-2006 Posts 5,203 Points 125

  RE: Should I Get Another Dog? Reply Contact Definately give them 1 on 1 time, very important! We have only had JJ 3 months or so and Prudence about 10 days and she LOVES him, and he enjoys her compnay when she isn't stealing his bed, toys or treats! They both turn GREEN with envy when the other is getting love. JJ is total velcro with me so I thought that he would have a more difficult time but he has been a good and very tolerant boy.  He does love it when we all go on walks or when we take them to the ball field to run together. I think you should definately consider it and I don't think yours is too young. The Ayn Rand Frequently Revolving Quote: "I swear by my life and my love of it that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine. "

  Post Points: 0

• 08-23-2006 12:53 AM

  In reply to Twin

  Twin Joined on 07-16-2006 Sacramento, CA Posts 579 Points 5

  RE: Should I Get Another Dog? Reply Contact Thank you all for such great advice! It is appreciated greatly! []   I know my pup would love to have another dog around, as would I. He has been extensively socialized since he was 8 weeks old so he gets along with dogs, cats, horses, goats, and people very well! I would think they would enjoy having another dog around, just like we like to be around other people.   My mom's friend is looking for a home for her white German Shepherd. He is about 1 year old. My pup is 10 months so they would be close to the same age, which I think would be a plus. That way one doesn't get old while the other one is still a youngin. Just concerned about 2 boys, I am sure that would be OK, he gets along with both sexes very well....of course he does have a "thing" for them females....what do you guys think?

  Post Points: 0

• 08-23-2006 6:49 AM

  In reply to Twin

  Luvntzus Joined on 05-09-2006 Posts 4,201 Points 170

  RE: Should I Get Another Dog? Reply Contact ORIGINAL: Twin My mom's friend is looking for a home for her white German Shepherd. He is about 1 year old. My pup is 10 months so they would be close to the same age, which I think would be a plus. That way one doesn't get old while the other one is still a youngin. Just concerned about 2 boys, I am sure that would be OK, he gets along with both sexes very well....of course he does have a "thing" for them females....what do you guys think?   I'd say I'd be a little concerned having 2 male German Shepherds going through adolescence at the same time. It's usually better to have a little more space between them for pack rank issues. BUT if one is clearly much more dominant than the other, then you may not have any of those rank deciding issues.   I think what *usually* works the best to have have a pair of opposite sex, but the next easiest is two males, and then multiple females last.   A lot really depends on the individual personalities of the dogs involved. I'd say if you're interested in the white German Shepherd, then have them meet on neutral territory and see how it goes.   Another thing to consider when you have multiple dogs is that there will always been a pack order (you first obviously) and then an order among the dogs. If your pup ends up last on the totem pole, you need to make sure to support the other dog's alpha status. A lot of times people feel sorry for the low man on the totem pole, but showing them special treatment like feeding them first, paying attention to them first, etc. just sets them up to be put in their place by the other dog.

  Post Points: 0

• 08-23-2006 7:16 AM

  In reply to Twin

  mrv Joined on 09-10-2007 west central OH Posts 2,924 Points 745

  RE: Should I Get Another Dog? Reply Contact I have had multiple dogs all my adult life.  I prefer to bring in a new puppy when the dogs in the house are mature physically and have had about two years of good solid training.  It is so much easier to manage things and deal with problems when one (or more) of the dogs already has quick responses to commands.   Also I like my adult dogs to be a learning and calming influence.  That is hard for a 10 month old puppy to do.  Puppies will follow the behavior of other dogs quite nicely, I prefer they follow calm, quiet, and social models.  If you really wanted another dog now, I would look at an older dog through rescue.  Most breed rescues can help find a good fit and many of the puppy stupids are over.

  Post Points: 0

• 08-23-2006 9:32 AM

  In reply to Twin

  ILUVJRs Joined on 07-10-2006 Harrisburg, PA Posts 846 Points 0

  RE: Should I Get Another Dog? Reply Contact Don't know whether this is going to help you or not but we have two JRs and we did wait for about a year before we got the 2nd just to make sure that our first (Lucky) was secure as he was a rescue.  He never really had separation anxiety but he did worry when one of us was gone.  He would pace.  After about a year, he seemed to settle down and realize he was finally in his forever home and didn't feel that we were going to abandon him or neglect him in anyway.    After we could tell he was fine with one or both of us gone for a short length of time, as we try never to let our dogs have to wait too very long without some human interaction if we can help it, then we noticed that he looked sort of well... bored is the only word I can find right now.  We exercised him and walked him and did all the things you are supposed to do with JRs but he still seemed that way so we thought perhaps a buddy would help.  We got another one as a pup and well, the rest is history.  They took off famously and all is well and we are a very happy family!  Good Luck but it will all work out.  Dogs are very resilient!

  Post Points: 0

• 08-23-2006 11:18 AM

  In reply to Twin

  Pooch_luvr Joined on 07-17-2006 Northeastern Wisconsin Posts 355 Points 0	RE: Should I Get Another Dog? Reply Contact Dogs are naturally pack animals so having more dogs i don't think would be much of an issue. You dogs may try to be dominant towards the newcomer but otherwise it should be ok!
  	Post Points: 0

• 08-23-2006 11:53 AM

  In reply to Twin

  lokis_mom Joined on 09-10-2007 Washington State Posts 1,372 Points 0

  RE: Should I Get Another Dog? Reply Contact We brougth Odin home 1 week after Loki's 1st birthday. They are both males and both about a year and a half old now. We, like you, were very worried that we would lose the bond we had with Loki (we raised him since he was 8 weeks old). We thought there would be jealousy. But we knew he'd love having another dog to play with and the opportunity to save Odin from a shelter presented itself, so we went for it. And we haven't regretted a second of it.   The dogs loved each other from the first minute they met. They've had a few "pack ranking" issues that were cleared up very quickly. We spend one on one time with them and make sure that if one gets something, the other does as well. There is no jealousy, they know they're both loved equally. And now we have an amazing bond with two neat little boys. Also, they play with each other and keep each other company when we can't be with them.   I'd say as long as the fit is right for your home, getting a second dog is a great idea. Of course make sure the dogs get along and that you can afford it. IMO, though, it's really not too much harder having two than one.

  Post Points: 0

• 08-24-2006 10:43 AM

  In reply to Twin

  peppersmom Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 30 Points 0

  RE: Should I Get Another Dog? Reply Contact We added a GSD to our family.  She will be 8wks.  Our black lab is 5.  We were worried about the same things you are, but we thought she might enjoy the company and I have wanted a GSD for a very long time (had one growing up).  We make sure that we give one on one time to each dog and that Pepper knows we have not forgotten her, and we encourage them when they are together that they are both such good girls.  Pepper (our black lab) was a littly hesitant at first but each day gets more and more excited to have Mia (our GSD) around.  Mia though was not hesitant at all around Pepper, I think she looks up to her as a mother figure.  She is always following her around.

  Post Points: 0

• 08-24-2006 11:10 AM

  In reply to Twin

  Hollysmom Joined on 03-30-2006 Maryland Posts 847 Points 0

  RE: Should I Get Another Dog? Reply Contact We brought a rescued golden age 3 mix home 2 years when our bulldog was 7 1/2.  She hated him at first and never really wanted him.  She died last month at almost 10.  But he adored her.   Fast forward to today:  Red our golden was so depressed about losing Holly that we went out a rescued a 7 year old bulldog male.  The 2 boys get along just fine except the old guy can't play cause of arthritus.  So we got a 4 month bulldog puppy .  Our golden is beside himself with happiness now,,,the pup chases him and he finally has a playmate.  Makes me so happy.  The 3 dogs are doing great together.    I would never have only one dog ever again,,,they need canine companionship.

  Post Points: 0