When To Get Your Second Dog

[cocoa]

So, my husband and I adopted our first dog a few weeks ago. Her name is Millie and she's a beagle. We love her to bits.

We got the dog because my husband is a shift worker and I really wanted a companion for the many afternoons/evenings/weekends I spend home alone as I work regular hours. Obviously, this means that Millie doesn't spend eight hours home alone five days a week as my husband can be home mornings and frequently has his days off mid week. However, she will spend a couple of days each week at home for a full day by herself.

When we researched beagles were were aware that she might be happier with another dog and discussed getting two puppies right from the start. I wasn't keen on this, because I felt we should concentrate on training the first dog before bringing home the second. My husband, on the other hand, is a big softy and doesn't like to think of her being lonely.

I was wondering what people think about getting a second dog. When is the best time? What should you consider before bringing home man's best friend version 2.0?

[mokhahouse]

Congratulations on your dog. Beagle pups are so adorable.I am assuming Millie is a pup, not an older already trained dog. My experience for what its worth was that it was hard going that first 12 months after we brought Molly home. Mokha was just over 4 months old when we saw Molly who was estimated at 6 months old on a shelter website but our vet said more likely a year old. She was completely untrained so having a big pup and a little pup to train took up lots of time, Mokha picked up some bad habits of Molly (chewing bedding). I had to give them lots of individual time and with a family, work etc it was a busy busy time. I would suggest that you get the first one trained before adding another. I am sure others may have a different opinion but I personally wouldnt probably have two so close in age again. Especially since I will have two seniors at the same time with the extra needs and expenses. Next time I will probably have a gap of a couple of years.

Edited August 24, 2010 by mokhahouse

[GoldenWei]

Is Millie a puppy? If so I would concentrate on her for a while. I wouldn't get another puppy until after she is atleast 18 months old. An older dog with some training already done MAY be ok though. It would depend on the dog.

[GoldenWei]

I take it you haven't owned a beagle before? Wait until she hits her teenage years, most beagles are rehomed between 6 months & 2 years of age. We are involved with beagle rescue, and if they aren't older - ie over 7, they are usaully 2 years and under. Our first foster beagle was 7 months old, I wanted to give him back after the first two days, lol. it was a huge learning curve. I couldn't imagine having had two of him for any length of time. We got through it, and subsequent fosters have been easier to handle, mostly because we know that if there is something in their reach they will destroy it. We have lost a shoe to one of the fosters, it was out of reach, but my golden got it down from a height the foster beagle couldn't reach and left it in the backyard for him to eat. Phoenix takes things and likes to hold them in his mouth, the beagle destroyed the shoe, all that was left was a sole.

[Dory the Doted One]

I agree with others, I'd wait. A couple of days of alone time isn't going to scar her in anyway. Plenty of solo dogs have a lot more time on their own.

If you are worried about her getting bored and destructive there are plenty of things you can do to keep her occupied while you are away.

I've had dogs close together in age, and it actually made my life a lot more challenging. One of them would freak out anytime you took his companion away and would almost hurt himself trying to get out. And let's face it, sometimes you can only; or you must only take one. That is a LOT more tormenting than a day or so on their own because they are a solo puppy.

And then there was the day she could no longer physically continue, nothing really wrong with him except dementia. Which meant he couldn't be with other dogs, he'd try to attack them.

That was a bloody tough day.

[cocoa]

Thanks for the responses, you are all basically confirming my first instinct which is that the first dog should be well established first and then we might think about another.

Millie is a pup. I am prepared for a naughty adolesence, but I think my husband has this idea that it she has company she won't cause as many problems. I am not convinced of this. Two puppies just sounds like more hard work to me. I also think he wants two to make himself feel less guilty about going out when I am not there.

Thanks for the confirmation that my gut feeling is right. Husband has been actively trying to convince me to get a second pup right now. I've talked him back to six months and I think with further ammunition I can talk him back further.