Guest donatella Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 I know this has been done to death but I need the absolute pros and cons of getting dog #2. I am very seriously possibly getting one shortly and want to be 300 times sure its the right decision. My reasons for getting #2 are mainly for #1 so as she has someone when I'm at work as I get the huge guilts about leaving her all day even though I'm sure she mostly sleeps. I even dropped my work hours back to 9 days a fortnight so I could spend more time with her but I'm possibly going back to full time work very shortly. She's a very active dog and I think she'd greatly appreciate a buddy as she seemed to love having our last foster guy around. I need to know everything that comes with the territory of having an extra dog. Is it a double the work or will I not notice a huge difference? Bearing in mind too that my breed weighs 2kg so things like feeding is very very cheap. I want to be sure I know all the pro's and cons to adding an extra dog to the household before I do it. I have been thinking about it a long time. I am a huge dog lover myself, I seem to spend most of my recreational time with my dogs as I don't like to leave them by themselves or unentertained. Looking forward to hearing all the good and bad stories Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuffles Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 (edited) The short answer is YES, two dogs are better than one. The long answer is... More mischief and destruction. More poo and wee. More vet bills. More kennel fees, or harder to find someone to look after them if you go away. Learning how to manage more than one, eg. their relationship, whether they guard resources, whether one needs more exercise than the other, whether they need separating at any point, whether they can eat the same food, etc. And of course, some dogs just don't get along. In my opinion, most dogs enjoy doggie company of some kind. My girl annoys the heck out of my boy, but he really misses her when she's not there. I love seeing them interact with each other. They are their own little pack. I love having two different personalities around. I love having both of them greet me at the door when I get home. I love watching them play bitey face. No-one I know who has two dogs has regretted the decision. ETA: My boy could easily be an only dog, we had him for 2 years before getting our girl. Company would not have been a good enough reason for us to get another dog, because he's happy to sleep the day away. But I really wanted another dog, so I got one. Edited September 5, 2012 by wuffles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megan_ Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 (edited) I'll give some of the negatives for thought: * #1 may not like #2 and vice versa. Where does that leave #2 because he was bought to keep #1 company? They'll most probably need to be separated at first anyway as a pup needs rest time and not constant play with an older dog. * There is more work involved because you don't want to raise 2 co-dependent dogs that don't know how to cope if the other one needs to spend overnight at the vets etc. So this means time alone, some separate walks and training etc. This means more of your time. This is especially true when #2 is new to the household. * If one breaks into the bin/gets sick, then chances are the other one will too. Can you afford double the emergency vet costs (to give you an idea, mine spent a night at the emergency vets on a drip only, and the cost was just shy of $1000). I have two dogs and I love them and they get along really well, but I don't think I could cope if they didn't. I'm a firm believer in getting a dog for yourself, and not your other dog. Do you actually want another dog? If you're worried about Lucy being bored, what about a dog walker during the day? ETA: they'll need to be fed separately too. I actually miss leaving a bone for my boy to chomp on. Edited September 5, 2012 by megan_ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest donatella Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 This is what I want, I want my little girl to have a pack when i'm not there as I know she thrives on being with people and even though she's well behaved nowadays she must get lonely for 9 hours a day when i'm not there. I'm very thankful i'm a shiftworker and do nights so thats extra time at home with her some days. I would hope that by getting a puppy the pack order may be easier to ascertain then an adult dog and I'm sure a pup would settle easier having a big sister to be at home with as well. I always think that lifes too short and you should get in and do the things you enjoy now and in my case its my little balls of fluff. I also rent, so that's another thing I have to factor in for the future and probably my biggest concern even though its not a problem in my current property. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 Hmmm.. One very active dog ....plus another one to keep her awake = possible mass destruction/increased noise . Your girl will possibly LOVE a friend- but can your house/neighbours cope? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest donatella Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 Good points megan and some definite food for thought. I absolutely want another dog, I love the breed and have been puppy clucky for many many months. I actually toyed at getting a show dog and getting into that as a hobby for myself as well. Feeding would absolutely need to be done separately as Lucy is very food protective now, but I'm hoping she'd see a pup as a baby and not as a threat, although I'm not sure how much this is true. I think breeds like Poms go so well together as a duo, because of their size they are manageable and I'm very lucky to have my mothers house as my own personal boarding kennel and she's knows i'm thinking of buying another. As for the emergencies, I could make it happen and I also have insurance (even though I know you need to cough up with the fees first hand). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megan_ Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 Don't assume that puppies fit in easier. When the pup grows up there could easily be a bit of tussling to sort the "real" order out. Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but I'm seeing a lot about what Lucy wants, not what you want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest donatella Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 Hmmm.. One very active dog ....plus another one to keep her awake = possible mass destruction/increased noise . Your girl will possibly LOVE a friend- but can your house/neighbours cope? I'm lucky to live in a townhouse so a small area and aside from toileting we're inside pretty much 100% of the time although I leave the door open for her when i'm home she'd much rather be inside with me. If they can put up with our uni neighbours parties every week then i'm sure a puppy shouldn't be a problem (i'd hope) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest donatella Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 Don't assume that puppies fit in easier. When the pup grows up there could easily be a bit of tussling to sort the "real" order out. Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but I'm seeing a lot about what Lucy wants, not what you want. Its not just for Lucy, even though she is a definite formative behind the thinking. I love the breed, i've always said I want to own another, whether that be as a #2 or when Lucy passes on i'm still to decide. I don't do a huge amount that doesn't involve my dog these days even if its just hanging out at home with each other and everyone knows i'm the crazy dog lady :laugh: I'm talking to the breeder tonight so I will relay all of this to her on the phone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiesha09 Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 For me I have found that 2 dogs are definately better than one. I personally wanted another dog for me, but part of that reasoning was so that my other dog had company during the day. I suffered the major guilts leaving one dog at home alone but felt so much better having two. It has worked perfectly and they are the best of friends. I'm not sure what I would have done if they didn't get along. Initially I did find it was twice as much work. A puppy needs toilet training, individual attention, manners training etc. But now that they are 6 and 7 years old I don't find it twice as much work at all (or I've forgotten how little work one dog is :laugh:). Now we generally just work on maintenance training and I walk them together. They are fine if seperated though. I do think it depends on the dogs though and I may have got lucky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mita Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 (edited) Definitely, the general rule is 2 dogs better than one. With exceptions for individual circumstances. Biggest pro, IMO, is that 2 are company for each other. Dogs are pack animals and like company when their owners are out. Once again, there may be individual circumstances, depending on the nature of the dog. Honestly, not all that much more work.... you're doing what you do for one dog, so keep on going & do for two. :) One sobering thought is that it does add on to vet bills, double cost of registration and doggie essentials. But I've found that the pleasure of the second dog is worth all that. Cost, tho', is a real issue for some people. I tend to get 2 dogs of the same breed... tibbies, of course, in my case. When I've been adding a second one to a resident dog, I'd done all sorts of worrywarting if 'they'll get along'. Needn't have worried... within a couple of months, they've become like 'born sisters', BTW my doggies have all come as adults from registered breeders who wanted to retire them to a good pet home. Their natures have already been known (breeders proved spot on re that) and they've been well socialised in all ways. I remember that your pom girl, Lucy, loved having the little rescue foster chi, for company. They were great mates. Look forward to pics and stories of your new doggie. Sounds like probably a pom? Any interest in a tibbie? Edited September 5, 2012 by mita Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mim Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 Once you go to multiple dogs you never go back. Sure, there's more poo and barking but the joy they get from each other and the extra love you have for another make it more than worth it. The jump from one to two is nothing. It's the jump from two to three that makes more work (and adding a fourth is just like having three) :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest donatella Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 Definitely, the general rule is 2 dogs better than one. With exceptions for individual circumstances. Biggest pro, IMO, is that 2 are company for each other. Dogs are pack animals and like company when their owners are out. Once again, there may be individual circumstances, depending on the nature of the dog. Honestly, not all that much more work.... you're doing what you do for one dog, so keep on going & do for two. :) One sobering thought is that it does add on to vet bills, double cost of registration and doggie essentials. But I've found that the pleasure of the second dog is worth all that. Cost, tho', is a real issue for some people. I tend to get 2 dogs of the same breed... tibbies, of course, in my case. When I've been adding a second one to a resident dog, I'd done all sorts of worrywarting if 'they'll get along'. Needn't have worried... within a couple of months, they've become like 'born sisters', I remember that your pom girl, Lucy, loved having the little rescue foster chi, for company. They were great mates. Look forward to pics and stories of your new doggie. Sounds like probably a pom? Any interest in a tibbie? Yes, Lucy loved Marty, they were best buddies by the end of it and I very nearly adopted him myself and the only reason I didn't was because I really wanted another Pom. Definitely a Pom for me, I'm a fluff girl through and through :) The thing that excites me about this possibility is the breeder is from Brisbane so I have that support and he is show quality so if I wanted to get into the ring like I toyed now is my chance. Nothing set in stone though, I am really just making some decisions and the breeder hasn't even decided if they want me as an adoptee yet. When I first got Lucy I had the first few days of major anxiety about it but now I wouldn't be without her and she comes as part of my package :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest donatella Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 Once you go to multiple dogs you never go back. Sure, there's more poo and barking but the joy they get from each other and the extra love you have for another make it more than worth it. The jump from one to two is nothing. It's the jump from two to three that makes more work (and adding a fourth is just like having three) :laugh: 2 would be my absolute maximum :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mita Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 (edited) Whoops. Double part of post. Edited September 5, 2012 by mita Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheyd Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 I love having two dogs now - only problem is now I want more than two...... I waited till my heart girl Holly passed to get two dogs as she was very bonded to me and I didnt feel it fair to bring another dog in when she was older. We got Merlin about a year later and then 12 months on we got Dexter and I wouldnt look back, they have awesome fun chasing each other around and playing tug I didnt notice too much difference in feeding, walking etc as I was doing it for one dog already, Dexter was a bit easier to toilet train as he watched Merlin and picked it up from there - now he is better than Merlin LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mita Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 [ When I first got Lucy I had the first few days of major anxiety about it but now I wouldn't be without her and she comes as part of my package :) Exactly! Me, too. Then, when the new one was here and soon settled, I wondered what on earth I'd worried about. One of the great things about adopting from a good registered breeder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mixeduppup Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 I have 4 here right now, one is mum's one belongs to everyone now lol, and two are mine. I think as long as all the dogs are balanced and you can give them all they need both mentally and physically then there's no reason to not have two, but in saying that if the dogs seems happy by itself with you then there's no reason to add another for the sake of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest donatella Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 This place is already Pom proof so to speak as in baby gates to the no go zones when noone is home so I wouldn't have to do to much aside from a crate or puppy pen for the initial period. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebanne Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 is the landlord agreeable? I'd want it in writing for just in case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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