Pros and Cons of getting a second dog...
Discussion
These are our two, 1 year between them and overall its been a postitive experience but without some challenges.
The Black one is a male Cockapoo older, and came into the family first. Loves people, initially loved other dogs but now is very hit and miss and generally hates old males. The white one is a Springer / Terrier mix, who we picked up as a puppy as the mum got handed into a rescue pregnant as she lived on a travellers park and they didn't want her.
Generally they are great, play together, and best buddies. The cockapoo is top dog, and will certainly tell the other one off if needs to. The springer is besotted by his older brother, follow's him around and gets jealous if some gives the other one attention.
We have had some issues though.
1. They have different personalities. The springer pulls like a train on the lead, focused on balls and sticks, and always wants to walk. The cockapoo is lazy, stubborn and a pain at times. Lets say lead walks are a challenge.
2. Integrating with other dogs is an issue. They become pack like, and can be a challenge when they meet other dogs, especially if the other one doesn't like them. They do stick up for each other which is good.
I would say two dogs, is defiantly better than one.
10 years ago, soon after our first dog was PTS, we re-homed an absolute nutter (I mean that affectionately) of a 1yo deaf, female Frenchie: Daisy. 13 months later a friend's pair of dogs, a Yorkie and a Jack Russell were expecting, so we tentatively said we'd have one of them, we got first pick and a few months later Barry came to us.
Barry arriving was brilliant, both Daisy and Barry played and got on really well with Daisy calming down considerably, it was perfect.
Almost 2 years later, Barry's parents were expecting again, I got my ear bent by the wife to have one but I refused, I was happy with Daisy and Barry, I didn't want a third. The litter were born, all were spoken for pretty quickly apart from 1, nobody wanted her, the parents owners were actually resigned to keeping her, in the end I gave in, Daphne came in to our family.
All was good with the three of them initially but things started to change, I can't pinpoint when but the dynamic changed with Barry and Daisy, he started to get a bit funny with her, maybe jealous, I think he wanted to be top dog when in fact Daisy has always been top dog, to this day she still is and I think with Daphne coming on to the scene he wanted to be.
Barry and Daphne are a duo, she is kind of his hapless assistant, he gives, her a bit of grief now and then, she is also a wind up, she'll wind up Barry sometimes when Daisy is about, to kind of get him angry with her, she chucks the grenade in and steps back to see it kick off, it rarely does though as, Daisy is very chilled and rarely reacts, she exudes a kind of "I'm the boss" air about her, she knows it and the other 2 do too, no matter how hard Barry tries!
Ultimately they are both wary of her, she is very clever, for example Barry will be sitting with me on the sofa, Daisy will come up, look at him, do that odd shuffle thing like she wants to play, he will get nervous and jump down, Daisy will jump up. When in it comes to Daphne, she's a big more secure in her feelings and will hold her station, if this happens Daisy will just jump up anyway and if she lands on Daphne, well so be it!
Sometimes Daphne and Daisy will play, it's quite sweet, rarely are there fights, mostly it's cordial, fights only happens if I'm away for more than a day or 2 with the 3 of them together, I guess I'm the pack leader they don't play up when I'm about, if we go on holiday Barry and Daphne stay together with someone, Daisy goes to someone else.
So in my experience 2 dogs are great and I don't think we'd ever go just 1, for any length of time anyway, 3 though, probably not again.
Barry arriving was brilliant, both Daisy and Barry played and got on really well with Daisy calming down considerably, it was perfect.
Almost 2 years later, Barry's parents were expecting again, I got my ear bent by the wife to have one but I refused, I was happy with Daisy and Barry, I didn't want a third. The litter were born, all were spoken for pretty quickly apart from 1, nobody wanted her, the parents owners were actually resigned to keeping her, in the end I gave in, Daphne came in to our family.
All was good with the three of them initially but things started to change, I can't pinpoint when but the dynamic changed with Barry and Daisy, he started to get a bit funny with her, maybe jealous, I think he wanted to be top dog when in fact Daisy has always been top dog, to this day she still is and I think with Daphne coming on to the scene he wanted to be.
Barry and Daphne are a duo, she is kind of his hapless assistant, he gives, her a bit of grief now and then, she is also a wind up, she'll wind up Barry sometimes when Daisy is about, to kind of get him angry with her, she chucks the grenade in and steps back to see it kick off, it rarely does though as, Daisy is very chilled and rarely reacts, she exudes a kind of "I'm the boss" air about her, she knows it and the other 2 do too, no matter how hard Barry tries!
Ultimately they are both wary of her, she is very clever, for example Barry will be sitting with me on the sofa, Daisy will come up, look at him, do that odd shuffle thing like she wants to play, he will get nervous and jump down, Daisy will jump up. When in it comes to Daphne, she's a big more secure in her feelings and will hold her station, if this happens Daisy will just jump up anyway and if she lands on Daphne, well so be it!
Sometimes Daphne and Daisy will play, it's quite sweet, rarely are there fights, mostly it's cordial, fights only happens if I'm away for more than a day or 2 with the 3 of them together, I guess I'm the pack leader they don't play up when I'm about, if we go on holiday Barry and Daphne stay together with someone, Daisy goes to someone else.
So in my experience 2 dogs are great and I don't think we'd ever go just 1, for any length of time anyway, 3 though, probably not again.
HTP99 said:
Ultimately they are both wary of her, she is very clever, for example Barry will be sitting with me on the sofa, Daisy will come up, look at him, do that odd shuffle thing like she wants to play, he will get nervous and jump down, Daisy will jump up. When in it comes to Daphne, she's a big more secure in her feelings and will hold her station, if this happens Daisy will just jump up anyway and if she lands on Daphne, well so be it!
Ours will do similar when its who gets to sit next to us on the sofa. The oldest Sid will either just sit and cry untill we give and shuffle his brother out of the way. Or he wanders off to the back door and taps it with his paw to go out. His brother runs after him thinking something is going on, and then Sid just wanders back and gets in his spot. Does make me chuckle.
After more thought and more discussion I think we are going to go for it. It will go one of two ways I think. Either the Scott will get a bit of purpose and enjoy both the distraction and the company and come out of his shell a bit, or he will carry on doing what he does and keep out of the way, taking himself to his favourite spot in the bay window.
I've found a breeder, she has pups available mid January. Can't wait to stand in the snow shouting 'have a wee'
I've found a breeder, she has pups available mid January. Can't wait to stand in the snow shouting 'have a wee'
Good stuff. Let them get on with it. 
When I lived at home we had 4 Golden Retrievers and they got along well. Later, married and in our own home, we got 2 Rottie dogs which were half brothers on the advice of the breeder to prevent any 'I'm top dog' stuff. They were great friends and having two made them bolder.
Then I rescued a Bull Terrier b
h from a colleague. That livened them up a bit. She kept them in line and despite many squabbles there were no injuries. That was until she tried to take a stick from the bigger Rottie. Despite weighing almost 40 lbs, big Rottie got hold of her by the scruff of the neck and shook her like a rat. Trip to the vets did not go well as I was accused of dog fighting due to the puncture wounds in her neck. She recovered quickly and they all got along really well after that.
Fast forward and today we have a Rottie dog again. He was unsocialised and lacking confidence and was becoming a 'problem dog' eating concrete and sand and licking walls. After 3 behaviourists (waste of money) we decided to get another dog but our house is not big enough for a second Rottie so opted for a Patterdale Terrier otherwise known as a T-watterdale. Highly aggressive to anything that moves or breathes he came in at 8 weeks and when the Rottie came to see, the little bd bit him on the nose.
During very early walks my wife would walk the Patterdale and leave a bit earlier but by 3 months he could easily do the whole trip. They have had a few square go's but no damage, just a lot of swearing. The Rottie always wins due to his bulk but the little git never gives up. They have become really good mates. We would never go back to just one dog.
Anway, good luck with the new arrival, he/she will be fine.
When I lived at home we had 4 Golden Retrievers and they got along well. Later, married and in our own home, we got 2 Rottie dogs which were half brothers on the advice of the breeder to prevent any 'I'm top dog' stuff. They were great friends and having two made them bolder.
Then I rescued a Bull Terrier b
h from a colleague. That livened them up a bit. She kept them in line and despite many squabbles there were no injuries. That was until she tried to take a stick from the bigger Rottie. Despite weighing almost 40 lbs, big Rottie got hold of her by the scruff of the neck and shook her like a rat. Trip to the vets did not go well as I was accused of dog fighting due to the puncture wounds in her neck. She recovered quickly and they all got along really well after that.Fast forward and today we have a Rottie dog again. He was unsocialised and lacking confidence and was becoming a 'problem dog' eating concrete and sand and licking walls. After 3 behaviourists (waste of money) we decided to get another dog but our house is not big enough for a second Rottie so opted for a Patterdale Terrier otherwise known as a T-watterdale. Highly aggressive to anything that moves or breathes he came in at 8 weeks and when the Rottie came to see, the little b
d bit him on the nose. During very early walks my wife would walk the Patterdale and leave a bit earlier but by 3 months he could easily do the whole trip. They have had a few square go's but no damage, just a lot of swearing. The Rottie always wins due to his bulk but the little git never gives up. They have become really good mates. We would never go back to just one dog.
Anway, good luck with the new arrival, he/she will be fine.
Viper201 said:
Good stuff. Let them get on with it.
When I lived at home we had 4 Golden Retrievers and they got along well. Later, married and in our own home, we got 2 Rottie dogs which were half brothers on the advice of the breeder to prevent any 'I'm top dog' stuff. They were great friends and having two made them bolder.
Then I rescued a Bull Terrier bh from a colleague. That livened them up a bit. She kept them in line and despite many squabbles there were no injuries. That was until she tried to take a stick from the bigger Rottie. Despite weighing almost 40 lbs, big Rottie got hold of her by the scruff of the neck and shook her like a rat. Trip to the vets did not go well as I was accused of dog fighting due to the puncture wounds in her neck. She recovered quickly and they all got along really well after that.
Fast forward and today we have a Rottie dog again. He was unsocialised and lacking confidence and was becoming a 'problem dog' eating concrete and sand and licking walls. After 3 behaviourists (waste of money) we decided to get another dog but our house is not big enough for a second Rottie so opted for a Patterdale Terrier otherwise known as a T-watterdale. Highly aggressive to anything that moves or breathes he came in at 8 weeks and when the Rottie came to see, the little bd bit him on the nose.
During very early walks my wife would walk the Patterdale and leave a bit earlier but by 3 months he could easily do the whole trip. They have had a few square go's but no damage, just a lot of swearing. The Rottie always wins due to his bulk but the little git never gives up. They have become really good mates. We would never go back to just one dog.
Anway, good luck with the new arrival, he/she will be fine.
Thanks, I'm sure you're right.When I lived at home we had 4 Golden Retrievers and they got along well. Later, married and in our own home, we got 2 Rottie dogs which were half brothers on the advice of the breeder to prevent any 'I'm top dog' stuff. They were great friends and having two made them bolder.
Then I rescued a Bull Terrier b
h from a colleague. That livened them up a bit. She kept them in line and despite many squabbles there were no injuries. That was until she tried to take a stick from the bigger Rottie. Despite weighing almost 40 lbs, big Rottie got hold of her by the scruff of the neck and shook her like a rat. Trip to the vets did not go well as I was accused of dog fighting due to the puncture wounds in her neck. She recovered quickly and they all got along really well after that.Fast forward and today we have a Rottie dog again. He was unsocialised and lacking confidence and was becoming a 'problem dog' eating concrete and sand and licking walls. After 3 behaviourists (waste of money) we decided to get another dog but our house is not big enough for a second Rottie so opted for a Patterdale Terrier otherwise known as a T-watterdale. Highly aggressive to anything that moves or breathes he came in at 8 weeks and when the Rottie came to see, the little b
d bit him on the nose. During very early walks my wife would walk the Patterdale and leave a bit earlier but by 3 months he could easily do the whole trip. They have had a few square go's but no damage, just a lot of swearing. The Rottie always wins due to his bulk but the little git never gives up. They have become really good mates. We would never go back to just one dog.
Anway, good luck with the new arrival, he/she will be fine.
Scott has never been especially bothered with other dogs, when I say he can't be arsed he really can't be. He plays with the ones he meets for a while but could never see him having a go.
Now people, thats the one we could never work out. People who visit he loves. First thing he'll do is bring you a ball to play. Try and speak to him if he's on a walk and Ive no doubt he'll snap. Funny thing is, it's only certain people. Spent years trying to work out why he takes an instant dislike to some people and never figured it out. Just concluded he's a grumpy old Scotsman
Had dogs most of my life and currently have 2 after losing our 5 year old labradoodle a few months back. Kept single dogs for years until we got the two labradoodles a few months apart in 2018 we then added a staffy pup in 2020 .
I'd never keep a dog on its own again, in my experience they are so much better in at least two, happier, play more and ultimately they become the best of friends. The dynamic in our house changed when Enzo died in July and it was just two but they have adjusted.
When we got the staff pup in 2020 Enzo who was 2 hated him growled barked etc but within a couple of weeks accepted him to the point they were unseperable and we've gone through the whole process of Frank the staffy mourning him loads its been quite sad
For me only negative is financial but the positives are way better I just love the whole pack dynamic in dogs and I love how much they end up loving each other
I'd never keep a dog on its own again, in my experience they are so much better in at least two, happier, play more and ultimately they become the best of friends. The dynamic in our house changed when Enzo died in July and it was just two but they have adjusted.
When we got the staff pup in 2020 Enzo who was 2 hated him growled barked etc but within a couple of weeks accepted him to the point they were unseperable and we've gone through the whole process of Frank the staffy mourning him loads its been quite sad
For me only negative is financial but the positives are way better I just love the whole pack dynamic in dogs and I love how much they end up loving each other
simonas2702 said:
For me only negative is financial but the positives are way better I just love the whole pack dynamic in dogs and I love how much they end up loving each other
And yet my 3 kind of just tolerate each other, there's no real closeness between them as such, they don't snuggle up, the middle one feels threatened (there is absolutely no reason why this should be) by the older one, the younger one winds up the middle one when the older one is about, causing tension with him.Largely they get on, but I would say that there is no closeness, they all kind of like their own space between themselves.
HTP99 said:
And yet my 3 kind of just tolerate each other, there's no real closeness between them as such, they don't snuggle up, the middle one feels threatened (there is absolutely no reason why this should be) by the older one, the younger one winds up the middle one when the older one is about, causing tension with him.
Largely they get on, but I would say that there is no closeness, they all kind of like their own space between themselves.
How bizarre and a shame really as its so nice when they get on Largely they get on, but I would say that there is no closeness, they all kind of like their own space between themselves.
simonas2702 said:
HTP99 said:
And yet my 3 kind of just tolerate each other, there's no real closeness between them as such, they don't snuggle up, the middle one feels threatened (there is absolutely no reason why this should be) by the older one, the younger one winds up the middle one when the older one is about, causing tension with him.
Largely they get on, but I would say that there is no closeness, they all kind of like their own space between themselves.
How bizarre and a shame really as its so nice when they get on Largely they get on, but I would say that there is no closeness, they all kind of like their own space between themselves.
t stiring things, it's kind of 2nd and 3rd against 1st.It is what it is, they largely get on, there aren't really fights just a bit of tension occasionally when it comes to 2nd against 1st, usually egged on by 3rd, only when we are on holiday do we seperate them, 1st to the MIL, 2nd and 3rd together to a friend.
2017 we left all 3 with my youngest for the first time, for 10 days, she would have been 18 and perfectly competent to look after them, she couldn't cope as it all kicked off massively with loads of continual aggro, 1st had to be separated permanently from 2nd and 3rd due to 2nd having a major issue with 1st.
They can be a nightmare when I'm away.
Edited by HTP99 on Friday 1st December 14:15
Took the grumpy old scotsman for a bit of an MOT tonight before we commit to a second. He's overweight, we knew that, but seems in pretty good health overall. Vet agreed that another dog might just spur him on a bit and the movement will help him lose some weight.
Only small potential issue, we need to check his weight gain is just eating too much and not moving enough rather than Cushings Disease, which isn't unusual in scotties but a blood test should tell us more and it can be reasonably well controlled anyway.
The look I got tonight when I weighed out his supper was quite something
Only small potential issue, we need to check his weight gain is just eating too much and not moving enough rather than Cushings Disease, which isn't unusual in scotties but a blood test should tell us more and it can be reasonably well controlled anyway.
The look I got tonight when I weighed out his supper was quite something
We had a cocker spaniel and introduced a Springer pup when the Cocker was 5 years old. All was well for around 5 - 6 years when, for some unknown reason they started fighting amongst each other (usually if they were both in a confined space, or even if they came close to each other). It became really quite nasty at times with the cocker losing out to the now larger and stronger Springer. It reached the heart-breaking point of seriously thinking we'd have to re-home the Springer. As a last-ditch attempt we had the Springer castrated (both had been entire until then) and although it didn't totally solve the situation I think the fighting became less nasty and less frequent and we just about managed it.
Since the Cocker died we haven't replaced him and would be a bit reluctant to have two dogs in the future for fear of them not getting on. It's such a shame as the early years were great and as many have said, dealing with two is not much more work than one.
What we found quite strange is that when the cocker died, despite the Springer always having him around, he didn't seem to miss or grieve him in the slightest. He remains a single dog and is quite happy. I'm not sure I'd ever risk having two dogs again - the stress of them fighting and the thought of having to re-home one was just heartbreaking.
Since the Cocker died we haven't replaced him and would be a bit reluctant to have two dogs in the future for fear of them not getting on. It's such a shame as the early years were great and as many have said, dealing with two is not much more work than one.
What we found quite strange is that when the cocker died, despite the Springer always having him around, he didn't seem to miss or grieve him in the slightest. He remains a single dog and is quite happy. I'm not sure I'd ever risk having two dogs again - the stress of them fighting and the thought of having to re-home one was just heartbreaking.
Edited by Rh14n on Saturday 2nd December 09:30
Behavioural wise the vast majority of dogs will get on with each other. I personally would prefer male and female though or female and female. 2 males can be an issue (see above!). I would not get a rescue. IMHO.
At 1 year old your current dog will, IMHO, be fine. Might take a day or 2 to settle but so long as your current dog understands where they are in the pack they will probably enjoy a puppy. Most dogs do.
I think the main thing I underestimated was what it would be like having 2 elderly dogs.
My 2 house dogs were separated by 6 months. So when they were teenagers and having various meds, issues with incontinence, mental issues, blindness etc etc it was very very difficult to have 2.
Then when one passed the other was very upset and would just spend hours sniffing around (bad eyes by this point) for him. My working dog she howled non stop for about an hour when he went, but after that she was ok. She was only 7 at the time where as the other dog was 13. I think that helped.
If I was to have more dogs I would probably leave a bit more of a gap next time, 3-4 years.
At 1 year old your current dog will, IMHO, be fine. Might take a day or 2 to settle but so long as your current dog understands where they are in the pack they will probably enjoy a puppy. Most dogs do.
I think the main thing I underestimated was what it would be like having 2 elderly dogs.
My 2 house dogs were separated by 6 months. So when they were teenagers and having various meds, issues with incontinence, mental issues, blindness etc etc it was very very difficult to have 2.
Then when one passed the other was very upset and would just spend hours sniffing around (bad eyes by this point) for him. My working dog she howled non stop for about an hour when he went, but after that she was ok. She was only 7 at the time where as the other dog was 13. I think that helped.
If I was to have more dogs I would probably leave a bit more of a gap next time, 3-4 years.
We have 2. Completely different in every respect.
1 11 the other 3. 1 dog 1 bh. 1 lazy 1 active. 1 small 1 medium. 1 pampered 1 rescue. 1 loves water 1 hates water (or mud, or cold or wind). 1 obidient 1 not.
But they do seem in their own little ways to get on. Some times I'll go to take the active one for a walk leaving the lazy one behind, she'll refuse to go. I go back in the house collect the lazy one & carry him out & she's now good to go.
1 11 the other 3. 1 dog 1 b
h. 1 lazy 1 active. 1 small 1 medium. 1 pampered 1 rescue. 1 loves water 1 hates water (or mud, or cold or wind). 1 obidient 1 not.But they do seem in their own little ways to get on. Some times I'll go to take the active one for a walk leaving the lazy one behind, she'll refuse to go. I go back in the house collect the lazy one & carry him out & she's now good to go.
Edited by GT03ROB on Saturday 2nd December 13:15
HTP99 said:
simonas2702 said:
HTP99 said:
And yet my 3 kind of just tolerate each other, there's no real closeness between them as such, they don't snuggle up, the middle one feels threatened (there is absolutely no reason why this should be) by the older one, the younger one winds up the middle one when the older one is about, causing tension with him.
Largely they get on, but I would say that there is no closeness, they all kind of like their own space between themselves.
How bizarre and a shame really as its so nice when they get on Largely they get on, but I would say that there is no closeness, they all kind of like their own space between themselves.
t stiring things, it's kind of 2nd and 3rd against 1st.It is what it is, they largely get on, there aren't really fights just a bit of tension occasionally when it comes to 2nd against 1st, usually egged on by 3rd, only when we are on holiday do we seperate them, 1st to the MIL, 2nd and 3rd together to a friend.
2017 we left all 3 with my youngest for the first time, for 10 days, she would have been 18 and perfectly competent to look after them, she couldn't cope as it all kicked off massively with loads of continual aggro, 1st had to be separated permanently from 2nd and 3rd due to 2nd having a major issue with 1st.
They can be a nightmare when I'm away.
Edited by HTP99 on Friday 1st December 14:15
We currently have three. Have had one, two and three in the past and am glad to say that over the years they have all got on, including the cats
We have fostered a few over the last four years and most have fitted in just fine.
There have been exceptions though, so you never really know if they will settle together
We have always had 2, both different breeds almost all rescues. Usually 5 to 6 years between ages. Currently 18 month sprocket and a chiwawa which came via one of our foster children and never left when she did 5 years later. Chiwawa has knackered knee joints so needs a lot less walking than the sprocker. Imo it's no less agro 2 more than 1. We had meant to have a 1 dog period but never managed it😁. The advent of WiFi cameras has been great as allows us to see they are not distressed when we go out for a couple of hours.
Just trying to persuade Mrs to not get a forth, not doing very well at present.
That would be :
Irish setter
English setter
Cockerpoo
and new arrival, another English setter.
To be honest, one or 4 the additional work is negligible.
We have a big garden, they are well trained and people house sit when we go away.
That would be :
Irish setter
English setter
Cockerpoo
and new arrival, another English setter.
To be honest, one or 4 the additional work is negligible.
We have a big garden, they are well trained and people house sit when we go away.
It may work, it may not.
Starting 20 years ago, we had one dog only for 5 years, a border collie.
My wife decided to get her a companion, but got something twice her size.
After that every walk was a competition, with the collie having to catch the ball first or whatever.
The relationship never really worked.
Six years in and we had no dogs again, so got a border collie pup.
From time to time our daughter came to visit and brought her cocker spaniel.
About the third time she overthought pregnancy/new baby in the house and left the spaniel with us.
Actually the two dogs got on just fine, because the cocker was the stronger character and they already knew each other.
She taught him to swim and they went everywhere together.
Six months ago we lost the now 13 year old collie, and were left with just the 14 year old spaniel.
Went and adopted a 2 year old Lab/collie cross. He had been a lockdown puppy and not only did they have time for him, but also he didn't get on with their 10 year old Jack Russel.
A few jealousy issues to start with, had to read the riot act to the new dog a couple of times.
They now get along fine, though we stand between them at meal times for safety's sake.
They don't really play together because she is getting infirm, but they enjoy going out into the garden together.
So it can work, but it's a bit hit and miss predicting if it will.
Starting 20 years ago, we had one dog only for 5 years, a border collie.
My wife decided to get her a companion, but got something twice her size.
After that every walk was a competition, with the collie having to catch the ball first or whatever.
The relationship never really worked.
Six years in and we had no dogs again, so got a border collie pup.
From time to time our daughter came to visit and brought her cocker spaniel.
About the third time she overthought pregnancy/new baby in the house and left the spaniel with us.
Actually the two dogs got on just fine, because the cocker was the stronger character and they already knew each other.
She taught him to swim and they went everywhere together.
Six months ago we lost the now 13 year old collie, and were left with just the 14 year old spaniel.
Went and adopted a 2 year old Lab/collie cross. He had been a lockdown puppy and not only did they have time for him, but also he didn't get on with their 10 year old Jack Russel.
A few jealousy issues to start with, had to read the riot act to the new dog a couple of times.
They now get along fine, though we stand between them at meal times for safety's sake.
They don't really play together because she is getting infirm, but they enjoy going out into the garden together.
So it can work, but it's a bit hit and miss predicting if it will.
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