Pros and Cons of getting a second dog...
Discussion
LordHaveMurci said:
Currently have a westie & asprocker, both rescues, sprocker about a year older we think.
Previously had a working cocker & a westie, also had a 3rd dog for a while.
The main downside is the cost, very little else in my experience. The upsides far outweigh any negatives.
He reminds me very much of Bob my late Westie. He had a 'happy' face. Someone stopped me in the street once and said 'doesn't your dog look happy?!' Previously had a working cocker & a westie, also had a 3rd dog for a while.
The main downside is the cost, very little else in my experience. The upsides far outweigh any negatives.
Husband and I went to look at a Mini Schnauzer, soon discovered the place was very much a puppy farm. In a cage on his own not looking well and the runt of the litter, was Bob. I couldn't get him out of my head and as much as I didn't want to fund a puppy farm we turned the car around half way home and went to get him.
He was very underweight, riddled with worms and very timid. He was quite the duff little dog. His ears never came up so up to the day we lost him at 14 (not long after this photo) he looked like a puppy. Despite his poor start in life he was a robust little guy. Never had a days illness in his life. He was a brilliant little thing, so friendly with everyone and my daughters constant companion. Still miss him now, he was ace
I have 3, and it's scarred me to the point I'll never have more than one again, possibly not even one. I love dogs, had them all my life, absolutely love to bits the 3 I have, but the work, hassle, need for routine and constant worry as 2 of them don't get along, has pretty much taken a huge chunk of my time and energy over the last 10 years, particularly when I've been dealing with 2 growing kids and a growing business.
My fault for getting 3 dogs at the wrong time, they want for nothing and are loved by all the family, but, as I said earlier, never ever again.
The last two people I met on walks that have gone from one to two have also regretted it, I've me plenty that don't though!
My fault for getting 3 dogs at the wrong time, they want for nothing and are loved by all the family, but, as I said earlier, never ever again.
The last two people I met on walks that have gone from one to two have also regretted it, I've me plenty that don't though!
IMO, a lot depends on your first dog.
Our boy came from a rescue because he was taken in to a home as a pup with a dog that didn't like him. Fights ensued, bullying from older to younger.
Our boy as a result is very reactive to other dogs, which is such a shame.
My in-laws got two rescues as pups - brothers. No issues at all, they lived a long and happy life. Largely didn't get in each other's way, each knew their space. Helped that they had different personalities and different 'favourites'
Our boy came from a rescue because he was taken in to a home as a pup with a dog that didn't like him. Fights ensued, bullying from older to younger.
Our boy as a result is very reactive to other dogs, which is such a shame.
My in-laws got two rescues as pups - brothers. No issues at all, they lived a long and happy life. Largely didn't get in each other's way, each knew their space. Helped that they had different personalities and different 'favourites'
We’ve got a working cocker and two show cockers.
I’ve also spent the last fortnight looking after a litter of show cocker puppies.
Thankfully my wife has finally come to the conclusion that three dogs are enough, we don’t need another four, so we will be looking for homes for four cocker pups in another five weeks or so.
Ours all get along but they do occasionally have their moments. I’d have been happy with just the one!
I’ve also spent the last fortnight looking after a litter of show cocker puppies.
Thankfully my wife has finally come to the conclusion that three dogs are enough, we don’t need another four, so we will be looking for homes for four cocker pups in another five weeks or so.
Ours all get along but they do occasionally have their moments. I’d have been happy with just the one!
We had one dog, a Pointer based rescue special and my parents decided to get a second, they spoke to the same place as we got the first and they said they had the perfect dog.
My parents took the 1st dog with them and on seeing the suggested 2nd dog my mum just didn't think she would 'gel' with her, the shocker was that 1st dog took one look, turned her back, sat down and totally ignored the suggested rescue!
The woman at the rescue centre was shocked, never having seen a dog 'blank' another in such a way. Another dog, Jack Russell X Staffie mix was brought out and things went rapidly downhill from there
they both dropped down and did the side to side dance thing before chasing each other around the office for a game of bitey face wall of death stylee, they got on like a house on fire and were inseperable for the next 10 years.
2nd dog was a stray and had an appetite that would make a Labrador look anorexic, when we lost the 1st dog she was off her food for a couple of days, looking back I don't think she really got over the loss of her bestie
My parents took the 1st dog with them and on seeing the suggested 2nd dog my mum just didn't think she would 'gel' with her, the shocker was that 1st dog took one look, turned her back, sat down and totally ignored the suggested rescue!
The woman at the rescue centre was shocked, never having seen a dog 'blank' another in such a way. Another dog, Jack Russell X Staffie mix was brought out and things went rapidly downhill from there
they both dropped down and did the side to side dance thing before chasing each other around the office for a game of bitey face wall of death stylee, they got on like a house on fire and were inseperable for the next 10 years.2nd dog was a stray and had an appetite that would make a Labrador look anorexic, when we lost the 1st dog she was off her food for a couple of days, looking back I don't think she really got over the loss of her bestie
I got a second dog a couple of years ago as a litter came up within the family and since I knew both dogs personally, I pulled the trigger. The dog was 12 at the time and didn’t have an amazing track record with other dogs (hence how I ended up with him in the first place) but he was good with females so I opted for a b
h pup. After a couple of years he never really got to like her due to her being so energetic (spaniel madness) but never got into too many fights either. Just have to keep them separate whilst out and even when I’m in, they don’t mix but it’s completely down to his behaviour rather than the females. She would be an amazing sister to another dog but his personality doesn’t match hers. That said, I don’t regret getting a second dog as he is very much a house dog these days and I like my long walks so it works out quite well. At the time I got my second dog, he was beginning to slow down and I couldn’t keep forcing him to walk miles a day at such an age. However, she is no good as a lap dog and will only settle down when forced to do I’ve got a nice calm lap dog and a mad dog for those country walks (10k a day usually).
h pup. After a couple of years he never really got to like her due to her being so energetic (spaniel madness) but never got into too many fights either. Just have to keep them separate whilst out and even when I’m in, they don’t mix but it’s completely down to his behaviour rather than the females. She would be an amazing sister to another dog but his personality doesn’t match hers. That said, I don’t regret getting a second dog as he is very much a house dog these days and I like my long walks so it works out quite well. At the time I got my second dog, he was beginning to slow down and I couldn’t keep forcing him to walk miles a day at such an age. However, she is no good as a lap dog and will only settle down when forced to do I’ve got a nice calm lap dog and a mad dog for those country walks (10k a day usually).We are in the same position. Swmbo would do it tomorrow but im more cautious. Currently we have a Theo who is an absolute delight. Will walk for miles despite his size. And does not have a bad bone in his body. He is half chicihuahau and I fancy bringing in another chi. But I worry about how it will go down with the T dog.
This state of relaxation has taken 6 months to achieve.
We have had two dogs for the last 15 years, so when we lost our elderly border collie to a stroke back in May, we decided to get another dog a few weeks later.
The 14 year old brown spaniel bh (Sky) was perfectly happy on her own, it was us who wanted a second dog, a fun dog to play with and have fun with.
The lab/collie cross (Marley) was rehomed from a family where he had been bought as a pup, and their existing 10 year old cross jack russell had simply refused to accept the new dog. So they reluctantly had to re-home the now 2 year old dog, as the older dog would have been a problem to re-home.
All fine on the journey home, Marley was actually comforted to be travelling with another dog, but he didn't take to being under-dog again in his new home, and we had to stamp on his growly bad manners right from the start. Being firm worked, like children they understand rules and discipline, no need to go over the top, just be consistent. He is a remarkably intelligent dog and understands rules.
After 6 months they are both now into the routine, travel everywhere together, and he follows her from sniffing spot to sniffing spot on the dog walks.
The only thing we have to do is to stay present at feeding time until both have finished, to stop him from stealing her food.
This photo is the first time we have seen the two settled down that close together. He had actually nicked her seat on the sofa, the one with the towel, and she had jumped up next to him to see if she could persuade him gently on the error of his ways, but she had given up and they had been side by side for about 15 minutes when I took the photo.
We have had two dogs for the last 15 years, so when we lost our elderly border collie to a stroke back in May, we decided to get another dog a few weeks later.
The 14 year old brown spaniel b
h (Sky) was perfectly happy on her own, it was us who wanted a second dog, a fun dog to play with and have fun with.The lab/collie cross (Marley) was rehomed from a family where he had been bought as a pup, and their existing 10 year old cross jack russell had simply refused to accept the new dog. So they reluctantly had to re-home the now 2 year old dog, as the older dog would have been a problem to re-home.
All fine on the journey home, Marley was actually comforted to be travelling with another dog, but he didn't take to being under-dog again in his new home, and we had to stamp on his growly bad manners right from the start. Being firm worked, like children they understand rules and discipline, no need to go over the top, just be consistent. He is a remarkably intelligent dog and understands rules.
After 6 months they are both now into the routine, travel everywhere together, and he follows her from sniffing spot to sniffing spot on the dog walks.
The only thing we have to do is to stay present at feeding time until both have finished, to stop him from stealing her food.
This photo is the first time we have seen the two settled down that close together. He had actually nicked her seat on the sofa, the one with the towel, and she had jumped up next to him to see if she could persuade him gently on the error of his ways, but she had given up and they had been side by side for about 15 minutes when I took the photo.
We've always had two dogs ... when losing one, the remaining dog has always had a new puppy dumped on them and its never really started that well. Our last Collie who was 8 when we lost our last Rhodesian who was 8, had a new Rhodeisian puppy thrust on him and he was asserting his authority over it for 2-3 weeks ... they finally started to play (roughly) and developed a great bond.
We lost that collie after almost 15 years in October 2023 and brought home a new Collie at the end of November 2023. The Rhodesian was not happy ... and has continued to be this way until the past week or two, where his stance on being top dog seems to have softened and they are playing and bonding.
Puppy's don't give up ... despite getting a thrashing, they will go back for more until eventually the bond is created. Its just takes longer with some dogs than others.
We lost that collie after almost 15 years in October 2023 and brought home a new Collie at the end of November 2023. The Rhodesian was not happy ... and has continued to be this way until the past week or two, where his stance on being top dog seems to have softened and they are playing and bonding.
Puppy's don't give up ... despite getting a thrashing, they will go back for more until eventually the bond is created. Its just takes longer with some dogs than others.
Well, the hell hound has now been home for 24 hours. Older boy is intrigued but indifferent so far. Neville has had a nibble at him which resulted in older boy having a snap but that’s fine as Nev needs to learn his boundaries.
They have played together a little and both are currently asleep on the sofa (not together, we haven’t progressed that far yet)
Hopefully things remain this calm
They have played together a little and both are currently asleep on the sofa (not together, we haven’t progressed that far yet)
Hopefully things remain this calm
SistersofPercy said:
Well, the hell hound has now been home for 24 hours. Older boy is intrigued but indifferent so far. Neville has had a nibble at him which resulted in older boy having a snap but that’s fine as Nev needs to learn his boundaries.
They have played together a little and both are currently asleep on the sofa (not together, we haven’t progressed that far yet)
Hopefully things remain this calm
Congratulations from a household with three dogs and two cats They have played together a little and both are currently asleep on the sofa (not together, we haven’t progressed that far yet)
Hopefully things remain this calm
Looking forward to the photos
SistersofPercy said:
Well, the hell hound has now been home for 24 hours. Older boy is intrigued but indifferent so far. Neville has had a nibble at him which resulted in older boy having a snap but that’s fine as Nev needs to learn his boundaries.
They have played together a little and both are currently asleep on the sofa (not together, we haven’t progressed that far yet)
Hopefully things remain this calm
They have played together a little and both are currently asleep on the sofa (not together, we haven’t progressed that far yet)
Hopefully things remain this calm
Well, we're a little over a week in and it's going okay. Murph has put Nev in his place a few times with a loud snappy bark, at one point scaring a loud squeak out of Neville which seemed to get the message through and was amusing 
. Nev is all teeth at present and a little shark, Murphy has a long beard so you can imagine how thats going. We're leaving them to it a lot and are ready to step in if needed but they seem to be finding ground, even sharing a water bowl and a lick mat.
Current dilemma is how much to trust them. Neville has a pen in the kitchen, if left in it he will howl the house down. He is not at all impressed and honestly I feel for Murphs ears, it also transpires he can now escape said pen by sliding the door lock..... Had to nip out earlier and came home to silence. Silence is always suspicious and i opened the door to find them both sat, tails wagging, in the middle of the kitchen. It appears when he's free and left in the same space as Murphy he settles and doesn't cry. I'm debating short stints of leaving them in the same room and watching them on a camera to see how they settle.
I really had forgotten how much hard work this was though!
. Nev is all teeth at present and a little shark, Murphy has a long beard so you can imagine how thats going. We're leaving them to it a lot and are ready to step in if needed but they seem to be finding ground, even sharing a water bowl and a lick mat.Current dilemma is how much to trust them. Neville has a pen in the kitchen, if left in it he will howl the house down. He is not at all impressed and honestly I feel for Murphs ears, it also transpires he can now escape said pen by sliding the door lock..... Had to nip out earlier and came home to silence. Silence is always suspicious and i opened the door to find them both sat, tails wagging, in the middle of the kitchen. It appears when he's free and left in the same space as Murphy he settles and doesn't cry. I'm debating short stints of leaving them in the same room and watching them on a camera to see how they settle.
I really had forgotten how much hard work this was though!
I find it really interesting how dogs react like this together. If you don't trust young Nev at this stage put him in the pen but in the same room, then there is no separation anxiety. That way he'll have the company without the destruction. It worked with our dark destroying terrier. You must be able to secure the door with a plastic bag tie, rubber band or similar? Or simply push the pen with the door against furniture so he can't get out. 
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