They enjoy friendly interactions with familiar humans or other animals and tend to avoid isolation. That being said, every dog is different has its own temperament and preferences. Some dogs prefer to live alone with their owners, while others prefer having another dog friend in the house.
Dogs are social animals and love companionship. When they're left alone for long periods of time, they can become anxious and stressed. But if they have another dog to keep them company, that separation anxiety is greatly reduced.
The short answer is yes. One of the emotions dogs can feel is loneliness. As you may know, dogs are pack animals and social creatures, and for this reason, they don't like spending too much time alone.
Double the Love
Having two dogs can feel like a lot of work sometimes, but the pros definitely outweigh the cons. From easier training to better mental and emotional health (for you and your dogs!), to saving the lives of animals, there are so many solid reasons to adopt a second dog today.
Before settling on a breed, think about the gender of the dog. For the happiest dogs and the safest household, opposite sex dogs almost always do best together. Many same-sex combinations of dogs will fight, sometimes to the death. Those who work out a dominance order may not fare much better.
A pair of dogs can love to play and help entertain each other. If you have a dog that struggles with separation anxiety or is destructive when bored, adding another dog can eliminate behavior problems.
In dogdom, there's a turn of phrase called, "Second Dog Syndrome". This describes the process of adding another dog to the home quite well, but not necessarily in a positive light. As humans, we are bound to forget all of the time and effort it takes to raise a puppy right.
Specific separation anxiety normally dictates the dog must have a unique human or dog in his or her presence to avoid anxiety. If your dog has been diagnosed with simple isolation distress by a certified dog behaviorist, there is a fair chance another dog may actually help with his or her separation anxiety.
We recommend that you walk your pooch, on average, 3 to 4 times a day for about 15 minutes. However, frequency also depends on the particular dog's: Breed.
Most dogs will sleep more when they are relaxed and there isn't a good motivation for them to be active. Since they don't have smartphones, jobs, or homework, sleeping is a way for them to pass the day, especially if they are home alone.
And while some dogs do actually enjoy a bit of alone time, and are more than happy entertaining themselves, others do require lots of care and attention. You're eventually going to have to leave your furry friend alone for a sustained period of time, so it's important to prepare.
Most experts agree that, as a rule, male and female dogs get along better than two females or two males.
Many breeders recommend that your first dog be at least one-to-two-years old before you add a second to the family. If you have an old dog, they may not be physically able to play with or tolerate a pup.
Introduction of a New Pet
Bringing home a new puppy or another adult dog can trigger jealousy in your dog, and they may show signs of aggression toward the new addition. Your dog might growl at the new dog, guard your lap, or try to get in between you and your new furry family member.
For example, if you get a new pet and start paying it more attention than your dog, the dog will not feel betrayed in the true sense of the word. However, it may show signs of distress and disappointment because it is suddenly being treated differently or being deprived of something it is used to getting.
Other pets might bring some comfort to your anxious dog, but they won't cure their separation anxiety. Unfortunately, the short answer to the question “Will getting another dog help my dog with separation anxiety”, is usually no.
Canine Companionship
One benefit of having two is that they'll keep each other company. If the dogs get along well, the companionship will prevent boredom. They'll be occupied, which means the dogs will have less time for bad behaviors, such as chewing things they aren't supposed to.
Make sure you keep giving your first pet all the same attention as before, so as not to make it feel suspicious; if the two dogs fight, don't pay more attention to the little one just because it is more vulnerable, or shout at the adult, or they will feel like they are losing their role as leader of the pack.
You should typically select a dog with the opposite gender as your current dog. Why you ask? In each pack there is usually a top male and top female dog. If you have one of each, they won't be vying for the same position.
It can take up to one month for an old dog and new dog to really settle in and accept each other's position in the pack. If you want a second dog, you need to be ready to commit to this process and not panic.