It's often more than twice as difficult for one person to train two young dogs at the same time. Young dogs may also bond to each other and be less likely to create as strong a bond with you.
Dogs are social animals and usually happier around other dogs, but a second dog will never be a substitute for inattentive, absent or too busy owners.
All canines need individual focus, attention, play, and training daily, in addition to regular grooming. Having multiple dogs means an increase in the daily time spent playing and working with your dogs to make sure each is getting enough attention.
Whether you are considering adding another pup to the family, a totally different kind of pet, or if you are expecting a baby of your own, it is quite possible that your doggo will feel sad and even replaced at the presence of a new family member.
Two dogs can share toys, beds, grooming products, water bowls, larger bags of food, and treats. Safer for you and your furry family members. Two dogs protecting the home are better than one. Also, when you have two pups, they will take care of each other.
Dogs are inherently social animals that live well together in groups, but that does not mean that all dogs get along. Most dogs will welcome a new sibling, but it is not always smooth sailing. The furry family member you have now will face many changes when a new dog enters the picture and may feel a bit displaced.
Allocate the Time and Resources for Another Pup
You also have to keep in mind that you'll need to invest extra for essential gear — collars, leashes and crates, to name a just a few items — as well as unexpected vet visits, potential boarding and possible pet sitters and dog walkers.
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, he may not be physically able to play with or tolerate a pup.
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.
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. Below is info to help you decide whether this step is for you and if so, how to make it successful.
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.
By having two dogs, it provides companionship while you are away. Both dogs are less likely to get lonely, and instead, have someone to sleep with, play with, and socialize with while you are gone.
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.
Getting your dog a companion usually doesn't help an anxious dog because their anxiety is the result of their separation from you, not just the result of being alone.
Most experts agree that, as a rule, male and female dogs get along better than two females or two males. However, that being said, I've known many households (including my own) that successfully have two of the same gender dogs without any problems at all.
Whether you rescue an older dog or a puppy, a lot of dogs tend to follow the 3-3-3 rule when getting acclimated: 3 days of feeling overwhelmed and nervous. 3 weeks of settling in. 3 months of building trust and bonding with you.
The bottom line on adding another dog
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.
When you're very bonded to your older dog and you get a new puppy it's natural to feel a bit … guilty. If any of you have experienced this, you'll have to let me know in the comments or email ([email protected]). My senior dog Ace and I are very bonded.
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. Don't worry though, the good news is that most dogs can be left alone for short periods of time.
Will you ever be ready to share your life with another dog? There is no way to say for certain when the time is right to get a new dog. This is a very individual decision that often happens organically. Some people only wait days to weeks, possibly because they cannot bear to go long without a canine companion.