Recently, we've had quite a few clients and prospective clients reach out about their growing canine family. When Loki passed away in 2017, Mark and I stayed as a one-dog, one-cat household. I often think about getting a second dog again. (I have kept my eye out on local rescues and already have a breeder picked out, it's cool.)
Even though adoption/puppy fever gets me a lot, we have honestly decided in our heart of hearts that staying a one dog household is right for us and for Fenrir.
Whenever it gets too hard to say no, I ask myself these questions to see if we really want or need a second dog. Getting another dog isn't just twice the expense - it's a lot more work!
1. Is your dog interested in a permanent friend?
Even if your dog loves other dogs, that doesn't necessarily mean they'll be thrilled to have a friend around 24/7. Does your dog exhibit any behavior issues when they get tired or frustrated, such as guarding toys/bones during or after play? Do they value their space and get grumpy if someone invades? Fenrir loves to play other dogs, but when she's tired, she'll get snappy when they approach her toys. So NO to this one for us.
If your dog doesn't love other dogs outside of the home, having a live-in one probably won't help!
2. Is your dog the right age?
Getting a second dog is more work for you, and also more work for your dog! If you have a dog over the age of 7 (which counts as senior, whether your dog knows it or not), getting a puppy or adolescent may not be fair. That's like getting a 60-something year old human a toddler. Sure, they're cute for a bit...but you don't need to be keeping track of someone racing around the house like a sugared up madman 24/7. Dogs get tired just like we do, and a tired adult may not enjoy helping you raise a baby.
3. Are you prepared to handle any issues that arise?
Adding a new dog almost always creates some level of issue - just like getting a roommate or having siblings as a human! Your dog may guard their spaces, food, toys, treats, YOU, or something else as theirs. You may also find they get cranky and don't get along some times. Are you ready to break up potential fights and adjust your routine to make it work? That may include teaching dogs to wait at doors to go out one at a time to prevent frustration and teaching dogs to share.
4. Have you found the right match?
The heart wants what the heart wants, but when you are selecting a second dog, getting the right fit makes the biggest difference for success. Getting a dog of the opposite sex is the most likely to set you up for success - female-female households tend to have the most fighting. Male-male has less, and mixed sex the least issues of all. Is the new dog a good match personality-wise? If you have a dog who tends to be pushy, then getting a calm dog who is happy to walk away will make your life easier. If your dog is high energy, then getting another high energy dog will make a hurricane of your household. Getting an easy going dog who likes to play but has an off switch will help your dog learn to turn off too.
5. Are you ready for inexplicably more than 2x the work?
Somehow, having two dogs is 3-4x more work! You've got not only double the expenses, but also more exercise and mental stimulation to provide. Dogs will play with each other to a certain point, but they still need guidance, training, and one-on-one time with you.
If you've answered no to one or more of the questions, your dog may be a lot happier as an only child. Welcome to our club!
If you've answered yes to all these questions, then let me suggest a trial run first. We recently pet sat for a friend for 10 days. Fenrir absolutely loves his dog, but after four days, she was tired of playing and sharing her stuff and began to get grumpy. We learned she loves friends but is a big fan of Ben Franklin's saying: "A guest, like a fish, begins to smell after three days."
One final thought: you can carefully plan through all of this, get what looks like the exact right new dog, and end up having issues. You could also plan nothing, wing it completely, and end up with two dogs who couldn't love each other more. That's the trial and joy of living creatures - sometimes they surprise us!
Have you added a second dog to your home? How did it go?
Best,
Lauren
How many times have you heard “there are no bad dogs, only bad owners” on social media? It’s usually used to explain aggressive or other dangerous behaviors for rescue dogs. We’ve also seen clients use it on themselves. “If I were a better owner/If I were less anxious/it’s my fault my dog is like this.”
We are calling bull!
I know, this goes against what we call common sense. But I promise, there are reasons behind my madness.
The thought is: my dog is afraid of strangers. My dog loves food. Having strangers feed my dog treats will teach my dog that the stranger is good! Seems reasonable, except unfortunately, that’s not how fearful dogs work.
The reality is: if your dog is truly fearful, then at best, this doesn’t impact your dog’s distress - no real improvement but no dramatic change. At worst: this could cause a bite.
Here’s why:
