My marriage is breaking down and I'll soon be living on my own (no children). I work at home so our dog will be coming to live with me. She is a one year old poodle who we've had from a puppy.
At the moment, she doesn't get much attention during the day as I'm working, but I'm there for company. She tends to doze most of the day, despite having tons of toys. She really comes alive in the evenings when she gets a big walk, training and play - this is all split between the two of us at the moment - and I'll be doing it on my own in future. She much prefers to play with one of us than on her own.
When I live on my own, there will be some evenings where I'll want to be going out, and I'm really bothered about leaving her. She's a Velcro dog, loves company, and I think me leaving her once or twice a week will depress her, especially in the evenings when she usually gets a lot of human attention.
If it's during the day, it's not a problem as she can go into daycare. But doing this in the evening would mean overnight boarding, which seems excessive.
I'm thinking of getting a second dog so she has company on the occasions I do go out and also so she doesn't need to rely on me quite so much for entertainment.
The cons I can think of are:
Potential jealousy - although the benefits of a doggie friend might outweigh the jealousy for her?
How to train a second dog/get one on one time with the second dog when I have another wanting to play or have attention
Potential noisy play while I'm working
Difficulties managing two out on walks, getting in and out of car, etc.
Could potentially end up being even more work for me, rather than less, if my current dog still prefers to play with me than the new dog
Extra cost
Does anyone else have two dogs? How have you found it? Are you glad you got a second dog?
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Pros and cons of a second dog?
19 replies
DogsAtHome · 10/08/2016 15:04
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