Advice on getting another dog

[FrangiePangie]

I have a 3 year old lab bitch who is lovely but quite needy, and loves the company of other dogs. I have often wondered if getting another dog would be a good thing for her. I have been given the opportunity to rehome another lab dog of a similar age and temperament and I'm wondering if it would work.

What advice would you have for someone considering this?

[Veterinari]

Make sure that you want a second dog rather than just a 'companion' dog.

It could help, but it could also make no difference, or make your own dog's neediness worse if she has to compete for your affection/time as you build a relationship with the new dog.

[Wolfiefan]

I don't have two but grew up with two.
Can you give them their own space if necessary? Guessing she is spayed? What would happen if you needed to separate them for training or vet visit etc?
If the neediness is separation anxiety then another dog won't help if it's a person she wants. What form does it take?

[SingingTunelessly]

Only get another dog if YOU want one and have the time and resources to cope with two. Getting another dog to keep the first one company is a bit like having a second child because the first child demands your attention and you think they need a playmate. Not a great idea.

[Pippin8]

It's double the muddy paws, food, insurance & vets fees. But I'd say go for it, I always wanted two & rescued when my bitch was 1. We've not never looked back. My 2 love each other & my bitch has calmed down considerably.

[Ylvamoon]

What Pippin8 said. And, please consider the double training! While it's great fun to walk 2 dogs and see them play, they also need to be walked separate to make trips to the vet or illness easier for them. They need to learn and reinforce training commands separate and together to ensure you are in control all the time.
If I where you, I'd have the dog in question for a visit (overnight!) to see if your girl really wants an doggy companion.

[arbrighton]

We've just taken on FIL dog as a second dog. Timing was sh** as I'm seven months pregnant, but they were moving abroad.
However, she and our (first) dog are the same age and have known each other since pups anyway and so we knew what we were taking on and had a reasonable confidence that she'd fit in.
They can be separated but need to keep doing that occasionally to make sure that continues to be ok.

Walking them both is a bit tricky if on lead as she's a collie cross, so MUCH bigger and stronger than the mini-poodle but I generally let them both off on quiet paths near home but recall and lead the collie if she spots something as she 'stalks' and leaps and is a bit more intimidating/ able to knock you over.

DH and I have been going to the odd training class to reinforce commands but we both have to go and handle one dog each at that point. And we haven't quite got the hang of 'if I call one of you or tell you do x, y, z, it's only that one of you, not both....'

[fannydaggerz]

I have 4 dogs. Our bitch is the dominant one in the pack so the other 3 are boys.

Do you want another dog?

Take both dogs to neutral territory and see how they get on and take it from there.