One dog considering a second

[Choccogoingcuckoo]

Does anyone have experience of going from one dog to two and positives and negatives of this?

I already have a 5 yr old cocker spaniel and am considering re-homing a 3 yr old cocker spaniel who I am told is well trained and we'll behaved. Both dogs are bitches.

I have thought about the financial side of this, double the food, double the pet insurance, vet fees etc.

I have requested to see the dog and if that goes well for the dog to come to my home and to see how both dogs interact with one another.

[ThespianTendencies]

I have just got dog 2! I got her home last week and have a 5 yo lab in residence. NO experience of rehoming another adult though as dog2 is 9 weeks old. I would definitely see how the get along at the meeting. it is hard work balancing your attention!

[Scandicat]

We have a three year old cocker and recently got a cocker puppy. I always had a sense that my older dog would like a companion and its worked really well. Older dog is a male and younger female though. Both are very affectionate so I tend to get cuddled to death by them. They play fight and are starting to settle together in the evenings now puppy is less in the crate.

Overall, I've been so glad we were brave enough. No real negatives from having them both that I can think of.

[nmg85]

We have a nearly 3.5 yr old working cocker spaniel bitch and a nearly 18 month old working cocker spaniel dog. We got the 2nd as a rescue when he was 9 months old when he had no / minimal training. It has been hard work from that respect but the 2 dogs together has been no issue. One minute they are indifferent to each other and the next they are play fighting and running around like maniacs. Our dog very much attempts to protect our girl but bless he is very much a baby and backs down if it gets scary :-). Two dogs if well trained etc is easy and not much difference apart from the possible fighting for attention. Be warned of bad behaviour rubbing off from one dog to another though! Eg breaking the jumping up behaviour and then being right back to square 1 again when new dog has no manners!

[Singlebutmarried]

We got Dog 1 in Aug 16 and Dog 2 in Dec 16

There’s just over 3 months between them and the ‘baby’ it twice the size of the older one and they’re inseparable.

We’ve always had two dogs. One just seems not quite right.

[Choccogoingcuckoo]

Thanks, I've noted interest and just waiting to hear back.

My dog is very attached to me, I am a little concerned with jealous/protective behaviours but I've got enough arms for two of them to cuddle!

She is used to pack walks and loves playing with the other dogs so no issues here but may be different when the other dog is in her territory?!

[nmg85]

They will meet before you decide anyway so you can see how they get on. Also if it does all go ahead make sure you introduce them on neutral territory again and just take it slowly. Ours weren't left alone for a few days at least

[Getoffthetableplease]

I thought two would be double the work, but in fact my house seems like a circus with them both now . Definitely a lot more chaos and mess etc than I expected. Aside from loving both, it is nice to see them together and not feel guilty when we're out etc though.

[ThespianTendencies]

I have recently upgraded to two dogs and it is hard work! Little dog cannot go out yet so I have to take big dog out when she is sleeping in her crate or carry her with me and shorten his walks. He is not enamoured with her so I have to supervise them when they are together as she just wants to play and he is tolerant but not keen! the housetraining is pretty much as you would expect. I am on it like a ninja - taking her out frequently. I do feel a bit stir crazy as I am not really able to go out far or for long - most I have done is go food shopping whene she is asleep. I am shattered

[sunflowersandroses]

We have 2 dogs, both girls, with a large age gap (currently 14 and 3.5). Rescued the 3.5yr old. On first meeting 3.5yr old was very interested in 14yr old, but old girl hated the little one (too puppyish still at 18 months old at the time, wanting to play and giddy). Took about 4 weeks of the 14yr old giving us dirty looks and keeping her distance with some snaps at 3.5yr old to let her know her place, but since then its been absolutely fine, they lay together, play together and everything. I think the little one makes the older one feel a bit younger haha.

Some jealousy issues is all that remain e.g. if I'm stroking one the other one makes sure you know she's watching. But no fighting.

3.5yr old was less well trained due to previous owner's lack (IMO) of proper training e.g. name recall. But in the 2 years she has been with us, she has greatly improved.

[VivienneWestwoodsKnickers]

We dog sat a friend's dog for a fortnight, and it was actually easier than one dog! They played with each other a lot, so our girl was a lot less needy than usual, and was more tired, so slept better than normal!

We're thinking about another dog, but I can't afford to pay double the daycare costs, so we'll have to wait until DH retires from the military in 3 ye.

[honeyroar]

I would never have a single dog again after having two. Despite the original dog not liking having competition for our attention at first, they grew to be great friends and were joined at the hip. The first dog died about six weeks ago, and dog 2 has been absolutely devastated. One thing I would say is have similar type of dogs - we got a third dog a couple of years ago, and while they get on, they're not as close as dogs 1&2 were because they don't "play the same games".

[MonaTheMoaner]

We have had two dogs for years and I’d never go back to one dog now. They love socialising so being at home they have a playmate and companionship.

The first few weeks of introduction are always the most challenging but once they’ve figured each other out and established the pack order it’s been smooth sailing.

[user1497997754]

Def go for it we have 2 golden retrievers and would not go back to having just 1 it is easier with 2 and they love each other and play together it's lovely

[bluetongue]

I’m looking at going from one dog to two. My whippet just isn’t happy being an only dog even though he gets plenty of outings and goes to daycare 2-3 days a week. I’ve decided that in my situation I have to chose between two dogs or no dogs

[captainjackandjill]

Hi Op,

Can you introduce the dogs to each other outside of the home (somewhere neutral)? It will cut down on your current dog feeling like she needs to defend her space when she first meets the other dog. We did this with out last rescue. We took our bossy girl to meet him and it made everything really easy. She even rode home with him which helped to calm him as he'd been abused and was really stressed.

I wish you the best! Having dogs has been one of the very best parts of our lives, and I'm sure yours too. Thank you for looking at adopting an adult dog!!

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

Two dogs is great. It took about a month for first dog to accept second dog.

As pp suggested, I’d introduce on neutral territory first. Even if it is just outside your house on the pavement. If that is fine, a second meeting in the home.

[Wallywobbles]

I have a cocker and a springer. They fight almost to the death. The cocker would have been better off as an only dog. The problems are mostly caused by the springer but the cocker has food guarding issues.

[wysteriafloribunba]

I wanted to get dog1 a friend, but that was a naive and very human perspective on things. Dog1 saw dog2 as an intruder on his territory and made it clear he was not welcome.

It took 2 years for them to settle for an amicable truce. They tolerate but largely avoid each other. Would I do it again? No.

[StandardPoodle]

When we got the standard poodle pup, we already had an older rescue bitch, a spaniel cross (we suspect there's a lot of collie in her too).
It's been brilliant, I'd always have 2 now if possible.
We went opposite sex for the pup and introduced them on the back garden (let the old bitch "find " the pup).
He copied her - he was virtually house trained when he came to us but followed her out to wee and poo - we had maybe 5 accidents in the house and that was our fault in not being quick enough when he needed to go out.
He also copied her (very swift) recall - given his speed we call him the exocet when we call him.
We were fortunate in having no clash of temperament or hierarchy with our 2 - the old bitch is the boss and tells the youngster (he's 3 now) off if he pushes it. He is exceptionally good natured, and knows she's boss - so just accepts it.
You do need 2 arms in use at the same time if stroking one dog though - the other will come to ask for a fuss at the same time!