Two dogs are harder than one...are they?

[MaureenSowerbutts]

Ddog is 3, well behaved, good temperament always been an angel.

Since we got him we have talked on and off about getting a second dog. There will soon be a puppy avaliable and i would really like to add to the family, puppy is same breed.

I know ddog might take a while to adjust and I am prepared to sleep downstairs until both are settled and happy.

We both work from home, ample space in house and garden.

DH thinks I'm being a bit naive thinking it won't be too hard and I am in for a shock.

Please tell me your stories of happy dog and puppy...or your stories of disaster, it will all help.

[BittersweetMemories]

I honestly don't find having two any more work than having one 🤷🏻‍♀️

[MaureenSowerbutts]

@BittersweetMemories did you have one first and introduce the second?

[BittersweetMemories]

Yes, the older one was 7 when we introduced the little one as a puppy! They are now 11 and 4 and the little one just copies everything the bigger one does so it's just like having a duplicate dog 😂

[FizzAfterSix]

It’s much easier having 2 as they keep each other company.
Dogs are pack animals and like a buddy.

[DarkDisquiet]

I didn't find two harder than one, but three suddenly seems a lot. When one day we sadly lose one of our three, I shall be sticking with two!

Problem is, like some people get broody with babies, I get broody for dogs!

[howlathebees]

I find it easier having 2

[PrayingandHoping]

Much easier having 2! Will never go back to one.

Eldest dog was nearly 6 when we got 2nd

[MaureenSowerbutts]

@BittersweetMemories that's a much bigger age gap than we will have so that's reassuring. Have done a bit of research and it mentions that is often the case and the younger one imitates the older one.

@FizzAfterSix exactly, I think ddog would really benefit from it.

[Pipandmum]

My first one was two when we got another. I crate trained them - never slept with them (they sleep on the bed with me now).
After the puppy/chewing/housetraining bit they really are no more work. In fact my second dog is a much more obedient dog.
Beware double the vet and boarding costs though.

[MaureenSowerbutts]

Why is it easier, simply because they have company and are more settled?

[Nucleoli]

I'm going against the trend to say that two is much harder!

When my first dog was one years old I got a second, who is his biological half brother. Prior to the second dog, my first had calmed down, was walking nicely on lead, relaxing chewing a bone during the day etc

Well...they sure as hell act like brothers! Boisterous play fighting all day long, walks have turned into a military operation as they hype each other up so much, one barks at a squirrel in the garden and the other starts up as a side kick.

That said, they absolutely adore each other, and I'm so pleased that they can keep each other company. What did I expect when I put two from a top 10 naughtiest breed together

[PrayingandHoping]

They learn from older dog for starters.... so that helps.

They aren't so demanding and if anything u have to make sure that pup gives U attention and isn't just following older dog around.

But being able to leave them knowing they are just much happier now they have each other is just a massive thing to me. My eldest was always borderline SA and had to be crated to manage it but within a week of younger coming along he was fine. Crate is now long gone and I can leave him anywhere in any house and I know he's always fine. Even his dog sitter said he was just a more chilled out dog.

We still have a v strong bond though. That doesn't go. He just also now loves his sidekick younger brother too

[MaureenSowerbutts]

@Nucleoli that sounds like hard work but fun!

@PrayingandHoping thanks that's reassuring, ddog and I have a very strong bond and I do worry that will change and that he will feel replaced in my affections.

We are lucky that we don't often have to leave ddog, since lockdown not at all!

But, when we do we have a camera on so we can see he is OK, knowing that he has company though would definitely stop us worrying.

[yikesanotherbooboo]

I found two dogs easier than one. We inherited a young dog when ours was 2 . They became firm friends and always had each other for company and comfort. There is twice the mud and hair. New DDog was used to barking a lot and taught old DDog to join in which was annoying there were a few other minor irritations but on the whole I found it good having the two.

[GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman]

The puppy stage will still be a nightmare...

But as PP have said, the younger dog learns from the older one. If the older one has bad habits (poor recall and similar), just make sure the younger one has ample training time alone. I put a lot of effort into training our last puppy and she has ended up having a beneficial impact on our older dog in many ways.

[MaureenSowerbutts]

@GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman I'm just worried about how much of a nightmare.

Sensible advice re the training, ddog is not bad but there is always room for improvement!

[AlwaysLatte]

We had my mums dog for 6 months, and it was surprisingly easy (not a puppy though!)
I still won't get another one though as it's 2x kennel fees if you go away (or 2x pet passports etc), 2x insurance, 2x vet fees, etc. So for cost reasons I will stick to one.

[MaureenSowerbutts]

Yes we have discussed all those issues, and financially that should be OK.

We have good insurance and could double that without issue. The additional boarding costs we would just factor into cost of any holiday although I'm not sure we will be going abroad any time soon.

[NightOwl19]

I have 4 DDogs and the hardest was when we got DDog 3 and as she's a giant breed and very dominant personality she soon asserted herself as pack leader but it wasn't to bad at all. They tire themselves out together, cuddle together and don't like being separated.

[MaureenSowerbutts]

@NightOwl19 4 ddogs?!!

I am loving the idea of them being friends and cuddling...hope it would go that way!

[Notfeelinggreattoday]

I didn't find two harder on looking after but where as family will have the one dog when we go away , nobody wanted two so boarding kennels cost a bit more and obviously vets bills x 2
Also ours took a while to like each other and it wasn't an easy process but totally depends in the dog

[LaurieFairyCake]

We got a second dog a month ago. A 10 month old, our other dog is 4.

In some ways much, much easier as they play with toys together. The younger follows the older for toileting. Not had to train the younger as the older dog has done it.

Harder in one way as they're a bit noisier - if one barks at horses on the Tv the other does.

My older dog is so happy to have a wee brother as she's always got someone to play with - and they now curl up together which is just so adorable.

[LaurieFairyCake]

Scottie plus Puggle

[MaureenSowerbutts]

@LaurieFairyCake less training sounds appealing and yours look so cute.

I was expecting lots of people giving me their horror stories.. think you have all sold it to me though. Pups are due tomorrow and I'll be registering my interest!

[CharlottesComplicatedWeb]

I’d love another but sadly, my golden retriever is a stroppy, guardie “only child”. She’s 5 1/2 so, it’ll be a long time before we can have another.