Second dog

[Wonderland19]

I would post on the pet forum but it looks fairly quiet.

I know this is probably more a question only I can answer, but would we be absolutely bonkers to get a second dog. The breed we have at the moment is very chilled, low maintenance and would get the same breed as a companion for this reason, dog is getting upset when being left.

I know it's extra insurance etc but is the cost difference really that huge, again the breed is relatively small so doesn't eat a huge amount. Parents would help with one dog but not two, solution would be one would go to the home board and one to my parent's? If we went away for a weekend or week. Again an added cost but I guess I see it that we would be paying that anyway if my parent's didn't help.

Anyone with two dog's what's it like?

We have 2. They are different breeds. We rescued the first aged 18 months and she had never been let off the lead so her recall was none existent. We got a border collie puppy 6 months later who was very good at herding her and seemed to calm her down. They are very different characters, don't seem particularly close but complement each other quite well. They don't like being separated though so bear that in mind when you talk about them going different places for holidays. We don't holiday without ours now. I worry about them too much when we're not around so we have embraced camping!

At one time we had three. They ARE more expensive and more of a tie than one. , you will have to boarding kennel both if your parents circumstance change .
When you go to visit friends, nobody wants you to bring multiple dogs. When they come to visit you, some who tolerated one will be less comfortable with two. Holidy rental cottages generally only allow one dog.

Nobody ever found that having two children was no more trouble than having one.... dogs are no different.

I've always had two or three dogs and the only difference is cost . They were always great mates .

I often regret getting my second dog. If there wasn’t so much stigma around failed rescue dogs he would have gone back. As it is I have him and he’s really hard work. If you’re happy with one dog then don’t rock the boat - I’m sure my first dog would have been happier being an only dog forever. It’s not double the fun it’s double the work and double the cost. Mine don’t really play together either

Do NOT get another dog if yours is upset being left. You are likely to end up with two upset dogs. Solve this first then add a dog.

Getting dog no.2 was the best thing we did. Different breed, both girls. Dog no.1 had been a kennel dog before coming to us and she couldn't cope with being left on her own for 5 minutes. She's so happy now with her buddy. Both as bonkers as each other and there's nothing better than watching them play together and cuddle up together. It is hard work when they both come back filthy from every walk and need a full hose down and dry. Hard work when they're pulling to get a nose ahead on a walk. But honestly wouldn't change any of it and couldn't go back to having one dog, seeing how much they love each other. Mine would struggle if I split them for holidays - 30 mins apart for a vet trip and you'd think they'd been apart for week!