Would my dog like to live with another dog?

[Zakinthos]

I am sorely tempted to get another dog (have seen an ex-breeding llasa apso 6 year old boy on many tears website!) but worry that my very laid back 2 year old cavalier x bichon would not like another dog invading her space. She is a totally chilled, but very sociable dog. She likes company but is happy with her own company too if it involves sleeping. She will not always get out of her bed straight away to greet me when I come home at lunchtime after work, unless she hears the fridge being opened. She is a perfect dog really and although she enjoys playing with other small dogs, I just worry that she would not want to live with one. Any thoughts?

Bump

Most dogs aren't thrilled when a new one appears on scene, but will eventually get used to it. My first dog started running off, ignoring his training, and being an all round PITA until the two of them had sorted themselves out and settled down. This took about 6 months!

I guess it helps if you try and find a dog that will not obviously clash with your dog i.e. if you have a very dominant bitch, don't get another one. A younger dog might be better.

thanks no inspiration , my dog is very submissive and such an easy dog I will think twice now. Not sure I want to upset her for 6 months!

Ah, I didn't mean to put you off, just indicate they probably wouldn't be best friends forever from the outset. Mine are really good friends now, it just took dog1 a little bit of time to settle down. He's a bit difficult though, and likes his own space.

If you want another dog, go for it, and give your current dog plenty of space to adjust by making sure she has her own bowl and sleeping area, and not leaving them together unsupervised to start with. She sounds like a really sweet dog, so you should be fine.

Lots of people on here have several dogs, I'm surprised they haven't jumped in to give more advice.

I have 3 dogs, I thought that my first would enjoy having another dog but I think that she thought he was just a new squeaky toy and no way was she sharing her food or bed with the interloper! But getting him didn't alter her behaviour (she was still a tinker) or appear to unsettle her at all.

The 3 of them get on well enough, my oldest is a bitch and definitely has her way on any matter she is bothered about and the two boys learned very quickly not to go near her when she's eating or walk over her when she's sleeping. Strangely enough she is quite protective of them when we are out but doesn't seem to be bothered about them or miss them at all if they are not around.

They all play together a bit but certainly don't curl up together to sleep or anything like that.

So I always say to people to get another dog if it's what they want rather than to please their current dog.

Thanks guys. I think I will offer to look after a friends dog for a weekend (a dog who she gets on with well) to see how I like having two dogs in the house! Plus also have to convince dh but that shouldn't be too hard :o