Does a dog deserve a "sibling"? is it loads more work?

[Kitttty]

love our puppy mini schnauzer - she is really settled happy and great -- she is very sociable loves other dogs - now 15mths - would it be good for her if we got another for her?

I previously had 2 but they both died of old age I now have 1 personally id never have 2 again.

Training was a nightmare they were always competing to be the one "in front"

I have a lovely relationship with this dog (Even if she does insist on grooming me with her disgusting tongue) With 2 dogs I was kind of incidental, their primary bond was to each other.

The cost of 2 dogs - food, worming, inoculations, kennels when we are away would be too high.

With 2 if one was vomited or had a toilet accident indoors I never knew which was ill as they both looked guilty.

You may also find that this dog, having bonded with you, may not welcome another into the house. A friend planned a companion for her bitch but couldn't keep it long as her girl was jealous - mine will happily play when out but gets upset if other dogs come in.

I'm sure loads of people will say "get another as company for the first one" but that was my experience

I'd say no as well. I got a cavalier puppy when I still had a patterdale terrier. It made the older dog really anxious and increased her guarding behaviour because I think she felt pressure to protect everyone.

BOF , it may have been the breed mix with your two . We have a Patterdale x and he is a definite only dog and funnily whenever I look on the Battersea website all the Patterdale types seem to be a no for living with other dogs . I think they can be a bit antisocial .

Best advice I had was to only get a second if we wanted one, not for our existing dog. Even sociable dogs will not necessarily appreciate having another dog in the home. They might not bond as you hope, or as mentioned before if the early days are not managed well with lots of time apart they might over bond to the exclusion of human members of the family.

We did get another, the newcomer being a Patterdale mix as it happens, but they were not immediate best pals or anything. Our older girl was so reserved it's actually a good thing that there is now a little competition and she is a lot more cheeky. But if she had been a well adjusted dog in the first place I would have been tearing my hair out at the influence of mad pup.

In short, no they don't deserve a sibling. If you want a second dog though go ahead but be prepared to work at making it work. Also I would want to wait until your existing dog is a bit more mature.

Oh and many dogs still suffer separation anxiety when there is another dog in the home. The other dog is often not an adequate substitute for human company.

Get a dog because YOU want another dog and not for the other dog.

We are one week into having a new puppy, a cocker spaniel. Our springer spaniel is 15 months and very well trained (he has his KC gold, which was the standard we wanted to get him to before contemplating another)

It's bloody hard work but I wouldn't swap it already I have done nothing this week but devote time to the two dogs! Made sure Ddog1 has bags and bags of individual attention, training etc.

Ddog1 ignored the puppy for 48 hours (he's also quite reserved), then decided he was pretty good fun, now he's very good fun and they love each other! I haven't seen a slip in behaviour so far. The puppy is definitely bonded with us first, but he's a much more friendly soul. He doesn't pester ddog1 though, which helps. They sleep together during the day, then we crate the puppy at night. Although, DH left the crate door open last night accidently and they slept together

I train them both together too, with the clicker, just reinforcing commands for the first dog or giving a different cue.

We seem to have been lucky so far, but you just have to devote all your time to making it work.

ps Ddog1 is very calm too, which I think helps.

We have 2 dogs, our oldest was nearly 20 months when we got our second. I think they are a bit too close in age, I think it would have been better if we had waited a bit longer. One of the great things about having a second dog is you don't have to worry about how long it will take to get pregnant so you can plan spacing far more easily.

I got a second when my eldest was ten. Then when the eldest died I waited a year and then got another, but that one was then ten.
I now have one who is 20 months old and nfw would I get another with such a young dog. It would be a nightmare tbqh.
And vet bills are extortionate now. I don't think I could afford the fees for two ageing dogs at the same time.

thanks all -- we would love another dog - and had thought it would be giving her a real gift of company (bit like a second child) - but I had not thought thru that there would be any downsides - just assumed she would love a companion...but she might get jealous, is perfectly happy and sees and plays off lead with other dogs twice a day.....I have heard from my friend that when they got their second they became so closely bonded that they didn't show much affection anymore to the owner!

Well here are the upsides.For over 30 years we have had various combinations.2 dogs and 2 cats.2 dogs and 1 cat.1 dog and 2 cats.And it's all worked out great.Depends on your lifestyle,finances etc.But all the mixes of our dogs have been a pleasure and there's nothing nicer to us than 'family time' as DH calls it when we all settle in the lounge of an evening with a dog snoozing at his feet and one at mine plus cat snuggled on the sofa.We have had great holidays in this country from Scotland to Cornwall with 2 dogs exploring lovely new walks,sat outside many a pub or inside if dog friendly and after several years of one dog only we now have two again.
Then again we have three DDs - all grown up now - and some would say that's hard work andy expensive.Doesn't have to be.And with both pets and kids the pluses far outweigh the minuses.
I know plenty of two dog family's also.Then again we have always given our dogs scraps with their good quality mixer for breakfast.Obviously nothing unsuitable but why would I fling lovely roast dinner left overs away.And current expert advice seems to deplore feeding anything but a 'complete' meal for dogs.Our last two dear departeds lived to almost 15 and 16 and even our lab made it to 13 - a great age for that breed.
If your dog is fine and you really don't want another then don't fret that he needs a companion.But conversely if you would really like another dog don't discount it.We also work with dogs now and most dogs are sociable and whilst can be perfectly happy as only dogs,also like the company of other dogs too.