second dogs. be honest please!

[TooOldForGlitter]

I am thinking of adding a second pooch to the family. It wouldn't be until next year so I've got bags of time to think but I want to start thinking seriously about it in advance.

I already have Bob, a nearly 6 yo greyhound. I will have another rescue dog. I'd like a smaller dog than a grey. I don't care about breed or sex but it needs to be a breed happy with two thirty minute walks on a quiet day and be up for 3 hours plus on a busy day.

My questions are, does it have an affect on the relationship with the first dog. Will he stop being 'mine' and bond with new dog more?

Is it much harder work, or like kids, do they slot in

What breeds might fit with a grey? Or do I just find a rescue and let Bob pick his pal?

Basic questions I know but as I said, I have time, I'd love to hear your experiences.

I'm also interested in hearing the views on this as I would love for my big dog to have a little friend.

Holding hands with douchbag

Yes, keen to know here too.

I got a second dog (a puppy) when DDog was 2 as DDog1 was lonely if we went out. It took her a while to adjust, she was jealous for a week or two, but they now love each other and happily cuddle up together. Its just like getting more children, love just expands to cover all of them. DDog2 just slotted in, she isn't as extrovert or assertive as her big sis, so their relationship works. although I should have probably spent more time training her

DDog1 still has a special place in my heart and is the one always by my side out walking. Even my exH always has a cuddle with her when he comes round to pick up the DC. She still adores him too

elastamum, thanks for your reply. Did you find that it changed the way dog1 behaved towards you? Has your relationship/bond changed?

Double trouble but way more than double the fun! My 2 play loads, it's hilarious to watch them, and they are good company for each other.

They also bring out the worst in each other. DDog 1 NEVER climbed on furniture until DDog 2 showed her how. DDog 2 never knew how to open doors until DDog1 showed her how.

Double the muddy paws, double the hair and dust. Double the poop scooping. But so so worth it.

We got a 2nd rescued collie 9 months after the first, because the first was a very dog's dog - very nervous/cowed with people, but came out of himself with dogs - and he was very anxious when left alone, so we felt the company would help him. This worked. The 2nd dog (bitch) is much more people oriented, and goes into defend-me mode with other dogs. We have never for one moment regretted getting the 2nd (ok, I may have said otherwise the day they stole and ate 5 packets of coloured icing and then sicked up gelatinous purple gloop all over the birthday cards and walls...). They didn't really appear to be that interested in each other for months, then she (the 2nd one) started to tease him to chase her, and gradually, taking over 3 years, they've now started to cuddle up together sometimes by choice. They've always been fine together though, especially in the crate in the car.

Dog1's no1 was always and remains my husband, then me, then dd1 (dd3 is getting some look in now too). Dog2's no1 is me then anything feathery or furry that moves.

We haven't found 2 to be any more binding, apart from that you need to trust walkers (as they're quite big dogs really) to be in control, they cost twice as much to kennel/vet/deflea/feed and twice as much poo to pick. She really did slot in pretty much. She did make it easier for us to leave them both.

My situation is possibly slightly closer to yours than some peoples because DD1 is a lurcher - so quite content to laze away the day on the sofa if there's nothing else on - but happy to walk all day if it's available.

DD2 (or perhaps I should say D2?) was a relative-in-law's dog so rather wished onto us rather than take on by proper choice - but we knew her and knew she was generally quite a nice dog. She's a Border terrier.

D2 is still in awe about the size of DD1 (after 6 months) so won't play chase with her - there is a huge difference in speed and size though. However, DD1 would like to play with her if that was an option, although she doesn't push it.

DD1 is still 'my' dog and hasn't lost any of the closeness with me because of having D2.

Many greys that I know live with lurchers very happily. They speak the same language, will have the odd mad 3 mins, and play bitey face which seem to be particularly sight hound traits.

Why don't you look at the rescues that are looking for foster homes - if they have a dog in that you think 'might' be an option you could offer to foster it to start with to see how it goes and then adopt at a later stage if DD1 and you are happy.

I had a Bob, he was a lovely, outgoing little westie. When he was two I added a jack. Jack was a big personality and try as we might to make Bob 'top dog' he really want interested.
Jack died when Bob was 12. The two years he was on his own after were brilliant. He was a different dog, outgoing, loving. He changed. We thought he'd pine for Jack but he never did, he came out of himself. He died aged 14.

Now we have one dog and as much as I'm always threatening to get another its not something I think I'd personally do again. Murphy is very spoiled, sleeps on the bed and gets our full attention, im not sure he'd cope well with sharing that now.

I don't think adding the second dog changes your bond with the first. They may be slightly less dependent on you but still as devoted. I've had two several times and never thought it had a detrimental effect. I've just taken on two pound puppies and am enjoying the fact that they have each other when I'm going out, at night etc. I feel less stressed?? than I did when I just had the one. I'd say go for it!!

Oh and by the way your walking routine is fantastic. What lucky doggie(s) they are!

I have two lurchers - ddog was 2 when we added dpuppy to the mix. Ddog is still just as bonded to us, but he gets a lot out of having a pointy friend to tear round with and then snore on the sofa with.
Now we are through the really puppy stage (dpuppy was born in rescue so we had him from small, ddog went in at 6 months and so was much easier) its really no more work, though twice the mud comes in.

I think a lurcher would fit really well with a grey as they will play the same way, and obv come in a big variety of sizes.

I used to have two dogs. They were the same age as eachother, almost to the week - but we got him at 8 weeks and her at 2 years. It worked and it worked well but... he died young and that left her distraught for months. I decided against getting another 'second' dog, as if it had gone wrong, it may have ruined her life and she was very sensitive. From a selfish POV I was glad I had two as when one died, there wasn't that awful dogless period.

It might work but it's as well to be aware - it might not. I have a friend who has just got a puppy after her ancient dog died. Yet she already had a very reactive to other dogs, youngish rescue. I have walked with her when she has walked it and it is appalling with other dogs. She has had maybe two months trying to get dog 1 used to dog 2 and although she claims it is working - I am not convinced as dog 1 has to live with someone else half the time...

Am on another forum where one lady had a dog she loves to bits, so much so she got a second of the same breed. It has been hell. And two years on, she has no let up. Dog 1's little world was shattered by introduction of Dog 2 and Dog 2 has 'issues'. It sounds like such a nightmare if I were her I'd feel I had to rehome Dog 2 but she feels obliged to keep it because it never asked to come into that situation. Her much loved Dog 1 has a hell of a time of it by the sound of it.

I decided against having two dogs even though my husband and kids would like to. It is too much of a risk for Current Dog if things go wrong. I think some people are lucky - as we were - and it goes very well. But if it goes badly... I'd examine whether you want the other dog for yourself or for dog 1. I think we can project human emotions onto dogs sometimes.

I thought DD1 would love having a doggy companion so we got DD2 when she was 2...but actually she really wasn't fussed, played with him a bit but wouldn't let him sleep with her and took off him anything he picked up.

They were absolutely fine together but the lovely sight of dogs snuggling was not to be.

Didn't stop me getting DD3. DD2 & 3 do play quite a lot, but both prefer us humans to each other.

DD1 is very protective of her little brothers when we are out, no dog is allowed to mess with them! But she still tells them off if they accidentally disturb her when she's asleep, they both treat her with healthy respect!

So basically it's a punt and you won't know how it will turn out until you try, sorry, that's not very helpful, is it?

DDog would LOVE a doggie friend but DD is only 18 months so I feel wary about bringing another dog into the house. About this time last year I found a little dog and ended up keeping her for a week while the owner was tracked down. DDog was first bemused, then fell in love. The cat wasn't impressed.

It has worked well for us.

Dog1 was 2 years old when we introduced a puppy. Dog1 was clearly put out for a week or two - walked out of the room if puppy walked in, but after that all has been fine. Dog2 adores Dog1 and snuggles up to him when she can. Dog1 can give or take Dog 2, he'll put up with her cuddling him but he doesn't seek her out.

The only extra work is the extra mud in the house, at this wet time of year.

We adopted a second rescue dog when the original dog was four and had been with us two years. Initially she hated him, he was manic and she was jealous of his attention. He was thick skinned enough to ignore her! One day they realised they both loved water, and started to bond. From then on they became good friends. My dad lives next door and hears them playing together when left alone, I much prefer two. She is still very cunning. If he is getting too many cuddles she picks up his fave toy and squeaks it so that he runs over, then she drops his ball and takes over his cuddle!

Works well for us too! They are quite happy together and I don't find there's much difference from one to two dogs myself! However my children are at school so don't have little ones to look after. Plus we got another adult dog not a puppy!