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The doghouse

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Original poster

Tell me all the bad things about getting a second dog...

34 replies

ozzia · 16/08/2015 10:38

...as I REALLY want one.

Ddog is nearly 3, a labrador and the most chilled thing in the world. Try to walk him more than he fancies and he will just sit down. I work, 2 days from home but the rest I come home at lunch to let him out and stay about 30 mins and he has a dog walker in the morning those days too. The days I'm at home he is happy chilling out on his own, he will pop in to check on my about 2 times but the rest of the time he's relaxing

I know the chances of getting another such laid back dog is tiny. He's amazing with kids and everyone, doesn't jump up ever. But I desperately want him to have a little friend.

So please tell me all the bad things about having a second dog so I can talk myself out of this craving

OP posts:
RainbowRoses · 16/08/2015 10:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
ozzia · 16/08/2015 11:00

Ah hadn't thought about the barking. Ddog doesn't bark so it would take some getting used to to have one which does!

OP posts:
WeeMadArthur · 16/08/2015 11:01

At least you are realistic that you are unlikely to get such a laid back dog again! One of the biggest downsides to me would be if the dogs don't get on, especially as one has been a happy single dog for three years.

ThatBloodyWoman · 16/08/2015 11:05

I wouldn't upset the status quo.
Having had more than one dog,I can't see massive benefits for them,and there are many potential pitfalls.

Original poster
ozzia · 16/08/2015 11:08

He loves all other dogs, I wouldn't get another one without them meeting first and I definitely wouldn't get a puppy. We look after mums dog when she's away and he loves it.

The fact is he would love it but I know it's not the best idea. Just trying to give my heart logical reasons we can't do it

OP posts:
Costacoffeeplease · 16/08/2015 11:14

Why isn't it the best idea? Dogs
usually like being with other dogs, they'll will play together and tire each other out.

We have spent over a year slowly introducing our latest pup to our existing, very reactive, dog. It's been a nightmare at times, for us not them, but we've persevered because I knew it would be the best thing for him if we could make it work. They now spend hours chasing each other round the garden and wrestling, and our reactive dog is much, much happier and more confident

tabulahrasa · 16/08/2015 11:17

Twice the costs.

If you get a puppy, twice the walking (because you'll not be able to take it for adult dog sized walks) and they harass adult dogs to almost breaking point.

You'll have to work out if and when you can leave them alone unsupervised and what to do with them until then.

Other dogs can be a bit iffy about more than one dog together.

They wait till you're on the phone or otherwise distracted and suddenly start wrestling all over your house...then look at you like, but you were right there and you didn't say no!!! When you stop them.

It will mean a massive period of upheaval for your current dog and less attention for him, that may be offset by having a pal, but it may not as dogs don't always actually enjoy having another dog.

It's worth it if you do want another one, but it is harder than having one...like children really, lol.

ender · 16/08/2015 12:08

My laid back sociable 3 yr old lab wasn't v keen when he realised that 2nd dog was here to stay, although they seemed to get on and played together when they first met at the rescue.
They mostly ignored each other for 18 months.
He'd still prefer to play with me and follows me around with toys but will now condescend to play fight with 2nd dog.
I have to keep them in separate rooms at night and when I go out as 2nd dog wants to play while lab prefers to snooze and they end up barking at each other.

ender · 16/08/2015 12:21

Forgot to say, lab never barked until I got 2nd dog.
I was really shocked the first time I took them both out together, 2nd dog was lead reactive and barked at another dog and lab joined in Shock.
I walked them separately after that till 2nd dog was trained. Very time consuming.

imonaplane · 16/08/2015 13:20

We have 3 dogs now. Yes it is more work but in my opinion so worth it. They all get along fine - not at first though- and to see them playing together or snuggled up asleep in a pile makes my day!

Original poster
ozzia · 16/08/2015 13:54

I think he would love it, he loves all other dogs but we've never looked after another one for more than 2 weeks so I don't know how he'd feel long term.

He gave me lots less cuddles as he was busy playing which made me sad but he seems happier

I don't think it's a good idea as asking someone to look after 1 dog when we're out for a day or something isn't a big ask, especially when he's so so easy. Also I can't be sure another one would be so accepting of our routine

OP posts:
Lokibuddyboo · 19/08/2015 00:14

If he enjoys other dogs company and you can afford and have time for a second dog then why not.
If your going for a rescue dog then the rescue center will help match your dog with another dog, and arrange meetings before you take the dog home plus if you get a dog that's beening fostered rather than out in kennels you will know what it like in a home setting weither he's a Barker or not, happy to be left for an few hours ect
You could always try fostering a dog yourself that way you will know if your dog likes it or not, like a trial run.

Original poster
ozzia · 19/08/2015 09:09

My main worry is that we both work full time, I work from home 2 days per week and the days when I'm in the office I go home at lunch for 45mins. Ddog couldn't care less when we're there or not, when I work from home he likes being downstairs not in the office (I've even tempted him up there with food before and he just leaves again once he's eaten it) as thats what he always does monday to friday. He used to have a dog walker but she retired and he seems indifferent about that having stopped.

I wouldn't want a dog who found that stressful, it wouldn't be fair on ddog as it would probably stress him out and I don't know how you can ever be sure without getting one from someone who already works.

I do plan to get a new dog walker by the way, I'm just fussy and no one has met up to my standards for him yet Smile

OP posts:
hellhasnofurylikeahungrywoman · 19/08/2015 09:19

I'm no help. Getting our second dog was one of the best things we ever did. We have recently introduced a 10 month old spaniel to our 15 month old collie and it has gone really well after a tricky first few days. Our last dog was an only dog but when he passed and we adopted our new pup we realised how much she loves canine company so adopted another dog to be her friend, she was instrumental in selecting the dog we brought home and they are great companions, they do play but he doesn't bark when she does or vice versa, they have similar energy levels and do double the distance we do on walks as they are so busy playing.

Sorry, no help am I.

airforsharon · 19/08/2015 12:01

Reading with interest! I'm thinking about this too, already have a 19 month old Sprocker (Daft Dog), 2 cats and 3 dcs. Daft Dog has been fab, settled in well, gets on fantastically with the cats, gentle with the dcs. He's crap at walking to heel, but that's my only grumble really. He's also very sociable and plays well with other dogs when we're out and about. he's happy bounding about, equally happy snoring on my feet.

I'm enjoying having him so much i'm seriously thinking about another. Not helped by the fact a friend has just got her 4th! But she doesn't have cats or dcs, so different circs. But yes, completely understand your worries OP re getting another dog who's so chilled and possibly unleashing all sorts of havoc.

Eastpoint · 19/08/2015 12:04

I think it's much harder to find someone to look after 2 dogs. Would your mother be able to walk 3 dogs when you go away or you be able to do the same when she goes away? We can't swap dogs with a friend anymore as they are too big, strong & young to walk 3 together.

airforsharon · 19/08/2015 12:09

East that's a good point. It's partly the cost that's holding me back too, 2 lots of insurance, kennels etc.

Original poster
ozzia · 19/08/2015 12:19

Yes it's the going away which worries me. We have loads of people happy to look after our one as he's so easy but adding another one in makes it so different.

I also worry he'd be less cuddly with me!

OP posts:
MrsRossPoldark · 19/08/2015 19:36

Sadly, our second dog didn't work out at all. She was his half-sister but from litters a year apart. She would savage him if he approached another dog [he's a friendly chap] and would also have a proper go at him for the slightest thing.

After one too many instances of using teeth / frothing at the mouth / eyeballs out / blood and fur everywhere, it was just too traumatic. The last straw was when I rushed downstairs to find my elderly DF standing by our heavy breakfast table, which was moving while they fought - chairs flying everywhere etc!

We had her rehomed and kept him. As soon as she left, he relaxed back to the laid-back chap he is. [and she, incidentally was obviously less stressed when she happily went away with the rehoming lady [who was an expert in the breed and had 8 show and 20 rescue dogs! at the time]. She went to another home as an only dog, but that was the last we were told, as the rehomers prefer not to release info about the dog's new home after that. Best way.

t was gut-wrenching to have to see her go but our little fella was so unhappy with her and was constantly on edge.

I'd never have two dogs again. One set of costs is quite enough esp when you have to kennel when you go on holiday / medical costs / etc

samsam123 · 22/08/2015 22:02

I regret it don't do it

Original poster
ozzia · 22/08/2015 22:48

I'm pretty sure I've talked myself out if it now, phew Smile

OP posts:
Mrsderekshepard · 25/08/2015 23:48

I'm 3 weeks in from getting my 2nd dog and so far so good Grin

TheMotherOfHellbeasts · 26/08/2015 10:05

When we introduced ddog2 (adult male) to ddog1 (adult female) she tried to kill him. The first few days were pretty hair raising and required constant supervision, and she wanted to kill him for several months after. They get on well now though, and when we introduced ddog3 it was a lot less stressful as she had the sense to back down to the other two. It wasn't easy then either though, ddog1 was in such a fury that she destroyed a tractor tyre and ddog2 sulked for several days. Again, they all get along well now.

We do have breeds which are predisposed to hate other dogs (and other people not in their family), which would have made it more difficult.

UnderTheGreenwoodTree · 26/08/2015 10:18

I regretted it too. We got ddog2 because ddog1 was getting on a bit, and I wanted to get another, so I wouldn't be left without a dog, and grieving.

It really was the silliest thing I've ever done. It upset the whole family equilibirium of family + dog. DD1 was a Lab, and a lovely family dog, really chilled. DD2 was 10mths old, and v puppyish. They instantly brought out the worst in each other - they would jump around, each vying for attention and competing for food. They got on well together, but if I'm honest, pup was a bit much for our lovely old Lab, and 2 dogs was definitely more than twice the work. I felt like they became a 'pack' together, rather a family pet - if that doesn't sound mad.

dLab has now gone to the big dog basket in the sky - so we're back to 1 dog again - and I don't think I'll ever have 2 dogs again.

SirVixofVixHall · 26/08/2015 10:22

I'm mulling over a second dog. I think Vixdog would like a companion, but I've only ever had singletons so i can't imagine what it is like having more than one.