Reasons to get a second dog

[Deadnettle]

I want another dog, Dh says that wanting another is not a good enough reason to get one.

I mainly want another dog because I want another dog, and any other reason I come up with is also deemed not good enough.

What is a good reason for getting a second dog? I need a really convincing argument to justify the cost of having 2 dogs.

[Bexta147]

And again!! Stupid phone!

Or if you have children get them to pester for another dog instead. They usually give in to the kids faster.

Also how on earth are you all paying so much for pet insurance?! Ours is less than £10 a month!

[Deadnettle]

Bella that is a really good idea! I'll suggest that to Dh.

Bexta there are no children to pester Dh with. I did tell him that 2 dogs cost a lot less than children but that didn't work either!

I don't know why the insurance is so much, it surpised us tbh. Its more than we paid for our last dog who we claimed for every year and he was bigger (a collie) and a rescue with a dodgy start.

[BellaGoth]

It does seem a lot, actually. Is that lifetime cover? Do you get more per condition perhaps?

[Deadnettle]

It's lifetime cover with petplan, but its not the highest level of cover they do. We asked the vet why it was so much but she didn't know. She did suggest that it may have something to do with all the poodle crosses but that was just a guess.

[BellaGoth]

I'd ring around when it's due for renewal. We're with More Than and pay about £18 a month for lifetime cover on each of our labs.

[Leopard12]

Maybe he would be more willing if you could find a rescue dog you like, try find one first look on local rescue websites and fb pages then you have a sob story and can make him feel very guilty that its stuck in kennels until he gives in and you save it, you also won't have the cost of buying a breed then this is how I got my first dog

[Deadnettle]

Bella we've just had the renewal but decided to stick with petplan for now because dog had an injury to her throat that looked a lot like collapsing trachea, the more time that passes the less likely it is (because its getting better) but we wanted to make sure it was covered.

Leopard sadly that idea wont work. Current dog is the only non rescue we have ever had. We were very unlucky with our rescue dogs. Dog1 died age 4 after we had him for 9 months and dog2, who we got at 11 weeks, died age 5 after years of serious health problems.

[StandardPoodle]

Both Dh and I had only ever had 1 dog at a time until we inherited (with our prior consent) my Mum's dog. We had our current lovely rescue girl then so suddenly - 2 dogs. Mum's dog was an old 4 kilo toy poodle so not able to play well with the rather larger rescue but they were lovely company for each other. The awful day came when we lost the old poodle and we discussed having another dog - big enough for the rescue to play with - cue our standard poodle. Watching them interact is fascinating, they are company for each other, they play tug together, and they enable each other to be dogs, not surrogate humans. I think it's enriching for them as well as us. DH and I have both said that now we would not willingly go back to just 1 dog.

[Secretspillernamechange]

Develop a intense interest in a discipline that your current dog isn't suited for? Start going to dog shows every weekend and you need a top quality dog to participate?! (Assuming of course that you don't already have a show-winner, in which case i apologise to your current dog!).

Could you claim to feel unsafe walking your current dog alone after dark so you want a large guard breed as a deterrent?

[Deadnettle]

I would love a standard poodle but they are too big for us at the moment. Please post a pic of yours StandardPoodle

Secret I want another poodle so telling Dh I want a large guard breed wont help although black russian terriers are gorgeous! Current dog is not a show dog at all and as much as I love grooming her I don't think I could deal with a poodle in show coat.

I am no nearer getting a second dog Dh is quite happy with just one.

[villainousbroodmare]

Not helpful, maybe, but there are very nice things about having one dog, not least being able to take them places very easily and unobtrusively. One dog is a sidekick. A Jock, a Lassie, a Charley. More gives the impression of a small pack and changes the dynamic entirely.

[QueenJuggler]

Two things:

1. Why don't you have an income? Is it just that you don't fancy working, or a reason such as illness or a sustained period out of the workplace bringing up children that have left home? Because if it's a proper reason, I'd be seriously pissed of with being told that family money isn't my money.
   

1. It's a really bad idea to bring any pet into a home where everyone isn't committed to having that pet. So if your DH really, really doesn't want a dog, the only way you're going to get one is by getting rid of your DH. Up to you which is more important.

[Deadnettle]

Queen I don't work for health reasons.

Dh's money is my money but there is a big difference in buying something I want and buying a dog. For one a dog cost loads and I respect my dh too much to get a dog and then expect him to pay for it for the next 15 years without getting his agreement first.

[QueenJuggler]

I'm very sorry to hear about your health issues.

Yes, agree with your comments - it's a huge commitment. So long as it's only over the dog that he says find your own money!

FWIW, DH wanted a new dog for years (old ones all sadly passed away) and I said no every time. I finally changed my mind earlier this year after a change in circumstances made it a more practical choice - but I would have been very resentful if he had over-ridden me in earlier years. So it is a shame, but I think it's the right decision. Especially if health issues mean he may well be doing a lot of the physical effort of walking the dog etc (and forgive me if that's not the case in your situation).

Now you've made me want another dog, though!

[Deadnettle]

Queen I do nearly everything with the dog and Dh does very little, and thats the way we want it. We got our very first dog because of my health as I was very isolated. All our dogs have been mine, Dh just pays for them!

Dh is happy with just one dog but the main reason he is against getting another is money. Not the cost of getting a dog but the cost of keeping another one, hence him saying I can have one if I fund it. DH hates the responsibility of being the sole earner and doesn't want to add to that even though we could afford it.

[GameofPhones]

Could you be a dog foster carer? There are several schemes (often connected to rescue organisations) whereby you foster a dog until it is re-homed permanently, and the rescue pays for its care (not you).

[QueenJuggler]

I totally understand about pets helping mental health - my DM is elderly and alone, and really wants a pet. Her physical limitations mean full-time ownership isn't possible, so she does a doggy-share with a neighbour who needs someone to look after her dog during the day whilst she's at work. Perfect scenario - would that be possible for you?

[Deadnettle]

I do look after somes friends dogs at times, which my dog loves, but I really want a second dog of my own. I want to go to different training classes and groom another poodle neither of which I can do with friends dogs.

Game, that is something we considered but we had awful luck with our rescue dogs and I don't feel ready to risk it even with dogs that wont be staying.

[StandardPoodle]

Here is our boy and his rescue "mum" (puts self completely)

[StandardPoodle]

Outs not puts!

[Deadnettle]

Your dogs are beautiful! Thanks for posting a picture.

[SomeDaysIDontGiveAMonkeys]

We got our second dog in 2014, a Springer/cocker cross to go with our working cocker spaniel who we got in 2011. They are both 5. IMO 2 dogs are a delight AND most importantly it make sense because dogs are ultimately pack animals. Our Springer cross was a rescue and our wcs really helped our new little girl fit in and feel at home. For me, I know I'll never just have one dog.

[BernardsarenotalwaysSaints]

I told DH that I'd shut up if he said yes to a 2nd dog & it worked . We're collecting her in just under 2 weeks.

[Purplepixiedust]

How about a rescue for no 2? That way you could argue you are giving it a better life etc. if you want a particular breed there are breed specific rescues. We have 2. It's much harder work than 1 in some ways but much easier in others. They play loads and love each other. We insure with direct line. Just over 40 per month for the two. Shop around for insurance.