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The doghouse

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Original poster

Has anyone regretted a second dog?

36 replies

messofajess · 19/04/2018 22:31

We would like to get a second dog as a friend for ddog. I'm feeling a little nervous about the decision in case it actually affects his life in a negative way.

What if the new dog bullies him? Or he feels put out? He is the sweetest, most playful and soft natured boy I have ever met.

Has anyone had experience of this?

OP posts:
han01uk · 19/04/2018 22:41

How old is your first dog? We have recently got a Dachshund puppy (now 11 months) to go with a spaniel who is 21. I have to say I have regretted it most days! Probably because I didn't research the breed enough,whilst they do get along well,I feel I may have left it too late in life for our first to introduce a puppy. Suddenly she looks really old. I guess if you go for a placid breed and your first dog isn't too old there is no reason why they shouldn't get along and be good company for each other.

han01uk · 19/04/2018 22:41

My spaniel is 11....not 21!! 🤦🏼‍♀️

Inkspellme · 19/04/2018 22:41

We had a single dog for a few years before getting a second one. We got a cavalier pup as the second dog. The first dog was a terrier mix. Both females. It was one of our best decisions. They enjoyed each other’s company and we ended up getting rid of the second dog bed as they were always together in one. Our terrier had to be put down just before Christmas last year. She was 16 years old (and I still miss her).

Two weeks ago we got a new pup as our cavalier was miserable. Whilst the pup is hard work I can already see them bonding together and that’s lovely to see.

The pup sleeps in her crate so the older dog does get some peace but once not in her crate they seem to choose to be in each other’s company. I’m hoping this mix works as well as the last.

My advice would be that yes two dogs are great but choose carefully your existing dogs new buddy.

Original poster
messofajess · 19/04/2018 23:05

han01uk I read your message with a dropped jaw thinking "of course she is looking old" Grin

Our boy is a year and a half so the timing seems right...

inkspellme I'm so sorry you lost her. Of course you still miss her. It's not a long time at all.

OP posts:
MorningCuppa · 19/04/2018 23:08

Yes we did it when our first dog was 3 we got a pup, ours are now 1 & 4 they are the best of friends, share a bed, amazing bond and never far apart. Best thing we did and all the hard work is worth it.

whoopsiedaisies · 19/04/2018 23:16

We huge regret getting second dog (as much as we love him!). He's from the same place got original dog who was six at the time, so I think she is his aunty Grin

Anyway, dog number one gets pushed around by dog number two who we have had for three years. Both very possessive of chews and toys, regular little snappy moments between them, can't have both in the room with us at the same time as they get so jealous, growl and then try to fight. Terribly sad for first dog - she used to have such an easy life!

User467 · 19/04/2018 23:34

We got a second dog when ddog1 was 1 as it was obvious he needed a companion. From his point of view it was 100% the right decision. They are completely inseparable and he is a much more content wee dog.

BUT. I did underestimate the work/impact of a second dog. Our first is a very laid back wee sole who was a gem out on walks and had grown out of most of the pesky puppy habiys. Number 2 is very lovely but definitely a different dog and she has taught number 1 lots of bad habits! The dynamic can also change. If you go for a pup for second dog be realistic about training as it has been hard with two.

I wouldn't change my decision, it was the right one, but if I think about it from a purely selfish perspective there are days I think I would go back to 1.

Greyhorses · 20/04/2018 07:56

I think dog1 may have been happier as an only dog without puppy pestering him all the time however he also hates being left alone so it was a bit of a catch 22.

I wouldn’t say I regretted the decision but it’s been very hard trying to train one with another in tow. Dog1 has also had his nose put out sadly as Dog2 is boss and it was difficult to see him go down the pecking order a bit so to speak.

They do seem happy enough though!

Strugglingtodomybest · 20/04/2018 08:07

I wouldn't go as far as to say I regret it, as they get on well enough, they're both the same age roughly, we think (rescues).

However, dog2 is a barker and has taught dog1 his ways, which drives me up the wall!

Also, dog2 is fear aggressive and whilst he's a lot better now, since I've been trying to socialise him, it's been hard to do when walking both of them, as dog1 has got all protective of him which doesn't help.

BUT they're both lovely dogs and when they're both trying to get on my knee for a cuddle and end up lying on each other to do it, it really makes my heart swell.

Original poster
messofajess · 20/04/2018 10:01

Thanks everyone for your stories!

I hesitate to say we would be getting a second dog purely for his benefit because it sounds like we won't love the second dog as much - we absolutely will, but the discussion started when he started looking like he needed a companion.

We have recently moved into a much bigger house than the one he grew up in and he was getting stressed out following everyone around the house and not knowing where everyone was a the same time. He seems to have gotten over it and spends some time alone in the sitting room by himself looking really sad when everyone is busy, when usually he would be able to see at least two of us. (We lived in an extremely compact house before.)

In our old neighborhood he also had friends come over regularly to play and we don't have that here. We're a bit rural. I sound like I'm talking about a child sorry everyone haha. I just can't stand the thought of him going down in a pecking order.

It seems as though it is a bit of a gamble either way. I would love a rescue but DH is insisting on a puppy.

OP posts:
pigsDOfly · 20/04/2018 10:34

I think about getting another dog from time to time, but know in my heart my dog would resent another dog.

I used to have someone else's dog to stay when they went away - same breed as mine. I've stopped doing it now because the other dog is very 'in your face' and overwhelmed my quieter dog with its stronger personality. It also wants to sit on me all the time, my dog's a lot more independent so will sit nearby but not keep shoving herself at me like the other dog and I felt that my dog, literally, got pushed out and got less attention.

The other dog is also a barker and I ended up with my dog, whose barking I can manage, copying the barking, so that when the dog went home I had to work on my dog's newly acquired barking habit.

Lots of people have more than one dog so it must work. I think it's just a case of choosing your second dog well. If you get a puppy you've no way of knowing how it'll turn out. Perhaps a rescue might be better so they can meet a few times first and you can judge how they interact.

User467 · 20/04/2018 10:37

Our second dog was definitely for dog1's benefit but we do love her very much. She just adds a bit of crazy to the house! Dog1 has never been put out. They day we brought her home was like all his Christmas's had come at once. He treats her like his baby. When she was tiny he would stand guard over her when she slept. She does walk all over him but he lets her (and I think loves it). Getting a pup worked well for us as dog1 was only 1 so was up for similar nonsense, but I can imagine adding a pup to an older dog might not be as plain sailing.

I think I mostly find it hard as both dogs are young and our kids are still quite young too but almost a year in and everything's starting to calm down a bit and I am glad we got her when we did (most days)

User467 · 20/04/2018 10:42

Besotted

whoopsiedaisies · 20/04/2018 14:15

@user466 Shock that is ADORABLE

Thebluedog · 20/04/2018 14:17

I love having two dogs and they get on well most of the time.. however I didn’t realise just how much extra hair, dust and poo a security nd dog would produce Shock (yes I know - double) but I hate poo picking the back garden

Thebluedog · 20/04/2018 14:18

A second dog - not security Grin

ScienceIsTruth · 20/04/2018 15:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ScienceIsTruth · 20/04/2018 15:36

I would always go with a pup in this case, as it won't have any preconceived fears or dislikes, etc, and so is more likely to be a good fit.

Over 30 odd years, I've had 10 dogs. The 1st one was a single dog until he was about 8yo, then I got a mixed breed rescue pup (10weeks old).

I got my 3rd when my 1st was 12/13yo & the 2nd was around 5/6yo.
The 1st died at 14yo, the 2nd at 12yo and the 3rd at almost 11yo.

A few months before the 3rd died, we got the mum of the pups and a month later the large breed dog.
4 yrs after that the pups came along, and about 30 years of my life have gone by since my 1st dog. I've had St.Bernards, a Golden Retriever, a Lab, a Corgi mixed breed and Chihuahuas.

The only one that didn't work out was a rescue St. Bernard (not included in above list). He was 30 months when we got him and the previous owners hadn't been truthful about his issues (dominant agression, which we could've managed if we hadn't had small children).
As we had a toddler at the time we had to rehome him due to this, but this time making sure he went to a suitable, experienced home with people fully aware of all of his problems and without young children.

Swallowfalls · 20/04/2018 15:54

We got our second as company for our boy and it's worked out beautifully for him, they get on great. For us, not so much. I find two much harder work than one and have struggled to bond with her, I love her and would never give up on an animal but if I could go back we wouldn't have adopted her. Sorry to be negative OP but it's always as well to hear both sides.

Swallowfalls · 20/04/2018 16:07

Gratuitous cute pics Smile

Newname12 · 20/04/2018 16:15

Slightly out there but what about a cat?

I have only ever had one family dog, but when we got a cat they bonded instantly and were inseperable.

We just got a puppy, having had the cat for 5 years. Can’t keep them separate. Sleep together, play together, eat together. The cat has his own personal bed warmer, food taster and door opener (the dog knows when the cat is coming home and has us open the door ready.

The cat will also bring home mice for the dog on occasion (terrier). At least they stay in the garden now rather than being brought in for us.

Original poster
messofajess · 20/04/2018 17:22

@newname12 that is such a beautiful story, I wish that could happen with our home. But our dog hasn't ever been around a cat, she chases them when he sees them on the street and so I would never ever put a kitten near him just in case.

@user467 that is absolutely beautiful. Its exactly the outcome I would be looking for.

@swallowfalls yes thank you, I was looking for both sides!

OP posts:
fourpawswhite · 20/04/2018 17:29

Awww, lovely pictures here.

The only reason I sometimes regret getting a second dog is because that led to a third dog, OK and then a fourth. It's all because of the second one.

In all seriousness though, no, I love them all, even though we are meant to only have one. Dh looks wide eyed every time I come back from anywhere now though in case I have another. Grinalso dog two and dog three are almost identical so sometimes I confuse myself.

pigsDOfly · 20/04/2018 17:38

Lovely pictures Swallowfalls. The white one is clearly completely besotted with your other dog. Wish someone loved me that much. Grin

Swallowfalls · 20/04/2018 17:53

She totally adores him pigs, follows him everywhere and he's lovely with her, washes her face and ears thoroughly every night before bed and rounds her up like a sheepdog if she wanders too far from us on walks Smile I feel awful that I have regrets about her because she really is a sweetheart and I do love her but I found one much easier and know if I'm honest with myself I would make a different decision with the benefit of hindsight. I'm very firmly in the 'an animal is for life' camp though so no chance she's going anywhere and we do our best to give them both a lovely life.

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