1 to 2??

[heiheithechicken]

So I already have one very lovable furry baby, considering another, is it much different going from 1 to 2?
Thanks

We went from one to two last year and from the dogs perspective it had been great.

What I would advise based on our experience is if you are getting a puppy, make sure you don't underestimate the socialisation and training it will require to have on its own. We did some solo socialisation when our second was young but in hindsight not enough. She has become a bit nervous meeting other dogs and we are at a point where our older dog (who on his own loves all dogs he meets) is starting to react in response to her nerves. They become a bit of a pack when they are out because of it and we are currently doing solo walks to try and resolve the issue. I wish we had persevered more with the individual training in the early days.

Also, you need to be prepared to accept whatever the new dog brings to the family and how that will change the dynamic. Our first dog is a calm,chilled, well behaved wee soul. Our second dog is a clever, excited, cheeky monkey who instead of learning from the older dog, has taught him lots of bad habits 🤦‍♀️ It's can also be harder to go places. Some people don't mind you bringing one dog, but two is often a different matter.

Saying all that though I wouldn't change either of my dogs (well, I may change the second a bit 😂) and don't regret getting the second. It's just changed the dynamic more than I had anticipated.

Our ddog was 4 when we got a puppy, she is quite unsociable tbh, so the new addition def wasn't intended as a playmate, a month later we got another puppy and actually the 3 of them are very close!! Don't expect miracles is my advice!
Added a fourth last year and that's the bloody finish!

For me, there would be practical considerations:

• whether two dogs could safely be contained in the car, with the possibility they might have to be separated in the car for a few months (for ever?) while they get to know each other. Dogs may tolerate each other when there is space but not when squished into a single boot together, for e.g
• what would happen when one dog needed to be taken somewhere (e.g. vets)? would the other stay home alone, be taken with you etc. Lots depend on the dog's personalities and whether they are ok being left or steady at the vets, and so on
• holiday cover; if you use family, dog boarding, day care, dog walkers you'd need to check they had capacity for another one
• as user467 said, be aware they may negatively influence each others behaviour - you may get the worst of both, not the best
• beds, would they get one each (costs more, takes up more space) or be expected to share
• feeding times, have you got space to feed both separately if that's needed
• can you handle 2 dogs on leads at the same time? it can take some practise if one or both are not brilliant at loose lead/heel walking
• do you have the spare time in the day for a 2nd? they will both need interaction and attention and this might not always be shared (e.g. play time with one then the other while they learn to play well together)

Don't let that put you off - we have 3 dogs in the house - but try to think of the logistics rather than just the extra cuddles

Thanks all for the replies.

Missbatt you've made some really good points that I hadn't thought of.

The space and cost isn't really an issue, the main issue being if they didn't get along (didn't really think of that!), I'm normally anti puppy and more aimed towards rescue but this little pup has pulled at my heart strings.

Our little doggo is very laid back, well behaved (with the exception of a few kids toys being chewed but who's perfect right ) was more drawn to a pup because of having the 2 children also, to be able to hopefully train and not have so much unpredictability.

It's definitely made me step back and really think about it all.

We had 2 older JRTs and introduced a springer puppy last September.

The Jacks were perfectly sociable dogs - never overly interested/friendly with other dogs but well behaved around them, had visited friends with dogs and just got along quite happily with no bother. They had met puppies and ignored or played with them.

They did not like the springer puppy. They would not mind him when he was asleep (ha!) but every time he moved they growled. They never hurt him but have told him off loads of times and sometimes it has not been nice to live with/hear. We have spent 10 months with baby gates up, less to keep the springer from trouble and more to help keep dogs apart during pressure moments (feeding, greeting, cooking). At times it has felt like a dog kennel as we move dogs around the house.

Only recently has the springer and female JRT (the fiestier or the two) settled down so that, as I type, both are hanging about by my feet with no bother. The male JRT and pup still have spats over food, if the right scenario crops up.

I think some things we did wrong or did not think about:

• despite knowing we shouldn't, it was VERY hard to stand by why the pup got a telling off and I think we could have handled that a bit better by staying a bit calmer and simply taking the puppy out the room. In short, we should have 'backed' the older dogs a bit more, I think. Especially the female whose tellings off have always been contolled, fair and reasonable (in hindsight).

• matching breeds better. Because of changing family dynamics here, the JRTs moved in with me along with some family members. However, I had always had my heart set on a springer and so with extra people in the house plus a move and change of jobs etc. I took the opportunity to get battendog. He is awesome but JRTs and springer are very different breeds with different play styles, movements, energy etc. Battendog LOVES any gun dog - he is drawn to them. The JRTs much prefer smaller dogs (especially little poodles, for some strange reason). In an ideal world the new and old breeds should have been better matched.

Oh, and the JRTs have taught pup to shake his toys like a terrier