Page 2 | Adding another dog to the family - pros and cons?

Monkeypuzzletreat · 2022-04-05T10:37:37+00:00

Hi all, Have you recently gone from 1 dog to 2 dogs in your family? How was it? Would love to hear positive or negative experiences.... We have a lovely Golden Retriever and I was thinking of getting a miniature schnauzer too... Thanks!

BasiliskStare · 05/04/2022 18:38

I too have a border terrier pup ( but eldest two dogs are also borders ) They get along beautifully - apart from little one trying to steal the elder ones' food so that takes some planning at meal times. But to see them cuddled up when they go to sleep is lovely. They all came from the same breeder and have relatives in common - not sure if that makes a difference.

Mine are so good with all dogs - with the exception of Schnauzers with eldest dog - I think one bit eldest dog in the park & he does not like them - so we have to keep an eye out for that . Other two are fine with them ( schnauzers)

First two were within 18 months of each other - now 14 & 13 - youngest is 6 months . But outwith normal puppy exuberance they get on well.

villainousbroodmare · 05/04/2022 19:57

Why would you choose a big strong Spitz to break your Iggie? Surely another Iggie or a mini poodle or at least something of similar size.

FleurDeLizz · 05/04/2022 20:03

@villainousbroodmare

Why would you choose a big strong Spitz to break your Iggie? Surely another Iggie or a mini poodle or at least something of similar size.

A German spitz mittel is around the size of a poodle

Maneandfeathers · 05/04/2022 20:05

We have three but two was perfect!

Play together, sleep together, entertain eachother when I’m busy and nobody is alone while I’m out.
I think having multiple dogs has made them all happier. They all get individual training and walks which has taken up lots of my time though.

I did pick two personalities that really get on and of very similar breeds with a similar play style. I tend to find certain types play better together than others.

It’s harder as I also have an old dog who is grumpier and slow which makes walks with the younger ones hard. For that reason I think two a similar age is also a better idea than a massive age gap!

PollyRoulllson · 05/04/2022 20:05

OP a "valid" would be individual to each household but not because my existing dog wants one or my current dog has a training issue so I will get another dog to sidetrack/start again or help with problem or the new dog will entertain the existing dog (my pet hate!)

I have 6 dogs so absolutely love multi dog households but also in my work I see a lot of people struggling with multi dogs and if there is an issues. They expect the dogs to train themselves, they dont have the time for one dog and then get anther thinking it will take the pressure of them.

If you are happy for two walks initially for at least 6 months and two separate training sessions and doing activities with each dog individually great.

The comment above who says the dogs play for hours is a bad idea on so many levels

IAMGE · 05/04/2022 20:07

Mine are 9 and 5 and related. If something happens to one of them we will get another as for 5 years they have had constant company 24/7 and without it I think they would struggle with grief and loneliness

muddyford · 05/04/2022 20:09

Three months on, my nine year old is still adjusting to a puppy, now four months old. It was easy last time but this time it has nearly broken me. But looking back we have come such a long way. I wouldn't do it again though.

GrandRapids · 05/04/2022 20:11

We have had multiple dogs. It's always worked out great, never any issues, all very even tempered. Not sure about miniature schnauzers. I'd be tempted to get another golden

Easterisoffeggstooexpensive · 05/04/2022 20:16

Wasn't too sure how these 2 would get on.
Needn't have worried....

Adding another dog to the family - pros and cons?

mumsiedarlingrevolta · 05/04/2022 20:20

I have a mini schnauzer who is very sociable-and has a very nice golden retriever friend.

She is great with other dogs and people.
Clever and so loving-would not be without her

Soubriquet · 05/04/2022 20:24

This was a few years ago now but we went from one to two.

I was concerned my first wouldn’t take to the puppy but she did. So much so, she came into milk and the puppy fed from her.

I did have to crate up puppy for her to get some sleep because big girl wanted to play all the time

They are still close now. Act more like mother and daughter.

Wouldn’t be able to ever split them up.

It hasn’t affected the bond between us humans either.

These are pictures of when they first met. They still sleep like that

Original poster

Monkeypuzzletreat · 05/04/2022 20:30

ah! love the photos! fantastic advice and takes on it! thank you all.
I'm still keen to have another as I just think it would be lovely, we've spent a lot of time training our girl and she is fab (normal adolescent exuberance of a GR atm, but she is fab) would recommend the breed to any family, they are super loving, and she's the first there comforting my DCs if there's any tears. But I did fall in love with my relative's Mini Schnauzer, but will do some more research on the breed :)

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Original poster

Monkeypuzzletreat · 05/04/2022 20:33

@PollyRoulllson

OP a "valid" would be individual to each household but not because my existing dog wants one

or my current dog has a training issue so I will get another dog to sidetrack/start again or help with problem or the new dog will entertain the existing dog (my pet hate!)

I have 6 dogs so absolutely love multi dog households but also in my work I see a lot of people struggling with multi dogs and if there is an issues. They expect the dogs to train themselves, they dont have the time for one dog and then get anther thinking it will take the pressure of them.

If you are happy for two walks initially for at least 6 months and two separate training sessions and doing activities with each dog individually great.

The comment above who says the dogs play for hours is a bad idea on so many levels

Great, thanks so much! no training issues or entertaining needs here :) never expected our girl to train herself! Was just curious and also wanted to see if my motivations had any pitfalls as I know how much of a commitment it is. Thanks for replying

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lollipopsandrainbows · 05/04/2022 20:40

Male Lhasa was 3 when we introduced second Lhasa. Pros - pup quickly picked up toilet training and didn't get into any bad traits such as chewing or being destructive. But that really is where the pros stop.

Lhasa two (also male) is nothing like older boy personality wise. He's a barker, hates other dogs, pulls on the lead and due to his hatred of other dogs he makes (what used to be lovely) walks a nightmare. We holiday a lot in the UK and I can hand on heart say he's making life very difficult for us. We can't take him to the beach as he's constantly lunging and barking at other dogs. We can't leave him in the caravan for even short periods due to the constant barking. We don't hear a peep from our older boy, he's so chilled out and loves other dogs. We've tried 3 behaviourists so far, things settle for a while and then spring back again.

So, for me going to two dogs was the wrong thing to do. I suppose my advice is bare in mind no two dogs are the same.

Original poster

Monkeypuzzletreat · 05/04/2022 20:43

@mumsiedarlingrevolta

I have a mini schnauzer who is very sociable-and has a very nice golden retriever friend.

She is great with other dogs and people.
Clever and so loving-would not be without her

Love this! Yes, our family came to stay and we just loved their MS as we hadn't spent much time with her due to covid...

OP posts:

Original poster

Monkeypuzzletreat · 05/04/2022 20:49

@lollipopsandrainbows

Male Lhasa was 3 when we introduced second Lhasa. Pros - pup quickly picked up toilet training and didn't get into any bad traits such as chewing or being destructive. But that really is where the pros stop.

Lhasa two (also male) is nothing like older boy personality wise. He's a barker, hates other dogs, pulls on the lead and due to his hatred of other dogs he makes (what used to be lovely) walks a nightmare. We holiday a lot in the UK and I can hand on heart say he's making life very difficult for us. We can't take him to the beach as he's constantly lunging and barking at other dogs. We can't leave him in the caravan for even short periods due to the constant barking. We don't hear a peep from our older boy, he's so chilled out and loves other dogs. We've tried 3 behaviourists so far, things settle for a while and then spring back again.

So, for me going to two dogs was the wrong thing to do. I suppose my advice is bare in mind no two dogs are the same.

Thanks for that - really good advice. sorry its been so hard for you, you sound like really caring and thoughtful owners. I really hope it gets better and easier for you.

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WorryMcGee · 05/04/2022 21:13

We got a second Labrador when our first was four years old. We love her to bits and would never be without her but both of us agree we won’t have two again. We didn’t think life would be much more complicated with two but it is - even pretty basic campsites have one dog policies and we didn’t even consider this at the time. Also going anywhere is harder when they take up the whole boot haha. I’m glad that we’ll have her when we eventually lose our wonderful boy though, he’s the first pet I’ve ever had and the world’s best boy. I have nightmares about losing him and I know I’ll cope better having his sister for comfort (ugh I hate even writing that)

strawberrysurprise · 05/04/2022 21:17

1 to 2 worked really well for us. Although I did expect them to be very cuddly and lovey together which didn't happen until years down the line!
It was going from 2+ where the problems began!

Giggorata · 05/04/2022 22:45

We always have multiple dogs, for all the good reasons stated above, and we generally stagger them so we don't get puppyhood or older age together.
It stemmed from a beloved old boy dying and the remaining dog went into a deep depression. He stopped eating, stopped barking and moped. It was distressing to see.
We ended up buying him a puppy, (or that's what we say.)
The pup was for all of us really, of course. But it cheered him so much, he went back to his normal cheerful self and they were inseparable until he went. In fact, he let her get away with murder, taking his toys, chews and sleeping on top of him even when she was nearly as big as he was.
So we now vary between 2 and 3 dogs, so that we never have a bereaved dog left alone.
I should add that it is easy to manage, as ours are all working breeds and are in a run with kennel during the day, and pile into a van when we go out. We also have friends with kennels who have them if we go away.