Getting a 2nd dog, how do you decide?

[MarySuePleasant]

I have a 3 year old working cocker. He has a great life and is very content - we are rural so he gets plenty of off lead walks in the woods, beach etc. He also comes running with me. We tend to do dog friendly things on weekends so he comes with us everywhere and is never left really. Only if it’s for a few hours max or with family who also have dogs that he gets on with.

I grew up with multiple dogs and so did DH so the conversation of whether to get another has come up.

He is very sociable and is always up for playing with other dogs, but loves ALL the attention so I worry another dog would put his nose out of joint. But I also think it would be great company for him and someone to play/explore with and chill at home with when we are out!

Would love to hear how people decided to get a second and how it went!

A lot depends on the first dog. We've done it a few times now. At worst, we've had two dogs who would sunbathe together, squeezed into the same patch of warmth, but generally gave each other space and always went to their own bed at night. Neither of those two dogs was hugely sociable - one was very independent and the other always a bit wary of other dogs. They weren't close, but they got on perfectly well.

Our current two dogs get on brilliantly. The older one is definitely in charge (she is what you might call a strong personality), but they play a lot, and share a bed out of choice. They spend most of their time at home within a few feet of each other. In this case, the older dog was hugely social and was utterly delighted when the puppy turned up.

In your case, I suspect it would all go well. Perhaps you see how your dog is with another dog staying for the weekend, which will give you some idea. Beyond that, an intro on neutral ground is always a good start when you get a new dog.

We did the thing you’re not supposed to do and got another dog to help out our first anxious dog. We knew she gained a lot of confidence from other dogs and I just had a hunch that the right dog could bring her out of her shell. We chose him extremely carefully for his friendly, confident temperament and worked really hard for weeks to make sure the introduction period went well. He has transformed all our lives for the better. It is so, so lovely watching their relationship develop and to see them play together. First dog has a lot more fun and they are genuinely friends.
Two dogs are kind of annoying to begin with if you get a puppy as they need separate walks, and then when you can walk them together this is a pita if you’re on your own. They’re obviously more expensive and there is an awful lot of poo, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.

We have two and wish that we hadn't got the second one. At times they will cuddle up together and the next second they are fighting like crazy. The older one gets really jealous of the younger one. I honestly wish I could go back and not get the second dog, even though she's really cute and cuddly.

Just seen that yours is 3, which I think helps. We waited too long to get the second one, our older one was 10 when we got the second.

We have had two dogs for years and then had 4 years with just one but I have now two dogs again. 1 is now elderly although has lived with another dog for 8 years (who he seemed pretty devoted too) and has also always got on well with other dogs providing they are not enormous bouncy dogs who are clumsy and stand on him or knock him over, the other is a young dog. The old dog is definitely in charge and at one stage would stop the younger one from getting to the water bowls so I now have three water bowls organised so the the old dog can’t block all three at the same time. But they happily sit in the boot of my car together for any length of journey lay within feet of each other on the floor sniff at the same bush when out walking they occasionally sleep in the same bed although I’m not sure the young dog likes it but he wouldn’t challenge the older dog. The young dog is very chilled and has no desire to rock the boat or challenged the older dog (he goes out of his way to avoid causing trouble) the older dogs is a bit more stressy. Also the young dog can be quite boisterous so I separate then at night so that they both get a break from each other this definitely helped their relationship.
It’s great having two dogs again.

Our dog is just about to turn 1, and I think he would thrive with another dog in the house.

He's such a lovely, friendly boy - a bit too over friendly really, and I've noticed how much more relaxed and well mannered he is towards other dogs when we are out with his 'doggy friends'

Unfortunately, I don't think we could afford the insurance, healthy pet plan, food and general other costs that would come from having another

I have a multi dog household but get the new dogs because we want them not for our existing dogs. We work our dogs so there is line of retired dog, working dogs and dogs in training in our household. There are all pets as well though so live in the house with us.

They all get on together but we do not really encourage them to bundle in together. They are all trained and often walked separately.
They can be very quick to pick up on existing bad habits rather than the good ones My collies would love to be the only dog in the house but the lab would love to have loads of other labs to be with. The wcs dont sit still enough to notice the other dogs, they occasionally sleep together if it is cold.

Different breeds do react differently eg the collies will herd the labradors retrieving dummies and look in surprise when he picks them up and brings them back to us. The Lab has no idea why the collies herd the sheep and literally sits and watches with his head tilted. So mixing breeds can sometimes cause issues.

If you want another dog get one for you but do not get one for your dog.