Going from one dog to two - pros and cons

[Greentick123]

Trying to decide if this would be good or just make our lives harder!

We have a lovely 8 year spaniel that we have had from a puppy and thinking of getting another maybe spaniel or maybe different but with similar exercise needs.

Ddog would not be happy to start with but I’m sure would get used to the idea. Would probably try and get a rescue as now no children it should be easier.

But how much harder will it be or what positives have I not thought of (other than another dog to love!)

I have to be honest, if you know your dog wouldn’t be happy ‘to start with’ I don’t think you can rely on them ‘getting used’ to the idea. And I think it would be cruel to put an older dog through that.

I know people who have spent years separating their dogs as they don’t get on. That means separate walks, sitting separately so there’s an adult with one dog at all times - not leaving them alone - separate feeding, separate trips in the car etc.

Ultimately, it’s your choice but in your situation if I knew my dog wouldn’t be unhappy - even to start with - I would never put them through it.

We only ever had one dog, the first for 13 years and the second dog for 10 years. When the second dog was 10 I was convinced by the family to get a second dog. I’m so glad they won me over. It gave the old girl a new lease of life and she set a good example for the puppy. Never regretted it and I was so against it to start. The pup was 3 when the old girl passed and we got another pup a couple of months later and the difference in dog two was instant, she matured almost overnight and became the example to the new pup that the old girl had been to her.

we have two but the first one loved other doggy company so was an easy choice. Now we have two it’s SO much easier. They keep eachother company. If you’re unsure, maybe borrow a friends dog overnight / for a weekend. If your dog is at all territorial or grumpy then you could be setting yourself up for a hard journey.
also - in getting two, the “exit plan” is harder. We know when one dies the other will go to pieces.

I’ve only known two people to do this, but in both cases the first dog never recovered from it. They remained noticeably changed dogs, and not for the better. Bluntly they looked miserable. They went from being happy secure dogs, secure of their place in the family to miserable, usurped, insecure dogs. And they stayed in that ‘low status’ mentality.

Based on that I would very firmly say don’t do it. It’s not fair on the first dog.

If your spaniel won't be happy, then it will make your life harder. There are no guarantees that they will 'get used to it'.
I had a dog who loved every dog he met. I added a second and he hated her. I had to keep them totally separated for three months. Things improved after that, but they always had a love/hate relationship.

We were multi dog for years but there's no easy answer - it either works or it doesn't. It completely depends on the dogs.

Our first time we were lucky, that was introducing a 7 week old female pup to our 4 year old entire male of the same breed. They slept in the same room from the first night and never had a disagreement in the 6 years they were together. The second time was 8 week old male puppy to 8 year old bitch - that was a disaster - she hated him from the moment he arrived and they lived in separate rooms for the first two years until she finally learned to tolerate him.

Plus points are that if the dogs get along they are company for each other.

Minuses - everything is more complicated, from car travel to vet trips to feeding/play/giving treats. You have to factor in every tiny thing that can go wrong and you really need to establish a good routine.

We're currently pondering whether to get a second dog but with our current girl it's difficult to predict which way it would go. Sometimes I feel she would love a companion but other times I worry that it would make her insecure... There's no easy answer.

Hey OP 👋
Dog mama here. We chose to get a second dog when our daxie was 7 years old last year. She didn’t respond well to pup at first (understandably). It took a few weeks, but they now get on fine! They play with each other, sleep with each other.
Things that helped:

• Supervised time together at first and supervised play.
• Encouraging boundaries on behalf of pup (they’re still learning).
• Joint walks
• Aswell as individual walks
• Lots of positive reinforcement for good behaviour

It can be done.

Interesting! We've always had 2 dogs, because we can't imagine life without a dog ..if your dog wouldn't like the idea,a rescue would be extremely difficult, unless you are ridiculously lucky,they come with issues. A friend recently looked after a friend's rescued chi,, who was absolutely terrified of her pug! I've had dogs since I was a kid, mostly collies,3 rescues, 2 collies, and a setter/lab cross, this was years ago
RSPCA said we couldn't have a bitch with a bitch,(DH was 15) we had quarter acre garden, edge of a village, backing into fields, inspector put "medium size garden!) we got a BC 8 weeks old,DH dog had died, 6 months later,a private rescue another BC bitch at 8 weeks.They got on absolutely fine. A few years later,d cat died, got a Phalene,male, females rare .he was the blues bestie, she died suddenly at 12, other BC black/white was a bit aloof. When she died almost 18, he sat by the front door crying.i was going to wait till I retired in the autumn to get a puppy (I worked nights,DH days) 6 months down the line another BC puppy. At the moment we have a 10 and 2 year old BC. I have had the same vets practice over 25 years, when we got the Phalene he was minute, he said chuck them all in the room together, obviously keep an eye,that dogs won't harm a puppy.it was midnight,yar driven from Sussex to Somerset, but I did it. We had food guarding issues with this last puppy, there has been tiny issues in the past, we've sorted .did dog training, obedience
. BCs are well known for certain issues,we are very laid back, I have some incredibly neurotic friends,guess what their dogs are like!

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DH wasn't 15, his dog was!

Get a rescue. That way Tou can take your dog to meet it prior.

Con - costs! -food, insurance etc

Meeting before hand is great. But just because two dogs get along on neutral territory, it doesn't guarantee they'll get along in the home.

Ddog would not be happy to start with but I’m sure would get used to the idea.

You've just answered your own question - please don't get another dog.

That doesn't guarantee anything, unfortunately. I walk lots of dogs who get on perfectly well on neutral territory and who can travel next to each other in vehicles, but they absolutely would not tolerate each other in the home.

We got a puppy when our older dog was 11. The older one (female) hated the male puppy and would snap at him, making life very difficult. The pup just wanted loving but she didn’t want to give it. It took about 6 months for them to be ok together. Five years on and they are fine and friendly, but now we wonder what the younger one will be like when she’s gone.

Biggest cons for us though have been… if one starts barking, they wind each other up and it gets worse and worse. We simply can’t stop them!
Going away…basically we can’t go abroad as a family as it’s extremely difficult to get someone to look after 2 dogs, (one very old and crotchety by now).
Walking them together is very difficult, as one wants loads of exercise and the older one can’t walk very far at all.
It’s very expensive with jabs, dog food, medicines, vet bills etc.

I don’t think I would ever have 2 dogs together again, unless perhaps they were siblings, or at least of a similar age.

I got a springer when old Lab was 8 and it went swimmingly. However, when old Lab died, at 16, and springer was 8 I got another puppy and it was absolute hell. Had to keep them apart for months before things settled, despite doing it all by the book.. Never again. I still don't think the springer is as happy as he was previously and 'puppy' is now 4.

It’s sad, isn’t it - you just never know how they are going to get on 🥺

A big warning on getting litter mates!

I don’t think I would ever have 2 dogs together again, unless perhaps they were siblings, or at least of a similar age.

Never, ever get littermates!

I actually had litter mates who were a dream despite all the negative press around this. I had male and female and they never had a cross moment, were very attached to each other but also to me. I’ve currently got two same breed but unrelated. First is 3 year old girl second year old boy. They’re highly jealous of each other around my attention and I honestly think they’d both be happier as only dogs. However they wrestle and roll around together and enjoy rough and tumble and it’s mostly tolerable now. When the rough and tumble gets too much one is given a time out. They’re actually great going out together and if they’re walked alone they almost cry to get to the other when home! Must say I enjoy two dogs more than a single

It’s worth pointing out that littermate “syndrome” can occur in similarly aged dogs raised together as well - they don’t necessarily need to be actual siblings (not saying that’s what’s happened to PP but a lot of people aren’t aware of it).

Basically — it’s a risk, and you just don’t know, so be prepared.

Thanks for this I wasn’t aware

Thanks everyone. Lots of helpful and interesting comments.

Ddog is happy with other dogs and we have had dogs to stay etc which she isn’t thrilled about but accepts and anyway there would be an adjustment to start with - I don’t think hardly any dogs are ecstatic about a new dog in the home immediately- which is what I meant by her not liking it to start with.

However what this thread has shown is that while it might be wonderful it could also not be and Ddog might never be happy (and so we wouldn’t be) and there is not any easy way to tell how it would work out. So I don’t think it is worth risking it and glad I posted!

I’ve always introduced a younger dog to an existing pet. I’ve not had any issues but obviously there are no guarantees. I was able to be at home for at least two weeks after new dog arriving.
Currently have a 15yr old bitch and a nearly 4 yr old dog who came to us at 8 weeks. Old dog thought puppy was a bit of a nuisance but they were fine and have become very close. I can’t walk them together anymore as their needs are so disparate.
We regularly dog sit for family dogs and they all get on fine.
If you get a rescue, as pp said, do introduce first and at least one introduction at your home. A decent rescue will want this anyway.
Whatever your decision, enjoy.