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Posted by	Topic subject: Should we get a second dog?
brentmaher New Member Posts: 2 From:Milwaukee, wi Registered: Nov 2003	posted 11-16-2003 10:44 AM Should we get a second dog? We have a 1 ½ yr old male Golden Retriever, Bailey. He’s absolutely wonderful. We worked with him and a trainer when he was a pup for weeks and the net result was a very happy, loving, well behaved dog (much credit to our trainer that trained US). Anyway, we are thinking about getting him a companion. My wife and I both work 40hrs a week and even after a mornings walk, we always feel bad leaving him home to face the next 8 hours alone. When we potty trained Bailey, we had a person that lived at our house that worked 3rd shift to do a LOT of taking the pup out to potty train during our working hours. We no longer have that option! We wouldn’t have any access to him between 7am to 4:30pm M-F Here’s a list of pro’s and con’s that we’ve come up with… Pro’s: Companion for Bailey Fun to have a puppy around Con’s: Time for potty/behavior training Puppy start up costs (vet & shots) More difficult to find dog sitter with two dogs QUESTIONS - Does having an adult dog make puppy training any easier? - What pro’s and con’s can someone who’s gotten a second dog add to this list? - If you have 2 dogs… do you feel twice as guilty when leaving for work? - Is our Bailey who is spoiled rotten going to be very Jealous? IP: Logged
Lucky Member Posts: 75 From: Registered: Jun 2003	posted 11-16-2003 05:18 PM We just got a second dog. We've got a six month old puppy (golden retriever cross)and just adopted an 8 year old German Shep. cross. I am so happy that we adopted an older dog. He is a calming influence on our younger dog and he is house-trained and well-mannered. He keeps the puppy company. It's just a great experience so far. Our puppy was terribly spoiled - but she likes the stimulation of having the other dog around. She isn't jealous at all. So, speaking from personal experience and knowing that there are lots of great adult dogs that need good, loving homes, I'd recommend an adult dog of a different sex to join the household! Check out Petfinder.com IP: Logged
Sweet Pea New Member Posts: 8 From:Flordia,U S Registered: Nov 2003	posted 11-16-2003 05:38 PM I think getting another dog is a great idea. Dogs are pack animals so they love having other dogs around. I also think that it improves the health of the dog and keeps the dog younger much longer. I have a 10 year old retriever and 3 year old sheltie. I think that the sheltie keeps the retriever stay younger and healthier then most dogs her age. I dont think it matters if the dog that you get is younger or older, but if you get an older potty trained dog then that takes away one of the cons that you listed. Best wishes on picking your dog out. IP: Logged
puttin510 Member Posts: 839 From:,Calif. U.S.A. Registered: Dec 2002	posted 11-16-2003 08:04 PM I believe you getting another dog would fully benifit bailey. No-one likes to be alone. They could play and bark at cats together. my dog loves having my second one there. It is less stressful for him too. ------------------ IP: Logged
Karriesue Member Posts: 110 From:Nellis AFB, Nevada Registered: Jun 2003	posted 11-16-2003 08:42 PM We got our second Husky several months ago and Brute was a wonderful addition to our family and the perfect companion to Bailey (Yep! We named our Husky Bailey too! Popular name!) We love the Husky breed and they are VERY energetic so we thought Bailey would enjoy another energetic "individual" to unleash all that energy with. So we weighed the pros and cons like you did and ultimately decided we could handle a second dog. It was a little awkward at first learning how to deal with two but we found our nich and don't regret it. Brute is a wonderful dog! Anyways, I think that it is ultimately up to YOU whether or not to get a second dog. Don't do it solely to keep your dog company. Two dogs require twice as much attention, love, and companionship. YOU are the one to pay the extra vet and food costs. YOU are the one who will clean up after him, and YOU are the one to decide if you have the extra time to spend with two animals. If the answer is yes to the above questions then by all means consider it. I don't think you need to worry about jealousy. Labs are all around friendly and would probably love the new addition. You might want to consider an older dog. You wouldn't have to potty train him and would most likely be easier to handle. Look into the breed rescues. They look at the individual dog and try to match them up to compatible families. It does sound like you have done some serious thinking over this and would be a good candidate for a second dog. But only if you think it is right for you. Good luck in your decision!! Keep us posted! IP: Logged
Maisey Member Posts: 585 From:Portland, Oregon US Registered: Sep 2003	posted 11-17-2003 12:34 AM I have the feeling since you have obviously put much thought into this...you will make the right choice for your family. Now I couldn't resist this...check out the smile! http://www.petfinder.org/pet.cgi?action=2&pet=2234762&adTarget=468doggeneral&SessionID=3fb8861c661e875e-app3&display=&preview=1&row=475&tmpl= IP: Logged
pbendavid New Member Posts: 8 From:Chatsworth, CA Registered: Nov 2003	posted 11-17-2003 09:18 AM I have a 7-month-old neutered male Aussie, and though I work at home, I decided he needed more company. So last week I adopted a 10-week-old spayed female Husky/Shepherd mix from the local shelter. Results so far: I feed them the same food, Pinnacle, so that's one hassle avoided (I never fed the Aussie, Luc, puppy food, either). I have to take them out to do their business separately, because as soon as they're together they're all over each other (in a good way). I also walk them separately, for the same reason. But that will change in time, and they'll be able to do more together, making it easier and less time-consuming for me. They each sleep in their own crates in the bedroom, and are very quiet at night. Luc, the Aussie, spends most of the day outside his crate unless I go out or am dealing with Gracie. Gracie spends most of her day crated, except for feeding, short play periods and going out. So far, it seems more than worth it. I have one show dog and one equally beautiful rescue. Luc will start Intermediate Obedience in January, and Gracie will start Basic Obedience at the same time. I've never had two dogs before, but I love it. A plus is that they both love to ride in the car, so soon I'll be able to take them with me when I go out for errands. I got really lucky - Gracie was already spayed and chipped when I got her, and the total adoption fee was $8 (you read that right). A woman had adopted her, then after a few days decided she couldn't handle a puppy and returned her to the shelter. Fortunately, I showed up just hours later. Feel free to contact me with questions about specific issues. Overall, I find the experience rewarding -- and tiring! Philip IP: Logged
honeybear Member Posts: 373 From: Registered: May 2003	posted 11-17-2003 09:47 AM I agree with the others and would get an older dog. As karriesue said there a a lot of rescue places that can match an older a dog with the one you have. Good luck and let us know what you decide Honeybear IP: Logged
honeybear Member Posts: 373 From: Registered: May 2003	posted 11-17-2003 10:01 AM One other thing on getting another dog to keep yours company. I have 2 dogs, one loves to be outside during the day, the other is a couch potato and wont set foot outside except to go to the bathroom. So I have a dog door. So they really dont keep each other company while we are gone - they do like to play with each other while we are home Honeybear IP: Logged
Jas Moderator Posts: 262 From: Registered: May 2003	posted 11-17-2003 10:01 AM Having a second dog as a companion for the first is a great idea for some.....but as far as getting a puppy when you both are gone 8 hours a day, that is an awfully long time for a pup to be alone. I think you are right to be concerned about that. It's hard for any dog to be alone that long. Do you both work the same hours each day? Is there any flexibility in either of your schedules? With two young dogs it would be difficult to not worry that they are getting into something. Having two 40 hr work weeks I don't think I would go the route of a second puppy (at one year your first dog is still a puppy!!!) UNLESS -someone could come home for lunch -had a good doggie daycare -could hire a dogsitter or dog walker -had family or friends nearby and more than willing to help -could change one of your schedules slightly so dogs are not left alone for more than 4-6 hrs -didn't have to worry about financial costs -had the time to put into training, including separate training with new pup I wouldn't rule out adopting an adult dog, but still to be fair 8 hours alone everyday is hard on any dog, whether you have 1, 2 or 4 dogs. Most dogs usually just sleep when their owners are gone all day (or get into trouble ). I also think you need to give yourself more credit, your golden turned out to be a great dog because YOU put the time and energy into raising him that way! IP: Logged
Jas Moderator Posts: 262 From: Registered: May 2003	posted 11-17-2003 10:29 AM P.S. Your questions: - Does having an adult dog make puppy training any easier? * Yes and no, the 1st dog "shows" the pup a lot, pup usually follows the older dog around. If 1st dog has any bad habits easy for 2nd dog to pick up! Could also depend on what breed or breeds your 2nd dog is. Would you get another golden or ...? - What pro s and con s can someone who s gotten a second dog add to this list? * Pro's - As mentioned great companionship for each other. More likely to tire each other out. One dog is just never enough Con's - With young dogs there is the chance of Bonding to other dog more than the humans. Two young dogs behaving like "puppies" for longer. Listening to the other dog over human i.e. One dog off sniffing or chasing something - you can bet the second one will follow, possibly ignoring your calls. Making sure you have the TIME to work with both dogs as far as training goes, sometimes two separate walks are necessary, separate training IS necessary and making sure you have quality one on one time w/BOTH dogs alone as well as together. P or C - Twice the fun or double trouble? The above usually relates more to having 2 young dogs, I recommend my puppy families wait until their first dog is closer to two years and fully trained (read reliable, obedient and trustworthy!) before getting a puppy. However the above won't always apply if you are adding an older dog. - If you have 2 dogs do you feel twice as guilty when leaving for work? * I always feel guilty for leaving my dogs any length of time! I feel better leaving knowing they are all exercised and tired. - Is our Bailey who is spoiled rotten going to be very Jealous? * I doubt this will be a big concern, but again depends on the individual dog. Many dogs love to have other dogs around but some dogs are human possessive, resource guarders, social butterflies....... IP: Logged
Maisey Member Posts: 585 From:Portland, Oregon US Registered: Sep 2003	posted 11-17-2003 12:18 PM I agree with Jas above, he makes very good points. I feel like it may be unfair for me to comment much though because I only work part time and even then can take my dogs with me, although I usually only take one at a time, it still means they are hardly ever home alone and even then only for short periods. I have three dogs, my Poodle Darby of the three, was here first. Then Dooley, an Aussie/Lab cross. When Dooley was two, I got Witt, he is a Catahoula X and is just turning a year old this month. The latter two are herding type dogs and both learn very quickly. Witt learned ALOT from Dooley. He literally watches Dooley when he is doing tricks for treats, he wants a treat to! At a year old Witt can do all the basics and some tricks like bring in the paper, play dead, roll over, high five, shake, crawl..those sorts of things. They are completely different dogs though, Dooley is easy going, "the mediator". He is very high energy and very active but in a more controlled way. (he tries to hold it together). Witt is alpha, bossy, a bully, very loving and snuggly, comical, silly to the core and has an explosive energy level. (he doesn't hold it together very well yet)Dooley wants to please most everyone, Witt only wants to please me and could care less what anyone else thinks. The two of them are so bonded it makes me afraid what it would be like if something happened to the other. Even though at 2 years old Dooley was very much still a puppy, he was also very adult like in many aspects and I think the timing for bringing in a puppy was perfect. You ultimately have to decide whats best for you, but I think choosing an adult dog may just cancel out some of the cons on your list. Or even just another one year old dog. The dynamics between the three dogs in our house are very interesting, each has their own personality, luckily they all mesh pretty well. The two bigger dogs are buddied up and play together, Darby plays with us when we shut the bigger dogs out of the room. We always introduced our dogs on neutral ground away from our house, which seems to have been a good thing. If you got an adult dog the puppy start up cost would not be there. Usually an adult dog from a rescue has already been spayed/neutered and has generally these days been microchipped. The other con you listed about being harder to find a dog sitter...there are many doggy day cares and pet sitters who are reasonably priced that would be fine with two dogs. I will admit that we used to have my mom watch Darby and she watched Dooley while he was a puppy, but she has two chihuahuas and my dogs would squash them just saying hello, so thats not an option any longer. It is rare that we go anywhere without the dogs and usually when we go out of town, it is for an event having to do with the dogs so they go with us. There are many hotels now that allow dogs. Finding a neighborhood teenager or college student would be an answer to dog sitters, they could come to your house to care for and excersise the dogs, just like when you have kids! As far as walking the dogs one at a time...well I am seeing an oppotunity for you and your wife to start a romantic excersise routine of nightly walks. My husband and I walk the dogs together alot, it is time away from the kids, time to talk, snuggle and laugh together, kinda let the day melt away. Same with obedience classes, do them together! It really is about how much time and energy do you want to make for the dogs? They are a lifetime commitment and I can see that you are taking that seriously. IP: Logged
jmr New Member Posts: 6 From:Tulsa, OK 74104 Registered: Nov 2003	posted 11-17-2003 08:50 PM make sure you are not getting another dog as a "baby-sitter" for your other dog. Remember, you will have to go on twice as many walks, clean up twice as much poop, two times the vet bills, food, obidence classes, etc. If you are willing to do all those things for the next 15 years, I say go for it! Rescuing a dog can be a very rewarding experience but make sure you are ready for the committment! IP: Logged
jmr New Member Posts: 6 From:Tulsa, OK 74104 Registered: Nov 2003	posted 11-17-2003 08:54 PM i just saw- you want a puppy. No way. Rescue an adult dog. You don't feel twice as bad when you leave (I just adopted my second lab). You feel better but there are so many good dogs out there you should never buy a puppy. The world has enough good dogs already that are being killed everyday. IP: Logged
Maisey Member Posts: 585 From:Portland, Oregon US Registered: Sep 2003	posted 11-17-2003 09:50 PM JMR, I disagree with your statement about purchasing a puppy. There is nothing wrong with buying a puppy or adopting one from a rescue or shelter. There is nothing wrong with buying a purebred puppy from a breeder either. I have three dogs that are all recues of one sort or another, but I would and will buy a puppy at some point. To each his or her own when it comes to that decision. A person should not be made to feel bad or guilty because they want a purebred puppy. JMO IP: Logged
Jamiya Member Posts: 501 From: Registered: Sep 2003	posted 11-18-2003 04:53 AM I'm not sure a purebred puppy was mentioned, just "puppy." But either way, I agree with Maisey. JMR, are the puppies in shelters any less deserving of a home than the adults? There are puppies in rescue as well. Should we not adopt puppies from the shelter and instead wait until they are adults with all sorts of issues from being raised in a kennel and THEN adopt them? Please, think before you speak. There have been quite a few hostile and callous posts from you lately, and I'm not sure why it is you are trying to antagonize everyone. Jamiya IP: Logged
susan_cude@hotmail.com Member Posts: 81 From:Santa Maria, Ca. Registered: Nov 2003	posted 11-19-2003 09:11 PM Sounds like you did your homework on this...I congradulate you!!! alot of people don't bother concidering all the pro's and con's until it's too late....I'm impressed! I had no idea how much is involved in having an inside dog, until I got one. Now I wouldn't trade her for ANYTHING but, it is hard sometimes. Exspecially when it comes to sitters.... I just know, you'll make the right decision for your family...Good luck! Sincerely, Susan IP: Logged
brentmaher New Member Posts: 2 From:Milwaukee, wi Registered: Nov 2003	posted 11-22-2003 08:59 AM Everyone… Thanks for all your input. You all have certainly given my wife and I something to think about! I think we would lean more towards adopting a younger Golden Retriever from a rescue organization. We would love to have a pure bread pup but our work schedule just doesn’t seem fair to a potty training pup! I will open up a new post regarding some possible misconceptions we may have about adopting a dog. All, thanks again for all the input! Check out my dog at: http://mahers.us/bailey/bailey.htm -Brent IP: Logged
susan_cude@hotmail.com Member Posts: 81 From:Santa Maria, Ca. Registered: Nov 2003	posted 11-22-2003 09:44 AM Hi, Your wife in the doggie bed is priceless! You should frame that one. Your dog is a beauty....Susan IP: Logged
Karriesue Member Posts: 110 From:Nellis AFB, Nevada Registered: Jun 2003	posted 11-22-2003 05:23 PM Love the pics. You have a beautiful dog! Let us know if we can be of more help. As you can see, this is a great site to come to for help. I've learned alot here! IP: Logged
puttin510 Member Posts: 839 From:,Calif. U.S.A. Registered: Dec 2002	posted 11-22-2003 06:34 PM I can tell from your pictures that you love your dog. He would love a buddy. ------------------ IP: Logged

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