New Member

Posts: 6
From:Kaysville UT USA
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 08-12-2003 08:40 PM         

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I am really desperate to know if I will be making a mistake getting a second dog. Anyone had a bad experience adding a second dog? Anyone with a positive experience with two dogs? I really want a second dog, but I don't want to be sorry after the fact.

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Member

Posts: 473
From:NY, USA
Registered: Oct 2002

posted 08-12-2003 09:25 PM            

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I think it probably would depend on your dog. How old is your current dog? An older dog that is used to being "the only dog" may have a harder time adjusting to a new housemate. Has he been well socialized well with other dogs? How does he act when other dogs come to your home? Is he so spoiled that the addition of another dog might cause behavior problems when he has to share your attention? Are you prepared (financially) to care for 2 dogs? Two dogs means double vet bills and double feeding bills. These are a few things to consider before making a decision.
Last year I took in a second dog. My aussie x was 2yrs old and spayed at that time and I took in a 6yr old neutered toy poodle. The poodle was booted from his previous home after they got a second dog. The poodle would mark all over the house, eat the rugs and attack the other dog. Amazingly, he and my aussie x adjusted to each other quite well and get along great. My aussie x was very well socialized with all types of other animals and was used to having different dogs around because I doggy-sat sometimes for some of my relatives so the adjustment was quite easy for her.
Hope this helps

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New Member

Posts: 6
From:Kaysville UT USA
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 08-13-2003 07:03 AM         

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My dog is almost eight months old. and neutered He isn't around other dogs a lot, but my neighbor brings his dog over sometimes and they play great together. No other dogs have been in our house. This play takes place outside. Sage is friendly with everyone. He loves kids.

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Member

Posts: 73
From:evesham, New Jersey, USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 08-13-2003 04:16 PM            

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I just added a new puppy and they get along fine. teddy is almost a year and miette is two months. They eat out of the same bowl and never fuss over food. Occasionally they get little rough while playing but that's it. I read, that if the new dog is smaller and a female, the older dog if it's a male does not see them as such a threat and usually will welcome them. They really like each other and get upset when I seperate them and I've only had Miette about a 3 weeks now.

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Member

Posts: 73
From:evesham, New Jersey, USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 08-13-2003 04:18 PM            

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One more thing, I think it's less of a problem because they keep each other occupied before when it was just Teddy, I was the only one for him to play with unless we went to the dog park or obediance class, so now I have a little more time to myself in the evening because that's there play time together.

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Member

Posts: 616
From:,Calif. U.S.A.
Registered: Dec 2002

posted 08-13-2003 05:07 PM         

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Your dog is young and should be fine. Best bet is to get a female since you have a male already. If at all possible bring your dog to meet him/her before hand and see from there. If they absolutley hate each other then try a different dog. Younger dogs deal best with each other. My poodle can't stand when my younger dog is too close but other than that everything is fine. No fights. Just at first Sasha set the boundries and Rufus follows them. Alittle lip nipping but nothing worse. If the dog you have now is a strong Alpha male try to get a omega female or even male, but what male does not want to be around a female dog. Mine worked out fine. I got Rufus then two months later got sasha. Within 4 months I went from no dogs to two. They really are more comfortable with another dog when their humans are not at home. If you can afford it go for it.

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New Member

Posts: 6
From:Kaysville UT USA
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 08-13-2003 06:32 PM         

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Thanks so much everybody for your thoughtful responses. You reinforce my inner feeling that two dogs will be the best thing for us.

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Member

Posts: 40
From:
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 08-15-2003 07:21 PM         

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I love having 2 dogs and probably will never have less than that again. It's nice that they have a built in buddy all the time to play with. The only time it was overwhelming for me to have 2 was when my kids were small. You have the ideal situation with being retired and having a lot of time. I'm sure your dog would love to have a buddy. I have been told that either 2 neutered males or a male and female work best. Two females can have issues. I have experienced that when I have had 2 females. I now have a male and a female. I think it would be fine for you to have two.

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Moderator

Posts: 364
From:Tennessee, USA
Registered: May 2003

posted 08-16-2003 06:27 AM            

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We have a yorkie but then I decided to get a maltese and we have had no problems !

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