posted 11-22-2003 07:25 PM         

How do you manage walks? Take them together? How? Use one of those splitter leads? What if the dogs are not matched in size? If you take one at a time, does the other dog howl until the first returns?

Is there more hyper time with two dogs? Like one is settling down but the other gets it riled up and vice versa? Or less because they will play together?

Will two dogs tend to gang up on the cats, or take the focus off the cats since the dogs have their own playmates?

Does feeding time with multiple dogs become an issue?

Training. You have to train them separately. Do they forget their training when you put them back together?

Jealousy. How to you deal with one dog being jealous of you petting the other? What if one is a cuddle bug and the non-cuddle bug doesn't want to cuddle but doesn't want anyone else to cuddle either?

When you add a dog to a household, do you feel like the existing dog is getting shorted on attention? Do you feel less bonded to each dog than you would if they were only dogs?

Do they sleep cuddled together like cats do? Is it possible to do things with only one dog, or does the other go berserk?

Is it addictive? How many dogs is enough?

I know some of this is dependent on the two dogs, but can anyone share their experience?

posted 11-22-2003 10:19 PM         

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[This message has been edited by nern (edited 11-22-2003).]

posted 11-23-2003 08:28 AM         

My thoughts, in no particular order:

First, an opinion, for what it's worth: I don't know if I would get a second dog until I had the first one under pretty good control. Adding to your work load won't make dealing with your first dog any easier. It sounds like you're doing all the right things so far, though, and not giving up, which is very admirable!

Masochist that I am, I have 2 puppies, a 7-month-old Australian Shepherd (neutered male, Luc) and a 2 1/2-month-old Husky mix (spayed female, Gracie). Gracie has been with us for just under 2 weeks now.

As far as cost goes, I already had a small wire crate I used for Luc, for which I bought a new pad. I also bought a few toys for Gracie's exclusive use, and a new harness and leash. So there wasn't much in equipment start-up costs.

There are vet costs, of course; in addition to shots and so on, I take my pups in twice a year for a general look-over. And I use a professional groomer for their nails every couple of weeks (Gracie had her first visit yesterday) and a bath as needed. The groomer is discretionary, of course, but a good one who knows your dog(s) can often give you a heads-up on incipient health problems.

It is absolutely essential that two such young dogs (or any dogs, really) be crate-trained; otherwise, you'd better have three hands and the ability to be in two places at once.

Gracie is going through house-breaking. Because she was a shelter puppy, she was in the habit of peeing and pooping in "her area" when the urge hit, and she's both peed and pooped inside her crate -- something that Luc never did, even at 8 weeks. But pound puppies do have a few bad habits that have to be patiently worked through. When she does that, it's my fault for not taking her out frequently enough, so I don't discipline her. Dogs hate going in their space, and she'll catch on soon enough.

I feed Luc Pinnacle kibble (not a "puppy food"), and feed Gracie the same thing. They both love it, and feeding them the same food simplifies things. I feed them separately, twice a day, so the little one can eat and drink in peace.

Once or twice a day I let them at each other, in a supervised setting (confined area, me or my wife present). Luc, at 50 pounds, just bowls Gracie over. But she gives as good as she gets, and when she gets bigger (she's only 15 pounds now) I'm sure she'll be the alpha dog. Right now, neither is, as neither will submit to the other.

I notice when they play that their bites are usually very restrained, but as soon as one or the other growls, that's the end of play time -- back into the crate for Gracie. Luc generally is trustworthy, and only goes into his crate when we leave the house, when I feed Gracie, or when he needs a time-out.

The rest of the time, they can play when Gracie is in a protected setting (i.e., she's on the bed and he's on the floor trying to get her, or through the wide-spaced mesh of her crate). They're getting quite used to each other, but still cannot be together calmly.

Among other things, that means no feeding together, no walks together, and no going out to poop together.

I feed them both twice a day -- usually her first, with him looking through a child gate I set up to close off the kitchen. Then I take her out to pee/poop, then pop her into her crate and feed Luc and let him out.

After Luc has eaten I put him in his crate and take Gracie for a walk and playtime outside the house. Luc howled the first few times I did this, but now he seems to know he'll get his turn. When I'm done with Gracie, out comes Luc for his own walk and playtime.

When my wife is home, especially on weekends, she usually handles one of them. But I work from home, and the responsibility is mine, so during the work week I usually do it myself.

Training and socialization are essential. Luc has been through basic obedience training, and will be starting Intermediate obedience in January, Gracie will be starting basic obedience, also in January, at the West LA Obedience Club.

I know it's going to get easier soon, but at the moment caring for two puppies can be frazzling. Luc should calm down some, and once the pack order is established between them things will be calmer.

I don't think the adjustment has been easy for Luc, who is a very pampered show puppy, but my take on that is the same as it was with my kids: the sooner you learn that you're not the center of the universe, the sooner you'll become an actual adult. It worked for them, and it'll work for him, too.

As far as bonding is concerned, I think it took me a week to bond to Gracie (less for my wife). I had put so much into Luc since we got him that I felt a little guilty about sharing that attention.

Then I figuratively slapped myself across the face and said, ala Cher in Moonstruck: "Snap out of it!" So I did, and now can't imagine not having Gracie.

I don't think I've directly answered your questions, Jamiya, but you've had other, more sensible replies than mine. I just thought I'd share my experience of having two puppies, as it's so recent.

Whatever you choose to do, good luck!

Philip

posted 11-23-2003 03:53 PM         

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How do you manage walks? Take them together? How? Use one of those splitter leads? What if the dogs are not matched in size? If you take one at a time, does the other dog howl until the first returns?

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Also important to note if you plan on walking two dogs together is that two dogs who learn to work together to get somewhere (as opposed to both pulling in opposite directions, fighting each other) will be MUCH stronger than you would think, especially if they really want to get somewhere.

Here, we sometimes do groups to take the dogs for walks, sometimes individual chances. Haley is walked alone, unless there are two people, one walking her, one walking another dog.... she heats up really quickly and will redirect onto any dog nearby, I wouldn't want to try to keep her and another dog seperate. Goo is usually walked alone, though I occasionally will let Annie come along on our walks to the field (we go at 1-3 am, very little chance of us meeting up with another dog or person), either harnessing both and ponying Annie off Goo, or hooking Annie to my waist, so that I still have both hands to control Goo if I need to. The three little dogs I usually walk in one group if I take more than one, it's just easier that way, and I don't have to come back for the one straggler. Of course, we never go anywhere that's populated, so I don't have to worry about all three carrying on and trying to ski me along after something. Other than that, all walks are seperate. Certain dogs (cough cough, Annie and Goo, spoiled brats) may carry on for a few minutes after I leave if they thought they were next, but they settle down soon after I leave, and get over it once they get their turns.

quote:

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Is there more hyper time with two dogs? Like one is settling down but the other gets it riled up and vice versa? Or less because they will play together?

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quote:

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Will two dogs tend to gang up on the cats, or take the focus off the cats since the dogs have their own playmates?

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quote:

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Does feeding time with multiple dogs become an issue?

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quote:

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Training. You have to train them separately. Do they forget their training when you put them back together?

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quote:

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Jealousy. How to you deal with one dog being jealous of you petting the other? What if one is a cuddle bug and the non-cuddle bug doesn't want to cuddle but doesn't want anyone else to cuddle either?

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quote:

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When you add a dog to a household, do you feel like the existing dog is getting shorted on attention? Do you feel less bonded to each dog than you would if they were only dogs?

---

quote:

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Do they sleep cuddled together like cats do?

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quote:

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Is it possible to do things with only one dog, or does the other go berserk?

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quote:

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Is it addictive? How many dogs is enough?

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posted 11-25-2003 06:06 PM         

I've got a 7 month old dog and our new 8 yr old dog. I can answer from my experience - but I bet different dogs -different dynamics.

I can't walk them together because they each try to be in the lead and it gets too hectic. They are much better behaved when alone.

I think the hyping out question depends on the age of the other dog you are getting. I know that some dogs can play wildly in the house, but our old guy isn't interested. In fact, I think the old dog is teaching the puppy some manners.

It's a free for all with the cats. Puppy's attitude is 'thank god there's someone else around here that understands you're supposed to CHASE cats!'

Feeding time is no issue because puppy is submissive.

Older dog came trained so I don't know about training issues.

With petting I got great advice from the book 'The Other End of the Leash' by Patricia McConnell. (I highly, highly recommend that book). You must be in complete control of who gets petting and when - once it is clear that you are in control, then the jealousy issue gets better.

My dogs don't cuddle - if they do it's only for a few minutes and then they find their own spots. They like to stick together though. They are always in the same room.

It's totally addictive!

I think I read somewhere that you were thinking of getting an adult rescue dog - if you talk to the people at the rescue they will probably be able to find the best match for your situation. (I imagine that would be a mellow, even tempered dog.)

Now that we've adopted an older dog, I can honestly say that I'd never buy a puppy again. Having the combo of our two dogs has been fabulous so far!!!

posted 11-26-2003 07:48 AM         

Sleep:
Yes, they sleep curled up with each other like the cats or with the cats, they both have their own crates or as we call them ‘rooms’ Indy likes to take naps in there. On the beed at night Indy needs to sleep on me! And Mushka cuddles up with ‘dad’ through in a few cats and its nice and cozy!

Play:
They love to play with one another, and we (my husband and I) also give them each one on one time.

Walks: Haha, Mushka and Indy are both about 50 pounds each, I have a sled team! Usually there is one dog per person, but I do taken them on walks together, it’s a bit messy with the 5 foot leads getting tangled up a bit, and they both want to be ‘the front dog’. I swear Mushka sticks her nose out a litter farther just to be first! But it’s not too hard. My girls don’t go poopies outside their yard so I never have to stop to clean up.

Food: Mushka is such a princess, today she did not feel like eating, so I had to give her one piece of dog food at a time this morning until she decided it was ok to stick her face in the dish and eat like a normal dog! Indy on the other hand is nuts about food, she gobbles it up and looks for more! I think she has some issues from being a stray and not getting food on a regular basis. We have Indy sit and wait until we say “Ok” for her to eat her food. I have her stop and wait again half way through eating in hopes of slowing her down, and then when she is done she lies down and waits for Mushka to finish eating. Indy will also try to eat the cat’s food, but I have her lay down next to the cat dishes and wait until the cats are done. Its amazing to think she can control herself in the food situations and I hope I am teaching her that she always will have her own food to eat.

Cats:
It depends on the dog or dogs; every now and then there is the ‘lets get the cats’ but its just play, although the dogs do eat most of the cats toys. And it depends on the cat, some cats don’t like dogs, and some do.