Getting a second dog, I'd value your thoughts.

lindsayH

lindsayH

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I currently have a 7 year old collie bitch (neutered) and I've been thinking for a while about getting a second (older) dog. She was my first dog although I fostered dogs for years before she came along. I like being a one dog owner, we have a fantastic relationship and I find one smallish dog easy to cope with. I've always thought she was happier being an only dog as she's fairly unsociable but now I'm wondering if this is really the case. I looked after a friend's dog for a week recently and although she mostly completely ignored him as usual, after a few days she did seem more relaxed generally.

To sum up, my reasons for getting another dog would be:
- As company for my dog.
- To offer a home to an older collie who needs one.
- To reduce the intensity of the relationship with my current dog. I know this sounds a bit odd but we've barely left each others sides in 7 years and I'm not sure it's entirely healthy for either of us... I'm starting to wonder how I'll cope when I lose her.

My main reservations are:
- The practicalities of two dogs (I remember going from one horse to two, it was quite a jump).
- Ruining the relationship with my dog.
- Upsetting my dog/them not getting on/realising she did prefer being an only dog.

I appreciate that it may seem to some like I'm making a mountain out of a molehill but I like to think things through carefully before doing them, especially where animals are involved. I would like to hear from anyone who has made the jump from one dog to two and how it went. Also, how do you manage training/communication with multiple dogs? I have found it difficult to get them to understand which one I'm talking to, especially when I'm trying to get them to do different things! Does this improve with practise?? Sorry for the waffle, it helps to put ones thoughts on paper so to speak and I'd be interested in your thoughts.
 
I have had more than one dog at a time in the past. I liked that they were company for each other when i was out and that they always had someone to play with. I never had a problem communicating as they all knew their name. I always did the odd thing with each of them so that we could spend 1 to 1 time together and that they could be seperated from each other if need be. I would take them one at a time to do training stuff. I do now quite like the relationship with 1 dog. I don't think you are making a mountain out of a molehill, it's a big decision so you should take time over it, nice that you are going to get an older one, there are lots that need homes.
 
LindsayH, a year ago I was in exactly the same position as you, having exactly the same thoughts and doubts. Hubby and I had a 7 year old terrier, who we'd had for about 4 years. We thought long and hard about getting a second dog. I knew Dougal would benefit from company on the rare occasions he was on his own for a while. Plus I also had an intense relationship with him, as he came to my office with me most days.

We looked at and met several dogs in rescues - older ones mainly. Dougal was picky with the dogs he got on with so we knew we had to do careful introductions.

But, well, they say you get the dog you need, not the dog you want. And we finally took the plunge when a friend's mum became terminally ill and needed to rehome one of her dogs - Katy, a 2 year old border terrier. We loved BTs but thought Katy was too young.

But once we saw her and Dougal together, we just knew they were right for each other!

They got on perfectly from day one. It was fascinating watching Katy learn the ways of our house from Dougal - for instance she had been used to leaping straight out of the back of the car. Dougal waited until he was told to come out. Within days Katy was waiting, just like Dougal.

The only downside was that Katy initially pulled on the lead and Dougal began pulling too, getting very competitive. We worked with each of them separately and it became a lot better.

The best part for me was knowing that Dougal was happier when we went out. He never truly relaxed before, when he was on his own in the house. Once Katy arrived, you could see him relax and we would find him sleeping on the sofa when we returned.

Sadly we only had them together for 6 months as Dougal died suddenly in November. Thank god we had Katy to help us through our grief.

We had to take out time mourning him but we now feel ready to get another dog. Katy has been fine on her own - she is a much more easy going dog than Dougal was. But I know she will enjoy canine company in the house again.

Seeing how happy Dougal & Katy were together, I wish we'd got a second dog much earlier. :)
 
Bless you, definately a story of a dog finding you when you were going to need her xx

OP, I think most dogs would thank you for bringing a companion for them into your home, they are after all pack animals. I find it is a little bit more difficult to train two, & it's important to give them some one to one training when possible. But you do have two hands, so i'd say it's worth utilising the spare one! :)

I have four dogs - we went from two to four in a fairly short period of time. Not at all planned, it just happened. :rolleyes: My original two are "oldies", & the more recent two arrived as a 16week old & (a good few months later), a 6month old, so both pups really. It did take the oldies a while to accept the first pup (i think by the second they were more open!) - initially we had quite a few growly moments when the pup arrived, but we just kept a careful eye on things. It took a week or two for the oldies to truly accept the new puppy. These days, they all adore each other - the young ones positively hero-worship their old "Uncle Lusso"! I make sure that the oldies, especially my old deaf girl, can get away & have some peace by themselves if they need it, but they do tend all to want to be together.

I guess what i'm trying to say is that you may be lucky & find a new dog fits right in, but don't be disheartened if it takes a while for her to adjust. You'll have the benefit of being able to choose a personality which will fit in with your dogs temperament too.

I don't think your relationship will be compromised at all - i have a unique relationship with each & everyone of my dogs & horses too - they're all different & i guess i love them all in slightly different ways.
 
I lost my 15 yo Border Collie just over 3 weeks ago. I have a rising 7 Bernese Mountain dog - he's a sad boy :(

I seem to always have this situation (well every few years) - I lose the older one and get a puppy which gives the older dog a new lease of life and they are very good at training the youngsters.

That said with the awful weather we've been having I am not missing double the dirt!

OH has always wanted a flat coat so plan is to go down that route nearer the when teacher OH has 2 months off.

I know BMD doesn't like male black dogs so will be looking for a young bitch as I know he'll love have another girly to keep him in line!

I don't think going from 1 to 2 dogs is comparable to going from 1 to 2 horses (I have two horses too!) and have never had a problem with jealousy (I have two hands for stroking) nor with training/confusing them as talk to them using their name at start of sentence.
 
Thank you everyone for your thoughts, I've found them very helpful.

Katy sounds like a star Red, I'm sorry to hear about Dougal but glad that she's been able to give you some comfort.

Sorry to hear about your collie Nicnac, I hope you and your boy find a perfect new friend.

Is it a given that I'd be better looking for a male dog if I went ahead? I prefer bitches generally but it's more important that they get on.

It is obviously just me that struggles to get two dogs at once to do what I want them to :D Hopefully me and my dog will improve with practise!
 
I had the exact same dilemma when my last collie was 7yrs old as I thought that was probably the age when I should and any older might not work. I didn't get another dog but I did start dog walking (and occasional boarding for some that I walk) so she got lots of additional doggy company. Funnily enough I think she enjoyed the company but also quite liked it when it was just us too. I was utterly devastated when I lost her at age 14 but I don't think having another dog would have changed that as she was my first "my own" dog and our bond was so strong.
 
another in the same position earlier this year
I have a collieX who is firmly 'my girl' and now 5.
I got another rescue during the summer. I had a least a 2 month settling period where everyone worked out where they stood. But they are now firm mates and I love having 2 dogs now. But i still make time for just 'my girl' who loves to sleep beside me while i read while the other one is off outside getting up to mischief:rolleyes:
 
In the past we have usually taken on a younger dog as one is getting older and less able to go on long walks with my OH who walks regularly 6 - 8 miles. We have found that the younger dog has been so much easier to train with an older one in the family. We have noticed his time as current dog is an only one he has been more difficult to train. We unexpectly lost our older bitch (she was 15) and 7 year old dog a few months later when he was pts as he had a tumor, which left us devastated and unexpectly dogless.

So like you OP we are wondering when is the right time to introduce another dog, do we get an older bitch or a younger one, I guess when we feel the time is right we will see who Charlie gets on with and give them time to meet etc.
 
This is interesting, I have a 7 year old rescue dog who loves being at home on the sofa, doesnt really bother about dogs when we meet them out, has a growl at the odd one, has growled at another dog when it came close to me as he is a little protective. I would like another dog but dont want to upset current one. In past times I have always had two dogs but not ever had a slightly protective one befoer. Wonder how to go about getting another (rescue) as wouldnt like to have to send it back. Would a bitch be more suitable or another dog do you think ?
 
The normal route most rescues take is to introduce the original dog to the potential dog in a neutral environment, normal is a walk with both on a lead and of that goes well, introduction off lead. In my case this then moved up to seeing if my Stafford older bitch would allow the younger dog in the car. Mine repeated this and then 3rd visit was new dog to the house. I have done this with both my additional staffords and worked well.

I originally wanted an older Stafford boy to keep my then 7 year old bitch company but the rescue said as I was active a younger dog who would be submissive to the older bitch would be better.

As long as you take your time introducing the dogs, understand that not all will click it can work really well. I also, as staffords are highly energetic ensured that all my dogs were suitably knackered before they met a new dog though!
 
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