Pros and cons for getting a second dog

[Smith123]

Thinking of getting a second dog, we have a 6 month old Dalmatian.

He is a lovely dog, he just hates being left on his own and gets bored easily!

We are wanting a carming influence so maybe a lab or something similar.

How much more mess are two? We have only ever had them on their own before... Can you leave them on their own for longer with two?

Also I am worried he might torment the poor pup, he likes playing rough at the moment with his friends!!

How much harder work is 2 than 1? I want ours to be more of a dog, outside more etc etc - he is just too attached at the moment...

 

[Black_Horse_White]

I'm thinking of getting a 2nd dog too, I have a 2 year old lab. But as for a calming influence we had a friends 18 month old Dalmation for the weekend, they drove me mad playing constantly all day and most of the night

 

[Smith123]

I'm thinking of getting a 2nd dog too, I have a 2 year old lab. But as for a calming influence we had a friends 18 month old Dalmation for the weekend, they drove me mad playing constantly all day and most of the night

Oh god!! Not what I want, will have to have them outside all day!

 

[PingPongPony]

I don't think a lab would be calm Have you thought of getting a dog from a shelter? Maybe one that is 2 or 3 years old so will be calmer? Or you can get an older dog from preloved or something if shelter won't let you have a dog because you do something ridiculous called 'work'

 

[Smith123]

I don't think a lab would be calm Have you thought of getting a dog from a shelter? Maybe one that is 2 or 3 years old so will be calmer? Or you can get an older dog from preloved or something if shelter won't let you have a dog because you do something ridiculous called 'work'

Yes I have considered an older dog, I would just worry it would come with issues??

 

[robden]

Why not get an older dog, 2 or 3yo from a rescue?

We got a second pup when our boxer was a year old, boxer looks after the jrt like it's her pup but they are wild a lot of the time, running up and down chasing each other, fighting over toys and generally being into everything. On the plus side jrt was house trained within 48 hours as she just copied everything the boxer did and they are great company for each other when we are out

 

[robden]

Sorry PPP, cross posted :-(

 

[Mongoose11]

Do not under estimate how easy one dog is compared to two! I had two dogs until my beloved dalmatian died and I didn't realise how stressful two dogs was until I only had one everything was harder with two dogs, one was a jealous terrier who would suddenly fly at us if we were caught giving the Dally cuddles, getting leads on was wild as they would whip each other into a frenzy..... They did cuddle together nicely and play but overall - for me - one dog has been amazing. I adore animals and have always been a real collector but now I know what having one is like I don't think I will go back to two (and my mum has a litter of andrex pups currently for sale and I am managing to resist ) it doesn't help that my terrier doesn't socialise well perhaps if he did I would have given in by now.

 

[StoptheCavalry]

I got a second dog for pretty much the same reason, it has been a little difficult two is a lot more work than one. But when I watch them playing together and how much they love eachother I remember why we got the second one! The original dog also played really rough with other dogs so we too were worried he would hurt the puppy, he didn't though, the puppy said when he had had enough and we just kept an eye on them initially! They did play constantly when they both got together but now they're really settled its no different to having one

 

[jodie3]

Double the mess and the mud and obviously double the food bills!!

Dalmatians are very much the Peter Pan of the dog world and never really grow up.

My oldest Dal is 9 and still behaves like a puppy. He plays constantly with my 2 year old spotty or for a bit of variety they both rag the bull terrier silly!

As am sure you know, Dalmatians need alot of exercise to keep them happy and stop them being destructive. In my experience males are worse than the bitches (sorry) and they are welll known for having seperation anxiety. Even living with the other two my boy would much rather be with me and has chewed through doors, broken out of crates and jumped out of windows and over fences to find me.

As he is so young he would probably pester and try to play with anything you got.

Perhaps post this in the dog section?

Despite all that I wouldn't be without any of my three and would quite happy to have a fourth dog if the right one came along.

 

[Devonshire dumpling]

As an old farmer once said to me, you have 1 dog and you have a whole dog, have 2 dogs and you have half a dog!
I have 2 terriers, wish I had 1 really, they are 17 and 14 now and calmer, but they tend to hang out together of you know what i mean x

 

[PingPongPony]

Yes I have considered an older dog, I would just worry it would come with issues??

Not necessarily, some people's cirumstances change hence they have to sell their dogs?
i dont know which breeds you like, but here's one that sounds nice:
http://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/show/106660498/rotweiler-for-sale-0.html
or this one (i love him, i'd have him if i could have another dog!)
http://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/show/106631962/2-yr-old-black-white-staffy-lucky.html

 

[hobgoblin]

Go for it, I have 5 dogs never cause me any bother. They are all house dogs and I wouldn't be with out any of them

 

[NeverSayNever]

As an old farmer once said to me, you have 1 dog and you have a whole dog, have 2 dogs and you have half a dog!
I have 2 terriers, wish I had 1 really, they are 17 and 14 now and calmer, but they tend to hang out together of you know what i mean x

awh thats such a shame. I have 6 and very much feel each and every one is very much a whole I do work them all individually though so maybe that helps. Left to their own devices they would have all bonded with each other more so than me. Im always careful with a new pup and do everything separately with them to cement the bond with me. My youngest is obsessed with other dogs and not keen on people, she isnt a ‘people dog’ at all and I have had to work so hard with her, doing motivational things to get the bond.

I could never have just 1 now I wouldnt have said labs are a calming influence though lololol

 

[Slightly Foxed]

I seem to recall that Australia's chief vet was all for making it illegal to have just one dog. Go for it, more work but the dogs are happier. (owner of four)

 

[Mongoose11]

I have five of these little beauts to choose from if you decide to get another....

 

[smellsofhorse]

Yes its more work.
More poo, more food, more routine bills, food, worming, vaccinations etc.

But you can walk them at the same time!
They do keep each other company.
They can play and act like dogs!

How about getting a rescue dog?
Go for an adult as a calming influence on your current youngster!

 

[Smith123]

Thank you everyone, really struggling to find a young adult lab in our area... Think I might have to get another pup, am I mad?!

 

[Mongoose11]

Smith123 I am this very moment covered in six, sleeping, four week old puppies. It doesn't get better than this

 

[Jools1234]

if you have a6 month old with seperation anxiety and you get a young pup you are likely to end up with 2 dogs with seperation anxiety, but if you got an older dog that is more settled and is ok being left your 6 month old may feel confident with the leadership and also become ok being left.

personally I would not leave a young puppy loose alone with an older puppy as boiserious play can leave a hurt puppy and a vets bill.

as others have said it is a lot more work at the beginning (yr to 18months IME) but if they get on and have excersize, leadership and boundaries then they do become great company for each other.

I have 3 dogs 14yrs, 12yrs and 5yrs, they youngest is still far more work than the others have ever been

 

[Nicnac]

I personally don't find the 2nd dog any trouble at all

Seriously, in addition to my big lump, I also have a Border Collie who is now 14 1/2.

I always have 2 dogs. I agree with those saying getting an older dog is sensible. My older ones tend to teach the pups how to behave and what the house rules are, plus they are amazing companions for each other. Each time one of mine has died, I've said I'll just have the one; somehow that never quite happens

 

[juliette]

We have a Labrador and a Springer (14 months age gap) in my experience 2 dogs is hard work. As someone else said whilst you are putting the lead on one the other's bouncing around like an idiot wanting theirs on too. When you get back from a walk which do you dry first - whichever you choose the other is making a god awful mess.

Having said that ours are best mates and if they go out separately have to have a little catch up as soon as they are back together - very sweet! They are definitely good company for each other.

 

[fools_ gold]

Personally I don't find two dogs more work than one, luckily they love each other and are really well behaved little guys. So in that respect I'd recommend it.
But a word of warning, my sisters neighbour bought a second dog to keep her first dog company as it didn't cope well with them being out. The dogs ended up not getting on, and the stressy dog just upsets the other dog. Which was older and previously ok with being left. They've got them selves in a bit of a mess with it really.

 

[Luci07]

If you go to a rescue, you have the luxury of choosing a dog that really gets on well with your daly and you are helping a dog which desperately needs a home as well. Don't assume a lab will be automatically calmer as a young one will not. I would look at getting an older bitch from rescue. I don't agree that 2 dogs means 1/2 but then I have 3 rescues ( all staffords).

We have a lovely 8 month daly bitch on the yard. She plays endlessly with all the dogs but it's my older staffie bitch who teaches her doggy manners. She is also highly energetic but being on the yard means out all day, hacks out ( will come out with me and youngest staff) and is still bouncy at the end of the day!

 

[Darcydoo]

I'd just go for it we have a pug (Brian) and recently got a boxer x French mastiff (Norris) they are the best of friends.you have to clean up ,walk ,feed one dog having two is just extra cost we also have 3 cats (bod spud and eddy) my brood is that big I get 10% discount at the vets !

 

[Echo24]

How long do you leave your Dalmatian? At this age I would say leaving hours were minimum and build it up gradually. He's still a pup so I'd imagine he's got lots of energy! Can a neighbour have him when you leave him? Or perhaps meet up with neighbours that have dogs and go for walks together so pup still gets socialisation and has lots of fun.

I have boarded dogs and did find having two dogs a lot more work. Plus introducing another dog to the household can upset the balance so I'd think carefully about getting another dog.

Ditto what other replies have said, if you want a second dog I'd go for an older dog that's mature, calm and well socialised as puppies can be very annoying to older dogs!

 

[brighteyes]

Please, please consider a rescue dog.

 

[Goldenstar]

I find two dogs easier than one they are happier and you don't feel so guilty when you leave them, however much your dog loves you it will enjoy the company of its own kind more.
I have three and boy do they make a mess but their worth it.

 

[111ex111]

why not get a rescue??????

and a lab will be anything but calm

 

[Goldenstar]

why not get a rescue??????

and a lab will be anything but calm

My labs are very very calm.