Pros and cons of a second dog

Spudlet

Spudlet

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Just mulling the idea over right now, not actively looking or anything!

So far I have:
Pros:
Company for Henry
Extra foot warming potential for me:D

Cons:
More expensive
More mess :rolleyes:

Questions:
How would I manage training two rather than one?
How could I rearrange the kitchen to fit two crates in (sure I'd manage somehow!)?
Henry gets a bit antsy sharing the car / in the beaters wagon etc, would he get over this in time?
What breed would work?:D I'd love a lab but I think being practical that such a large dog would not work - can I cope with a second crazed spangle maniac in my life?:eek:
 
Will watch replies with interest if you don't mind Spudlet as I am mulling over the exact same question. Think Bramble spaniel would love someone to share our walks and keep her company when we are out but not so sure she would like to share Mummy's attention. Also not sure that OH would be too impressed with the idea of another dog. :confused:
 
We got a second dog last year and the pros definitely outweigh the cons! :)

We already had a Retriever and new chap is a Border Terrier. Obviously you do increase the expense, but the terrier eats so little compared to our big lad that food wise we haven't noticed a huge difference. I'm a naughty person who only has vaccs done every 2-3 years so adding another dog isn't quite as bad as if they were having them yearly. More mess - depends on the dog I suppose but, again, our big lad is very hairy and a bit of a mud monster so anything the little chap produces is minimal in comparison!

As to pros - they LOVE playing together (although this can be a little disruptive when they start up under the table when you're trying to work...). If the weather is horrible or I'm pushed for time and they don't get much of a walk in the morning I know they'll wear themselves out playing instead! Training wise it probably depends on the ages. Our older chap (he's 7) is mostly well behaved but can be a little wayward at times. New lad is incredibly well behaved and thankfully doesn't seem inclined to copy other dog when he's being awkward! When out on the yard I find our retriever is actually less likely to go wandering (his major failing) as he's kept busy playing + keeping an eye on the pup. Terrier is getting quite good at going to 'find' his mate too! :) It also means I have an extra 'hot water bottle' in bed when the weather is cold. :p

I've now almost persuaded myself that three would be even better... :D
 
Springer? :D I think a 2nd dog is a fab idea.

We feed raw so save money even thigh we have 3 now. Were you thinking puppy or older? At 7, Brig was totally overwhelmed with 2 crazy puppies but now joins in the madness. He gets on well with them and Bear worships him.

My issue would be the original dog: is he meant to be a lone dog? Jake would have been happier as a lone dog, as would Zak but you just don't know til you've had them a while.
 
Other than cost and less room on the sofa, I can't think of any cons :D

Mine are best friends and amuse me greatly with their antics together. I find they both want to please me so much, they are easy to train together.

Henry would love a little housemate i'm sure! Do it!!!!!! :D
 
Henry loves other dogs, he loves it when he has other dogs in the office to play with - I think he feels a bit insecure having them in the car due to the movement of the vehicle knocking him off balance and the enclosed space, so he gets grumpy. I think he'd enjoy having a partner in crime.

I think an older dog, much as I would love a puppy, realistically I don't have the time to commit to housetraining and I think my landlords would prefer a dog past the chewing stage!

I haven't spoken to my landlords yet anyway, so this is all pie in the sky right now, thanks for the replies, I will definitely keep thinking about it:) I think another dog, maybe around 18 months to 2 years would be ideal - probably a rescue lab or spangle:D

Not that I've given this a lot of thought, you understand;)
 
Go for it :D

In a weird way I found it actually can help with training. i know if I take two dogs to agility training they are more focussed than if I only take one - mainly down to jealousy I think :rolleyes: but also Oscar hasn't wandered since I got Dash (to the extent that the people he normally goes to visit rang up to ask if he was ok :o )

On the other hand if both of them get on the sofa I don't stand a chance and usually end up either smothered or with a single square inch to sit on lol so my vote would be for a spangle simply because its smaller than a lab :D
 
Pros: they will love playing together and use up each other's energy a lot more quickly. You'll also feel less guilty when leaving them alone and two cuddled up to each other always look super cute. If the older dog is reasonably obedient, this will help teach the younger dog how to behave. And finally you can never have too many dogs!

Cons: you will need more time for training as ideally you will need to work each dog separately. If you are really bonded with your dog you may find that he becomes more doggie with another dog around - he'll still love you loads but the relationship may change all around. Some dogs just don't get on with other dogs and don't like the company, so in some rare cases things don't go that well. If the older dog has some bad habits, especially if it's poor recall, they can teach the younger dog those as well!!
 
I think it's a good idea if you go for say a 12 month old house trained, non chewing, desperate for guidance on how to hunt/or have somehting to hunt cavalier girl a little taller than the average, very slender, loves to run and run and run and scent and hunt and has fab recall;) who is sweet as pie and adored by all who meet her:rolleyes:

She is good at trying to catch swifts and it looks vey amusing:rolleyes:

Othewsie Nah, stick with the 1:rolleyes:
 
2 for sure

We have have two rescues

9yr border collie/spainel Toby
16 month jack russel/staff Dotti

They love each Toby keeps Dotti in her place and Dotti keeps Toby fit, I can think of no cons
 
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