We are thinking about a second dog.
What are the biggest things you noticed going from one dog to two?
Thanks!
More food, more poop, and more love. I’ve always had a pair of dogs.
If your dog is a dog’s, dog. I say go for it.
Twice the vet cost, half the need to entertain/play. 
Twice the fun.
Really, two is easier than one, in my opinion. They keep each other company when you are not there, which reduces your obligation to always be exactly on time and on schedule, ready to engage and exercise.
Yes, of course, the vet costs are higher, but overall I found two to be as easy (or easier, at times) than one. Three was about equal…four is definitely extra work, extra expense and not really any additional “benefit” to the other dogs. But you’re not there yet.
2 are not always easier than 1 most definitely. My 11 yr old (very healthy 11 yr old, doing agility) would not entertain or play with another dog. He’s just never been a dog dog, he prefers people. He puts up with them well, but he’s not going to interact with them.
My 2 puppies (11 months and 4 months) do play and entertain each other but that isn’t always a good thing! When the 11 month old weighs 3 pounds and the 4 month old weighs 30. It takes a lot of management!
It also depends on what you do with your dogs. If they are just house pets, that just need basic house manners, it’s not too bad with multiple dogs. If you want to do any sort of advanced obedience, competing, agility, etc. That’s a lot of classes and training sessions. Time split between each dog to do the needed training.
i prefer 3 to 2- but i currently have four and have had as many as 6 with fosters.
with three or four when i lose one (i adopt oldies), the others are not alone and seem to handle the loss better. they also show new dogs the ropes pretty fast.
i have never had just one dog- i wonder occasionally what that must be like, but on the whole they are worth the extra cost and mess-and they do keep each other company when i have to work or travel
Two is not always easier!
I had one dog, thought I would get her a buddy to keep her company (she had some separation anxiety issues) when I was at work. Found a sweet rescue dog who was submissive enough that I trusted he wouldn’t walk all over her because she was also very submissive. Here were my discoveries:
- Mine got along wonderfully but didn’t play or entertain each other because both were way more people than dog oriented
- The second dog does not get as much time as the first dog so tends to get less training…
- As the first dog aged I ran into the issue of the new rescue needing far more exercise but it being a struggle because the old one was the one with separation anxiety so couldn’t be left behind
- The addition of a second dog did not reduce the first one’s separation anxiety but her anxiety affected the other dog resulting in undesirable behaviours (chewing) in the other dog. His chewing stopped as soon as he became an only dog
- With one dog it is easy to take them to any dog friendly venue, with two it is more of a struggle because of the extra room needed
For as long as I have my current dog I will be sticking to just 1 dog because we are both happier. He is good with all other dogs and happily will play with other dogs when out but when it comes right down to it he wants all the human attention for himself. He also gets to enjoy more outings to barns, Spruce Meadows, my part time job etc than he would if I had to bring a second dog along.
Mine get along well, but if my male gets to come on a walk by himself he is ecstatic. He would be perfectly happy (maybe even happier) as an only dog.
My female otoh does not want to stay or go anywhere without the male. She is two years younger than him, but I think it would be a lot easier on her if she passed before him - hopefully still a long ways down the road (she is six, he is eight)!
My two definitely egg on each other. I would make sure that the first dog is decently trained and doesn’t have any major issues before adding a second one. It rarely works out to e.g. get a second dog to help the first one with anxiety - chances are you’ll end up with two anxious dogs.
When I take mine on walks separately, they are obedient, e.g. can easily be recalled off squirrels or other dogs. When they are together, I have to be very careful that they don’t go off and hunt. It’s just a different dynamic. Same with e.g. barking at other dogs at the fence (either one alone doesn’t bark at all).
I find it far easier with two but it depends on your dog’s.
I adopted my doberman when he was 3 and he is needed even then the breed is normally which is very needy. I already had a puppy on the way so it was dumb, but I was heartbroken and impulsive (my bulldog had been killed 5 days before Christmas).
So I had this unknown 3 year old doberman and brought him a puppy a month later.not really dealing with two puppies but social the doberman was a puppy due to a crappy life. So my two basically grew up together. They are inseparable (but can go and do things alone), love to snuggle, run together and play.
My bulldog doesn’t like being alone and I imagine the dobe will go first. We have to make a decision to pre place a puppy or arrange day care for the bulldog when it.comes. but I will always have two if just for the company
it’s not so much easier, but it was not very much harder, either. I love that my dogs have each other and someone their own to play with. it eases the guilt of only having one. ( i don’t know how i ended up with 5, but 2 is much better than one IMO)
Two is great, but three is better, as long as you have the correct combination. My three girls get along brilliantly and love to play together. But I can take one with me and not feel guilty about a single dog being left home alone.
Maybe it’s selfish- but I just lost my 27yo horse and our dog is getting old. I just don’t want to have an empty home and no pets. So it seems like adding a young dog is a good idea now.
My second dog is such a little mini me from my big dog that it’s really about the same as having one. They are both quiet, low key dogs, happy to just chill. They do play, but not a ton. The only difference is vet bills and food (but that’s limited as the second dog is tiny!). She doesn’t even shed like the big dog, so it isn’t even more hair (she does go to the groomer’s, though).
[QUOTE=4Martini;8792031]
Maybe it’s selfish- but I just lost my 27yo horse and our dog is getting old. I just don’t want to have an empty home and no pets. So it seems like adding a young dog is a good idea now.[/QUOTE]
I don’t think that means you are selfish. You might find that your older dog LOVES having a playmate. And if not, so long as you don’t allow the new dog to bully/fight or torment the older one, its quality of life should not change.
My oldest dog is 15 1/2 and I do have to keep an eye on him so that my puppy (now 12 months) doesn’t knock him down when playing, or try to hump him. 
Beyond that, however, my old dog’s quality of life is pretty much the same.
My middle dogs are on their own to manage the naughty puppy. They play together and my female keeps everyone in line.
Got our first two as a pair. They got along great, similar size and personality, and were super easy. Lost one to epilepsy and while the remaining one was not super depressed, she was very lost as she’d never been an only dog.
So, we adopted another one, and while they got along great initially, there was an adjustment period. He came with issues that were not disclosed, and so some of his behaviours caused the first dog to become anxious over things. Now that we are getting his issues sorted, she has relaxed and they get along well.
I also like that when DH and I go for walks, training etc we each get a dog, so we are not ‘sharing’.
The downside is the cost, logistics with two, and of dirt and hair that multiplies exponentially.
I am allergic to dogs and do much better with one alone and keep it extremely clean.
My little dog loves all humans and dogs, but any time a guest dog is around, she gets tired after a bit and goes off to take a nap alone, waiting for them to leave.
It depends on the dog and situation, but if you really want to get another dog, do so and then manage whatever happens so all are happy, you and both dogs.
I will never go back to just having one dog. I don’t think I’ll go over three (what I have now) and would be ok with just two.
Cost is a factor. The vet costs do go up, but if you only have annual check ups and shots then it isn’t that big of an expense. Emergencies, absolutely. If you go out of town that costs more. You will have to buy more food.
My dogs are love being around other dogs so having all of them works for me. If your dog doesn’t like other dogs or is super particular be careful about getting another one. Some dogs are just better on their own. However, if they like other dogs it is great for them to have another playmate. With your situation of having an older dog make sure they don’t get annoyed with the puppy (snapping, sulking, etc). Not every dog is tolerant of young puppies being around. If your dog is cool with puppies then it could be a lot of fun!
Depending on the dog you could also have more hair, drool, etc so that means more cleaning. Not a major issue with smaller dogs, but I love big dogs so I do notice that I spend a good amount of time vacuuming and dusting.
I’d say GO and add another dog; the time sounds right for you. And your current, older dog, might actually really enjoy having a younger dog to pal around with. I’ve always found that two or three dogs are really easy to manage (despite the obvious cost increases) if the dogs get along and enjoy one another.
My dogs really enjoy one another (although the two are mother/daughter, so that helps). And the only time that I’ve actually seen my Doberman step up and act viciously protective towards anyone or anything was when he thought one of his “girls” was being threatened by another dog. All dogs were okay and the situation was quickly diffused, but that showed me how strong the relationship is between my guys.
From the dog’s point of view I think they like a companion, preferring their own kind.
From my point of view I like giving my time and attention (and money) to one do. As they age, they become more expensive.
We have always had two or more dogs and the way we are set up it does not make much difference, but think I will stay with one for now.
Our daughter brought over her new French Bulldog puppy this weekend and those two played and played and now the baby has gone home our dog is still looking for her. I feel a bit sad for her. Gee, that baby is a feisty, fearless little thing, swinging off our dogs face and neck and our dog just puts up with it.
From my point of view I like giving my time and attention (and money) to one do. As they age, they become more expensive.
I feel the same way. I don’t regret the addition of a second dog, though. It dawned on me that to have a dog even half as cool as my big dog, she’d have to be around to help train the new dog up. She’s 12 now, and while going like gangbusters, 12 is old and I know that I won’t have her forever. So, she’s teaching little dog how to be awesome. And little dog, when she’s fully awesome, will teach another dog.
This is how I justify having a second, despite preferring one on one. However, it’s nice that they are similar in personality, aren’t hugely needy dogs, and are nice sizes (a big and a little). It’s easy to give them both equal attention because neither is obnoxious, they both fit next to me on the couch like puzzle pieces, and they get along great.
^^^ yup.
