Why Getting A Second Dog Is A Good Idea
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Today I’m jumping into the time machine turning the clocks back to 2004 when I first picked up my rescue dog, Linus and also the first time I thought about getting a second dog.
When I was a kid my mother read me Where the Red Fern Grows
(affiliate link) and ever since then I always wanted two dogs: a brother (Old Dan) and a his little sister (Little Ann).
However, after doing a ton of research and reading several books on raising and training puppies I decided that picking up two puppies at the same time was probably not the best idea.
I guess I wouldn’t be living my childhood dream to be like little Billy Colman and his two Coonhounds.
So how did I end up with two dogs? Keep reading to find out!
Why Not Two Puppies?
Before finding Linus at our local shelter I researched the many different dog breeds and studied everything from potty training to basic obedience to crate training.
I was prepared to adopt my first puppy and during this time I learned that two puppies was not necessarily twice the fun.
I can tell you now from experience that raising one puppy takes up almost all of your time and tests your patience to the limit. Now lets consider two puppies.
Two pups require extra attention as they should be coddled and trained separately within your home otherwise you risk the two pups bonding to each other more than they bond with you.
Now imagine trying to housetrain two puppies at the same time…can you say, “twice as many accidents in the house!”
While Snoopy from Snoopy’s Dog Blog would be thrilled to hear all of the mischief surrounding two puppies I don’t think I could put up with more than one mischievous puppy at a time.
The Temptation Of Two Puppies
As fate would have it when I went to our local animal shelter and found Linus low and behold he was lying right next to his sister. She was a beautiful tri-color Australian Shepherd mix.
She looked much more like an Aussie than Linus who was all black. I was very tempted to bring them both home with me, but decided to stick with the experts advice and wait at least a year before getting a second dog.
Should I Get A Second Dog?
First take a gander at this wonderful video from Pets Add Life (PAL) showing why “Pets need a pal to talk to”.
When Linus was about 2 years old I decided just like the video that he needed a pal to talk to and play with.
I started by fostering puppies and dogs for one of our local dog rescues called Cuddly Canines.
I was probably within inches of adopting one of our German Shepherd foster pups, but all 7 found homes fairly quickly and I was happy to see the smiles on each family that brought home a pup.
In the end I started volunteering as a puppy raiser for Guide Dogs of America.
After my first puppy in training, Stetson was career changed I ended up adopting him as my forever pet.
It was a long journey to a household with two dogs. Our city only allows each household to have three total dogs and so I have not yet adopted another dog as I still volunteer as a guide dog puppy raiser and also as a foster.
So even though I have only two dogs of my own I often have three dogs living at my house.
What About Doggy Number Three?
There’s always that possibility that I might end up with doggy number three perhaps keeping one of my fosters or another career changed guide dog. After all there are so many benefits to owning a pet or two or three 🙂
If you’re looking to add that second or third dog I highly recommend adopting from your local shelter or rescue.
Across the country there are millions of homeless pets who need your help. From puppies to kittens to senior cats and dogs (and everywhere in between). Furry, scaly, big, or small all homeless pets deserve a second chance.
Pets Add Life (PAL) put together a Facebook Pledge Page to help these homeless pets by asking people to take action now! Take a look, make a pledge, and please share with your friends and family. Here’s a link to the PAL Facebook Pledge Page.
Does your dog or pet need a friend? Are you thinking about getting a second dog? How many pets do you have in your house? Tell us all about your pets in the comment section below.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by the Pets Add Life campaign and the American Pet Products Association. We are being compensated for helping spread the word about the benefits and joys of pet ownership.
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Having a second dog is a good idea as once you started having pets you would enjoy adding more and more as you would them. Having a dog is one way to release stress like many people say.
Dorothy Miles
Pet animals
Hi Dorothy,
Great point! My dogs are great stress relievers after a hard days work!
Thanks for stopping by!
Colby
I have 2 dogs…3 years apart, but I could easily have many more. I have to restrain myself! I know my older dog helped train my younger dog when he came home. The second was much easier.
I agree. I could easily have more too. It does take some restraint plus their are limits in our county. I like where we’re at right now with two dogs that are my own plus always fostering or raising guide dog pups.
I think our dog needs a buddy to play with as she constantly wants our attention. However, I think she would be so jealous if we brought another puppy home.
How does she react when you have other dogs over (that are her size)? Does she get jealous, nervous, playful, dominant?
I was rescued by my boy. My sister was rescued with me. We soon became to much for mom to handel so big sister took my sister in.
Getting two pups can be a lot to handle. I’m glad big sister was able to take in your sister.
Where The Red Fern Grows was one of my favorite movies as a kid. I too, always wanted two dogs. But thankfully I never got two puppies together. Years ago, our Belgian Shepherd was 6 when we got our first Basset Hound puppy and Freddie was 1 when we adopted Gloria last year. She was 5. It has worked out great giving Fred someone to play with. They have bonded beautifully. 🙂
That sounds like it was at the perfect plan for having a multi-dog household!
I remember reading “Where the Red Fern Grows” What a great book!
3 dogs and a guinea pig are my limit, well maybe a friend for the guinea pig is in the future:)
I remember when my husband said he wanted another Newf. I already had one Newf and a Beagle and 2 small kids. I didn’t want another dogs, my hands were full and I knew it. But I’m a pushover and we got Leroy:) who has proven to be a bigger handful than the other 2 dogs combined, but……I couldn’t imagine my life without him now!
I couldn’t imagine your blog without Leroy! It sounds like your house is full. I’m not sure how you were able to do it with 2 small kids, 2 dogs and then adding another. I can’t wait to hear about your next addition…a friend for the guinea pig 🙂
Well, with four we’re at our limit, and I’m happy with that. It means that we can take two out with us and nobody is left at home alone. I still have days when I wonder if we’ll survive Kuster’s puppyhood! lol
Every time I bring home a puppy I wonder if I’m going to survive puppyhood. My first goal is getting them to sleep through the night which is sometimes very challenging.
oh oh,
i could not share my main peep. it is hard enough when she holds lil humans in her arms. another dog would have to be the other peeps in the house!
my pal Rocky was raised with another pup and just like you said, they bonded well to each other…
Hi Scrappy,
You already have lil humans to compete with for attention in your house? I think Linus doesn’t like the new pups at first, but he likes to tell them who’s boss and I also think he likes showing all the youngsters who’s the king of the house.
Thanks for stopping by!
Colby
My parents’ dog definitely needs a friend, although she’s been spoiled as an “only child” and I’m not sure how well she would respond to something else in the house getting more attention than her. I do think it would help her to have someone to play with whenever she wanted…rather than trying to play with my parents. I think they should get another dog!
Maybe your parents should try fostering a dog to see if Yuki likes sharing the house and attention with a little friend.
Mom so loves pets – we are 2 dogs and 2 cats. She would love more but she wants to make sure she can give us the best life possible and vet bills can add up so she is holding steady with 2 and 2. We dog sit a lot for others which gives her the 3rd dog for free. We love it but we are also happy when we are back to just our family. Emma 🙂
Hi Emma,
I agree with the getting back to just your own family. After raising Dublin then Apache for the last 2+ years and then another month of puppy sitting it’s finally back to just me and my two boys: Stetson and Linus. We’re going to take a little break for now.
Thanks for stopping by,
Colby