Getting a second dog

I have been thinking about getting a second dog for awhile. I found a dog at the shelter where I volunteer that I though would get along great with my dog. We brought her home for an overnight and both dogs did well. I brought her back to the shelter this morning. Now I have to decide if I am ready to have a two dog home. Ladies with two or more dogs what are your greatest challenges?

Re: Getting a second dog

We are facing the same dilemma. We really want a second dog. We usually dog sit for when family members go on vacation. i feel better knowing coco has someone with her when we are at work.

We really enjoy having the 2 dogs. It's just finding the 2nd one.

I can only think the cons would be: double the vet bills and food. Or if you go away, having someone watch 2 dogs instead of 1.


I would like to think the pros will way out the cons. Good luck!

Re: Getting a second dog

Twice the loving!<----that's the best thing :)

costs are probably the biggest con

Everything is double--wiping the wet paws, washing the second dog bowl, 2 baths, picking up more poop!!LOL! etc. but these are all little things, IMHO---takes extra time but, I wouldn't change it!

I love that they have each other
they are always sitting together outside in my big yard-they could sit yards away but, they chose to be together

they have a playmate and company when I am not home

I would look into getting a low maintenance dog for your 2nd--one that doesn;t need grooming or too much 'work'--one that needs the same type of exercise as your 1st--

Re: Getting a second dog

Posted by strongisland

Twice the loving!<----that's the best thing :)

costs are probably the biggest con

Everything is double--wiping the wet paws, washing the second dog bowl, 2 baths, picking up more poop!!LOL! etc. but these are all little things, IMHO---takes extra time but, I wouldn't change it!

I love that they have each other
they are always sitting together outside in my big yard-they could sit yards away but, they chose to be together

they have a playmate and company when I am not home

I would look into getting a low maintenance dog for your 2nd--one that doesn;t need grooming or too much 'work'--one that needs the same type of exercise as your 1st--

Re: Getting a second dog

I have 2. I got my 2nd when my male was just about a year old. For us, it was the best decision. I dont feel as guilty when I leave the house and also they absolutely keep each other company. Also they chase eachother which is great for exercise, since they are a high energy breed that needs alot of activity. Only con, yes, more work of course. 2 vet bills, 2 groomer bills, and it takes more effort to take 2 dogs for check ups, etc. Also if you walk your dog it is much harder to walk 2 dogs at once than one alone. Thats why I wont get a third, when I would love to. It would make all these things practically impossible to do at the same time. NO regrets though. We were sure and it was a great decision.


biggest negative-
We won't use a boarding facility so we have to find a family member to watch them. Much tougher with 2 dogs than with one dog. That's why I can't get a third. I could never get anyone who could handle 3. Two is hard enough!

Message edited 3/18/2013 8:03:34 AM.

Re: Getting a second dog

<-- 2 pup household here. They are both small so it's easy taking them both for a walk, although DH & I try to go for walks together just because we enjoy the "family" time. Love that they have each other for company when we go out. The only negative thing I have to say is that it's twice the vet bills, twice the heart worm & flea and tick medicine cost and twice the food bills, but I wouldn't trade that for anything. We had our boy for about 4 years when we got our second. Our second dog is a rescue. Good luck with whatever you decide!!

Getting a second dog

Both dogs are active and fairly low maintenance in terms of grooming. I know my dog needs a companion. My trainer works at the shelter and knows the dog and thinks it is a good match for my boy. I am not worried about the money- I just want to make sure I have the time to train each dog and give them the attention they deserve. It is all I can think about since yesterday. I have a big presentation tomorrow and once it is done I will make my final decision.

I do not leave my dog at a boarding facility but my dog walker will either stay at my place or come in several times a day to care for my dog(s).

Message edited 3/18/2013 7:10:12 PM.

Getting a second dog

Get him :O)

They will exercise each other while they play and to a certain extent the resident dog will help show the new dog the ropes. I've always found that if the first dog is trained well, the second trains faster.

Re: Getting a second dog

Getting my second dog was one of the best decisions we've made! She keeps my other dog moving and active. They LOVE each other...and we love having them both!

Getting a second dog

Thanks for the encouragement ladies! I am 99% sure we are going to adopt Gabby tomorrow. She is so cute!

Re: Getting a second dog

Re: Getting a second dog

Re: Getting a second dog

First time I had two...(10 years ago) I was nervous... but it ended up being the best thing I had ever done.

Currently, I'm a 2 dog (and 2 cat) house... and DH knows I'll never have only 1 dog again... I love how my kids love each other...they lay down and have to be touching each other... they hate being separated... they are each others play mate, companion and best friend.

Biggest con... cost.. mostly vet cost.. (and twice the poop, but DH deals with that mostly! )
and babysitting...I won't board them, so making sure a family member or my friend can watch them when we go somewhere they can't come.

No con in the world would make me think twice about it...

(and seriously... we're thinking a third! lol)

Getting a second dog

I decided to go for it and by the time I got to the shelter the dog had been adopted. I was a tiny bit sad about it but she went to a great home so that is a good thing. I now know the type of personality that is compatible with my dog. I volunteer at the shelter and I let the manager and trainer (who works privately with me and my dog) know that we are looking for a second dog.

Re: Getting a second dog

Awww it's bittersweet... one more dog in a forever home and one more open space in the shelter, but it stinks that you missed out. It just means another dog is going to come along for you to rescue!

Re: Getting a second dog

Getting a second dog

I am looking for a young female. I am more concerned with personality than breed. I would like a dog that could run agility although it does not have to specifically be a breed associated with agility. I feel like when it is right the dog will find me : )

Getting a second dog

S.N.A.R.R has an adorable female pocket pittie available (35 lbs) and (4) 11 week old hound mix puppies most of which are female I believe.

Getting a second dog

Here's the links for S.N.A.R.R. and some photos of some of their dogs:
Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/SNARR-Animal-Rescue-Northeast/191323577616180?ref=ts&fref=ts


Annie:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=424643727617496&set=a.201357569946114.49760.191323577616180&type=1&theater

EMILY:
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/246476_10200333241606263_887747694_n.jpg

FAITH:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=433080010107201&set=a.201357569946114.49760.191323577616180&type=1&theater

Image Attachment(s):

Message edited 3/23/2013 10:35:18 AM.

Getting a second dog

Charlotte was a death row dog like Annie. She is 10 months old, already doing some agility and was on the euthansia list for mange and here is her video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nlc65QXQpzg

Also attached is photos of Annie the pocket pittie...

Image Attachment(s):

Message edited 3/23/2013 10:41:03 AM.

Getting a second dog

Do you know if SNARR does initial behavior evaluations on their rescues? My dog has some fear aggression and a few other issues that we have been actively working on. He is a rescue that will always need lots of structure and training. He is awesome with other dogs but I really need a very happy go lucky dog to pair with him in my home. I would also need to meet the dog and have my trainer see the interaction etc.

Message edited 3/24/2013 11:17:08 PM.

Getting a second dog

The adult dogs they pull are typically evaluated at the shelter and then there are usually volunteers giving their impressions in their bios as well. They get dogs from all over but I think that most of the dogs and puppies have people advocating for them already before the rescue groups step in. Once they take possession of the dog/puppy they go into homes with fosterers. If they HAVE to they will put dogs into boarding but it's not ideal.

The puppies so far as I know are not temperament tested by a behaviorist but the rescuers place hundreds of dogs per year so they know the dogs behavior to a certain extent. They are not over the top crazy extreme rescuer/animal activists either. Which is something I really like about them.

They are a very established rescue group with a solid support structure as well as decent funding. They treat their fosters parents very well. I have a foster dog from SNARR who was a little bit under a year old when I got her. She was labeled as a pit mix at animal control and scheduled to die on 12/18/12. We didn't set out to foster her initially but it just sort of happened that she needed a place immediately, like that same night and I said I would take her in for a few days while they figured something out and if she was a good fit then she could stay here.

They were always in contact with me and if I need to talk about something they immediately contact me. I absolutely love them, I have nothing but good things to say about them. I have actually only dealt with Courtney so that is who I would give you for a contact. I was having a little trouble with my foster dog (she was trying to bolt out my door/gates. and I was concerned their might be a fence fighting issue with my neighbors out of control dachshund) and they paid for a behavior evaluation with a private trainer as well as another follow up lesson. They also offered to pay for her to go to doggie day care and for me to take group lessons if I wanted. We are actually now in the process of adopting our foster dog. But my whole point is, they put forth great effort to make it work out with their foster homes and encourage their fosters to raise their dogs right.

I also know that they stand by their dogs and if it isn't working out they will take the dog back immediately if necessary but if possible they do as for a little time to make arrangements. They would definitely want your dog to meet the new dog and would encourage you to have the trainer there for the introductions.

As for your current dog, what are his issues besides the fear aggression? I think you will find his confidence is bolstered with another dog in the house. He might struggle with not having a leader. I don't mean a bully or a very dominant dog. I'm thinking more like you said, a happy go lucky dog that can show him that the world is not so scary. Fear aggression is a tough thing to manage so congrats to you for sticking it out with him!

Where are you doing Agility lessons? We are starting private lessons at the indoor place in Bayshore (Doggie U K9 academy).

Message edited 3/25/2013 3:09:21 PM.

Getting a second dog

Aside from some fear aggression (he does not like strange men close to me and this is sometimes generalized to strange dogs), he is fearful of skateboards, bikes and motorcycles. He also has decreased impulse control when he and I are running- It is almost like misplaced stressed. He is great in the house-no food stealing or resource guarding. I have two birds that he does not bother even when they bother him. He is also a bit demanding...if the neighbor's dog is out side he wants to go out he will bark and try to get my attention. He does not need a pack leader he needs confidence. He was trained harshly early on and he lived in an animal hording situation...over 50 pet is a small one bedroom. The other dogs that were brought to the shelter were older and bigger so they were less effected. Cody was a young dog maybe 6-8 months old. He was very shy for the first several months I had him and we worked very hard his first year at home to help him overcome many of his fears. Some of "bad" behaviors are the result of allowing things like jumping up etc. just so he would greet people. He also has associated me with giving him what he wants.
We take agility lessons at the Port Chester obedience training club. I live on City Island in the Bronx. We also work on behavior privately with Bobbie Bhambree of DogCentric training. Bobbie is awesome and she worked with Cody when he was at the shelter and did a behavior re-eval for him after I brought him home. She works with the New Rochelle humane society on training the dogs there as well as training volunterrs to help in dog training.

Getting a second dog

If you're not against a pit or pit mix, then check out Bully Breed Rescue. They have a 6 month old female, Ginger, who is looking for a home.

I had heidi, their president, come and do some work with us when we brought Allie home, she is awesome and really gets to know the dogs, their temperaments etc. She is in New Canaan, CT

Here is their FB page https://www.facebook.com/BullyBreedRescueInc

Getting a second dog

I love pitbull/mixes.