Adding a second dog to your household can be an exciting and rewarding experience. It is easy to become caught up in the idea that our dog needs a friend, that getting a second dog is a quick fix to solving separation-related behaviours, or that two dogs aren’t really that much more work than one dog.
However, it is a big decision that requires careful consideration and so before taking the plunge, it’s important to think carefully about whether welcoming another furry friend into your home is in the best interest of your family and your current dog.
What is your current dog’s level of training?
First of all, let’s get into chatting all about your current dog. Is their current level of training at a point you are happy with? Do they perhaps have any particular behavioural issues, such as aggression or separation anxiety? Do they actually enjoy the company of other canines, or are they more people orientated?
Before adding a second dog into the mix, it is important that your current dog is at a level of training you are happy with. For example, do they walk well on a lead? Are they house-trained? Do they display unwanted behaviours such as excessive barking?
The reality is that when you add in another dog to your household, your time will be stretched between the two. This can make training a challenge if you are already time-poor or struggle to fit in training sessions with your current dog to work on their obedience and behaviour.
Many people get another dog in the hopes that this will be a quick fix in the elimination of problem behaviours such as separation anxiety, destructive behaviour or boredom barking, but in fact, without addressing the behaviours head-on with the help of a professional trainer, what they are left with is not one, but now TWO unruly dogs. Now doesn’t that sound like a headache?
How old is your current dog and are they at an appropriate age to welcome another dog into the house?
If you have a senior pet, introducing a high-energy, boisterous puppy may not be the best fit. They may have mobility issues, additional health needs, or a low tolerance for over the top puppy behaviours. Accidents can, and do happen, and so all direct interactions should be closely monitored to ensure both dogs needs are being accounted for.
Ok, Ok so I perhaps shouldn’t get a puppy for my senior pet. Well, what about if I already have a puppy? Is that a better fit?
Lets face it, puppies are adorable! Therefore when given the opportunity to take two home rather than just the one, those puppy dog eyes sure do pull on our heart strings!
However, puppies are a lot of work! You can expect sleepless nights, countless hours spent on appropriate socialisation and training, expenses for food, vaccinations and more. Now imagine all of this, but multiplied by 2!
Two puppies of similar ages can become very co-dependent on one another, with some even developing ‘litter mate syndrome’ if appropriate measures to ensure degrees of separation is incorporated into their daily routine. Puppies who develop litter mate syndrome often struggle with behavioural issues as a result of the intense attachment they have with one another.
Is your current dog social and do they really enjoy the company of other dogs?
In our society, it is expected that all dogs must be friends and that they all should enjoy spending time wrestling, playing, and chasing around with their canine companions. However, in actual fact, this is simply not the case.
Some dogs may display aggressive behaviour towards other dogs. In contrast, others may just prefer the company of their humans and have no real interest in making any doggy friends and could even actively avoid seeking out interactions with other dogs. Dog sociability is a spectrum, and so it is important to consider where your current pooch falls within that spectrum.
If you do fall into the category of having a dog social dog, ensuring you take time to introduce the new family member in a slow and controlled way whilst also making sure both dogs are receiving quality one on one time with you is super important. Putting an emphasis on teaching neutral behaviours around one another and setting up appropriate rules and boundaries for both dogs will help to keep the peace and prevent your home from descending into chaos as a game of chasey breaks out through the living room!
Choosing a breed that is compatible with your current dog and lifestyle
When making the decision to add a dog into your life, it is vital to research your desired breed thoroughly to establish if they will be the right fit for your lifestyle. Things to consider include coat length and grooming requirements, energy levels, size, temperament, typical health concerns which can be found in the breed, and how much time training you are willing to invest,.
Ensuring that the breed you choose is also fit for the intended purpose is also something to consider. For example, are you hoping to compete in sports such as agility or flyball? Then a high-energy working breed such as a Border Collie may be for you. Perhaps you require the dog to be trained as an emotional support, therapy or assistance dog, in which case a Labrador or a Golden Retriever could be the best fit. If a family pet that has little to no shedding is what you’re looking for, a poodle mix such as a Cavoodle might be right up your street!
When adding a second dog into the home, it is equally important to consider the compatibility of your current dog as well as your lifestyle and how this may change with two dogs as opposed to one. The average size of your current dog should be a factor to take into account when assessing the suitability of your new addition. For example, if you currently have a Great Dane, introducing a Miniature Dachshund into the family may not be ideal due to the sheer size difference. With the average weight tipping the scales between 45-59kg for a male Great Dane and an adult Miniature Dachshund reaching, on average a tiny 5kgs, it is clear to see why these two breeds may not be the best match for one another.
As well as size, researching the energy levels and temperament of your desired breed should also be something to take into account. If you already own a high-energy working breed such as a Kelpie or working line German Shepherd, it is important to factor in whether you are able to meet the needs of another high-energy, working dog in terms of training, exercise and providing appropriate outlets required to keep them biologically fulfilled.
Double the dogs, double the fur!
Are you a neat freak? Do you like to maintain a spotless home at all times and find yourself vacuuming twice a day to get rid of that pesky fur? Speaking as the owner of two double-coated dogs, both a Labrador and a Golden Retriever, I can attest to the fact that no matter how hard I try, I will always leave a trail of golden fur in my wake. It is on my clothes, on my couch, in my car, and pretty much everywhere in between. Investing in a good quality pet vacuum can undoubtedly help, but the added fur is part of the deal when it comes to a two-dog household.
If you have a hypoallergenic dog, this shedding tends to be considerably less however, these dogs do require more grooming maintenance. Therefore two dogs = double the coat upkeep, and double the grooming costs!
This brings me to my next point….
Double the dogs, double the finances!
Did you know statistics show that Australians spend $1500 on their dog per year. This figure could increase significantly depending on numerous factors such as:
– Your dog’s size: The cost of feeding and maintaining a large breed, such as an Irish Wolfhound, will vary dramatically from that of a small or toy breed, such as a Miniature Poodle.
– Health care requirements: Just like humans, our dogs require regular checkups and medical care. For example, you can expect to budget for additional treatments throughout their lifetime, including vaccinations, flea/tick/worming preventatives, and of course, any accidents that may occur.
-Your dog’s age: Our dogs tend to require more assistance as they age, such as medical treatments, special dietary requirements, joint supplements and more. When choosing to add a second dog into the family, it is important to be sure you will be able to financially support them for their whole lifetime as well as continue to support your existing dog’s needs.
– Grooming Requirements: Many breeds require some form of grooming to maintain a healthy coat. This can range from a bath down at Petbarn every few months and regular nail trimming to a full day’s pampering session at the grooming salon. These expenses can add up quickly, especially for our curly-coated breeds, who require grooming every 5-8 weeks!
Then, of course, any extra expenses you choose to purchase e.g. training, boarding, insurance etc.
This means that yep, you guessed it, double the dogs = double the financial cost. Therefore it is vital to check that you budget accordingly before making the commitment to avoid heartbreak down the track.
The trouble with travelling with two dogs
If you plan on going on holiday without your dogs, finding someone who you trust to take care of your pets can be much trickier with an additional pet. If you are lucky enough to have a trusted friend or family member care for your dog, it is important to consider if minding your pet will still be an option with the addition of a new furry friend. Boarding kennels or house sitters can be a great option for families with multiple animals. However, this would be a factor to consider in your holiday budget.
Do you have the time to dedicate to another dog?
Although to many, owning multiple dogs sounds like the dream, the fact is that two dogs take up A LOT of time and energy. It is often a common misconception that your first dog will train your second dog. In some circumstances, this may have some merit. For example, if your current dog digs in the yard, barks at the doorbell and jumps on guests, it is likely that your new dog may start to mimic this behaviour. This is why it is so important to ensure your first dog is at a level of training that you are happy with.
Of course, this can go both ways; if your current dog is well-behaved within the home, perhaps it relaxes on its bed in the evening and as a result, gets rewarded. Your new addition may choose to do the same in the hopes of also gaining reinforcement.
HOWEVER, it is not our first dog’s job to train our second dog! This responsibility falls on us as owners to teach our second dog what it expected of them through clear communication, structure, and boundaries, just as we did with our first dog.
In the beginning stages of training, we will teach each dog separately to give them the opportunity to master the new skill, before we expect them to perform the task together. For example, if you have the dream of being able to walk both dogs on a loose leash down to the local cafe for a coffee, you must first teach them how to do this individually.
But it is not just training and building a bond with our new dog; we also need to be mindful that our first dog is able to spend plenty of quality time with you too.
In conclusion, owning two dogs can be an incredibly rewarding experience for those who are ready to take on that next level of commitment. While it certainly requires more effort and responsibility than owning one pet, the rewards are also doubled!
If you are still unsure whether adding in a second dog to your family is the right decision, head over to Pk9 Online and watch our video which goes into more depth about two-dog households.
