Regretting 2nd dog

[Anonymous]

I desperately wanted a 2nd dog, and we got one. He is sweet and beautiful but has made life really hard, and is constantly tryiing to pick a fight with our 1st dog. It's been about seven months since we got him, so he's pretty settled at this point. I just miss the ease of having only our 1st easy dog. I also feel like we don't get to connect with our 1st dog like we used to, because all the attention goes to managing 2nd dog. He was rehomed to us from his first owner, and we won't rehome him again. I just am finally admitting to myself, I regret it, and miss how life used to be pre-dog #2.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I desperately wanted a 2nd dog, and we got one. He is sweet and beautiful but has made life really hard, and is constantly tryiing to pick a fight with our 1st dog. It's been about seven months since we got him, so he's pretty settled at this point. I just miss the ease of having only our 1st easy dog. I also feel like we don't get to connect with our 1st dog like we used to, because all the attention goes to managing 2nd dog. He was rehomed to us from his first owner, and we won't rehome him again. I just am finally admitting to myself, I regret it, and miss how life used to be pre-dog #2.

Thank you for posting this. My kids keep asking me for a second dog and I imagined that I would feel the same way too. I do remember feeling regret when we got our first dog too though so I think that eventually you will get used to it and all will be ok.

[Anonymous]

Crate and rotate, OP. If you’re not going to rehome him, that’s the best way to manage the situation and give attention to the non-troublemaker

[Anonymous]

Get rid of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Crate and rotate, OP. If you’re not going to rehome him, that’s the best way to manage the situation and give attention to the non-troublemaker

I think this is a good starting point. I'm sorry this has happened OP. I think you have to be vigilant about stopping dog #2 going for dog #1. It will establish YOU as alpha and keep him in line but it's a lot of work and will take some time.

[Anonymous]

OP, BTDT.

I stressed and stressed about it. Both #1 and #2 were sweet dogs, but dog #2 was on an intensity level that overwhelmed dog #1. After much hemming and hawing I started gradually looking into rehoming #2 and quickly found a friend of a friend who was happy to take #2. Like pp, I couldn’t have considered rehoming #1 since he had already been rehomed to us and was much more attached to us.

I’m SO GLAD I did. Having 1 dog is the right size for my family. I am so much less stressed since I am easily able to meet #1’s needs. He is not lonely at all since I WFH and another dog friend spends every weekend with us.

[Anonymous]

You realize this is an owner problem, not a dog issue, right? You need to get trained on how to be effective dog owner and that will resolve your dog issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You realize this is an owner problem, not a dog issue, right? You need to get trained on how to be effective dog owner and that will resolve your dog issues.

Unpopular opinion but very true.

[Anonymous]

You do need to bring in a trainer.

Also it took about 6-7 months for us to get into a rhythm when we introduced a puppy. Our older dog absolutely rejected the puppy for MONTHS but now they are the best friends. It did take work with a professional and a lot of time to get there. Not saying there is a bright future ahead for you, but simply that 7 months isn’t unheard of as an adjustment period for two dogs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get rid of it.

Agree with this. There is no point in having a second dog if it's making your life unhappy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You realize this is an owner problem, not a dog issue, right? You need to get trained on how to be effective dog owner and that will resolve your dog issues.

Unpopular opinion but very true.

That’s not OP’s issue.
Nowhere has OP indicated they are an ineffective owner.
Sometimes a good dog and a good owner just aren’t a good fit.
It doesn’t necessarily get better with time.

OP, it sounds like you just aren’t that into the second dog.
That’s ok.
As long as dog is not of a breed notoriously difficult to rehome, you should have no trouble finding it a new home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You realize this is an owner problem, not a dog issue, right? You need to get trained on how to be effective dog owner and that will resolve your dog issues.

Completely unnecessary. I see no reason to go through an owner training. OP has a life, family, job and dog. She has enough to take care of. She doesn't need to overhaul her entire life for dog #2.

OP, you can look for solid rehoming options if the situation continues. The resentment may fester.

[Anonymous]

OP here, I appreciate all the feedback. I definitely needed to vent a little yesterday and appreciate the thoughts shared in response.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get rid of it.

Did you bother to read the op?

[Anonymous]

Also, I wouldn't give up on *another* second dog. This one might not work, but another one could and it is so great! They play together, hang out - after 6 months they are much better together. I sometimes miss just having one (cleaner, less poop and food, less worry, I used to have more freedom with just one smaller dog, it was easier to walk just one, oh my gosh, all of this is sounding bad) but I'm overall happy with two.