getting another dog as companion to current dog

[Anonymous]

Its a great idea if you can find a good personality match.

We have always had multiple dogs and cats. We stuck with all females, I dont know if that has anything to do with it, but thought I would mention. All are spayed, all animals are sweet in disposition. And all have become fast friends.

We have been very fortunate to have been at this 20 years problem free.

We lost our pomeranian recently, and are adopting a new one. I found her on petfinder and I chose her specifically because of how her personality is described and because I know this kind of pom. Eventhough our shepherd collie mix is around 11 and the new dog will be 2, their energies should be pretty well matched. I predict a good outcome, but then we work from home and spend a lot of time with our animals.

I agree with all the posters who say look for a good match.

I observed my shepherd mix going over to the place where the pom used to sit out in the garden, sniff it, sit with head hung, ears down, visibly depressed, and as I approached her to pet her, slowly slump against the wall and then down on her back for a belly rub. SO SAD! So this new friend will be good for her. And for all of us, really.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We did it--it took about two weeks for them to become friends--very worth it.

Could you elaborate? What made it worth it?

Did the dogs meet before you brought home dog #2?

My dog is very social, and he seems quite lonely. I'd like to get him a companion, but I don't really want to take care of two needy dogs. Will the second dog make my first dog less needy? I get tired of entertaining my dog, even though he's wonderful and I love that he's so friendly and social. But it's like having a toddler around all the time, and my kids are way past that stage, thank God.

[Anonymous]

Go for it! I did this and they are best friends...pack animals!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We got a second dog. The first dog was immediately cured of his separation anxiety, so it worked out well for us.

BUT we spent about a year looking for a second dog that would be a good fit for our first dog. We must have tried ten potential "friends" before we found one that really clicked with our existing dog.

Dogs are individuals and ours have preferred certain breeds and not all within those breeds. One of mine loved a dog she met twice and it was mutual-neither liked 99.9% of dogs they met. One of ours saw 5 at the vet and only one even got an excited tail wag-others did not exist. Each was an opposite sex of the same or similar breed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you ever done this? How did it turn out?

It sounds great in my mind. I have a great dog, but hes very social and craves constant interaction, which i cant provide, of course. But am I just setting myself up for having another attention-seeking mouth to feed?

If this is how you view any and all dogs, you should not be a pet owner at all.

No offense, but that statement made me sick.

Signed,

A True Unconditional Animal Lover

Calm the fuck down. I understand what OP is saying. There are some dogs that need constant attention and you can love the dog and still say that. Dog personalities vary. We are actually looking for an older dog with low to moderate energy who is loving, but has some independence because we cannot give attention every second of the day due to having kids, working, etc. There are dogs who want to cuddle in your lap all day and get separation anxiety even if you leave for a short time. I might like that when we have an empty nest, but not now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We got a rescue dog to keep first dog company. I'm so glad we did. Our first dog is much happier and the second dog is so much fun.
Maybe though your fog just needs more exercise/stimulation? Have you tried doggy daycare at all? That wears them out.

+1...we did exactly the same. Our first dog has a best friend, they tire each other out in the backyard, and we were able to give another dog a loving home.

[Anonymous]

Dog #1 died.
Dog #2 went nuts when left home alone and started shredding everything in sight.
Got a rescue with lots of energy and very bad habits. Dog # 2 doesn't love the rescue, but has stopped shredding things.

We are working to keep Dog #2 Top Dog, the rescue plows her way into EVERYTHING.
Overall, still better for Dog #2 than being alone. A stinking PIA for us.... seems the rescue was paper trained at some point, and pees on everything, including furniture.

[Anonymous]

Not for us ... our beagle is convinced he's human.