getting another dog as companion to current dog
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Anonymous
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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? |
Anonymous
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We got a second dog to keep the first one company. He seemed lonely at home, and used to eagerly play with other dogs we met on walks. So we thought he would love to have a fursister.
I now realize that he would have done better as an only dog. He didn't really like her and it took a long time for them to become friends. We don't regret getting the second dog though: she is adorable in every way. Our friends have added second dogs and they become instant best pals. So it could go either way. |
Anonymous
| We did it--it took about two weeks for them to become friends--very worth it. |
Anonymous
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 |
Anonymous
C'mon. Dogs and kids are wonderful but they are both bit attention-seekers. And if OP's dog is anything like mine, the dog is the locust of the animal world. |
Anonymous
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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. |
Anonymous
| OP hwre. Thanks for all the helpful comments. |
Anonymous
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We did this. It went poorly.
My dog was 8, was always trying to go home with other people and dogs at the dog park, so we thought he would enjoy a companion. He did not. The puppy constantly chased him away from his food dish, and jumped in between us and the original dog any time we tried to give attention to the first dog. The first dog had always acted younger than his days and we thought a young dog would keep him spry, but instead he became a grumpy old man. Then the new dog started having seizures constantly. Several thousand dollars later, he woke one morning seizing and never stopped. We had him put down. We have not replaced him with another dog and won't get one until the first dog passes. |
Anonymous
| We had female neutered dog about 2 years and got a second female. Thought they would be friends, they barely tolerate each other. The first dog would growl and pick on the puppy, the puppy grew up to be a little bigger than first and now dominates the first dog. Every so often they get into a big growling/fighting match that sounds awful. Never thought it would be an issue but probably would get a second dog of different sex. |
Anonymous
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I will always always have 2 dogs at a time, I love it. The dogs love it. We frequently dogsit for neighbors and always find that only-dogs who chew or get in trouble at their own homes are absolute angels at our house. They are calm and happy when they have company.
2 dogs 4eva!!! |
Anonymous
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We saw a dog on the Humane Society's website that recommended that this dog go to a home with an older dog who would show her the ropes. Our older dog always seemed like an alpha to us so we thought this would work well. Well, it turned out to be terrible for her. The younger dog was like a star in Hollywood, just throwing herself into everything, and soaking up the love. The older dog decided to deal with it by withdrawing. She stays in another room separate from the younger dog. She won't go out in the yard at the same time as the younger dog. She won't sleep in our bed the vast majority of the time because the younger dog is there -- although during this winter she did start coming in for a few hours after the younger dog was asleep.
I do things to try to make the older dog feel special -- feed her first, put her leash on first, spend time with her -- but she has been somewhat shoved to the side by the younger dog. I love both dogs but I feel like we did a disservice to the older dog - although she seems to have made her peace with it all. |
Anonymous
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I think this is the one of the kindest, most thoughtful things you can do, OP. Dogs are pack animals and it's no fun to be alone all day. Good for you!
Just remember to make sure they get along. Just like people, they don't always get along. For instance, I got a parakeet to keep my cockatiel company; holy cow, my cockatiel did not like him at all. Parakeets are more assertive than cockatiels and the little parakeet kept chasing him around when on common territory. My cockatiel went into what I can only describe as a depressed state, sitting under his cage door for ONE YEAR without singing. The parakeet is currently with friends, and we have a little quail, who is very mellow. They don't play together but they liked each other, and it makes my cockatiel happy that he was never alone in the house. When she is not around, he makes the alarm call to find her. |
Anonymous
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We did it. The results are mixed but of course, both dogs are now part of the family. I wanted another dog but I think that my 1st dog would have been happy as an only. My first dog was around 4 when we got an approximately 1 year old husky mix! Whoa!
Months later I read that when adding another dog to your family, you should try to get one that has the same or LOWER energy level.  That was my first mistake!
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Anonymous
| Dogs are pack animals. If the human "pack" cannot fulfill your pets needs, another dog may, but please be sure to think your decision through carefully. You will indeed have more work, more expense and more mess. Are you prepared for this reality for the lifetime of both dogs? |
Anonymous
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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. |