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My SO has decided that it would be a good idea to get a rescue dog to keep our current 4 year old dog company, however I am not sure if its a good idea as I am unsure of what additional issues we likely to see when having two dogs
So, I thought why not ask on here as someone is bound to have two dogs, if you do; can you comment on what its like living with two dogs or is it pretty much the same has having one (bar twice as much poo to pickup).
Basically I am after some negative comments; so I can weigh them up against the Pro's.
Any advice would be much appreciated.
NB: I live in a house that is big enough for two dogs, with a large garden which backs onto 150 acres of woodland; so space is not an issue.
Because there's already far too many dogs in this country already?
To be honest (which I know is of no utility here) having two dogs is exactly the same as having one dog. All the requirements/costs/inconveniences of the second dog are already present with the first.
You have to buy more food and smell more farts, shout two names in the park, other than that theres no real difference.
DOGS!
Noisy, shite everywhere, make your house smell.
Why do people do it?
Because there's already far too many dogs in this country already?
Its a rescue, and neutered, so the dog already exists, and isn't going to make any more. So am not sure what your point is?
Just been reading around and the recommendation is to get one a few years older than the first so prevent both dying/getting sick at the same time.... which is something to think about, I guess
Why do people do it?
Health reasons mainly, they make you happy, tolerant to others and generally a better more rounded person.
My sister has a similar attitude to you about dogs, and you will never meet a more miserable, intolerant person in your life.
2 dogs here, to be honest it really isnt that much more hassle, as most dogs get on with each other and theyll enjoy each others company, downsides are you need more tennis balls, poo bags, and a bigger car to take them with you places, also one dog is greedy and will nick the others food so segregation at feed time is needed and im thinking of building a kennels for them outside for after walkies so they dont stink the house out ( its a small house)
Are your two of similar age or did you space them out?
Also are they similar breeds?
Also have you found that bad habits spread from one dog to the next? As my current dog is starting to get territorial, which isn't a massive issue atm (due to where I live) but if two dogs are likely to exaggerate this I might have to think about how I would handle it.
I have some spare rooms in my house, that I am thinking of turning into a boot room once I finish putting floors down, and ceilings up.
Yup two is great and no more work than one except if you need them looked after when you are away.
As for anyone asking why you'd have dogs well
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Dogs are ace.
On the matter of owning two or more, the main issue is compatibility. Even dogs that are very friendly with other dogs outside of the home can take exception to a new canine housemate.
My in-laws have three dogs: Bailey (a neurotic fat Russell), Teddy (a surly Yorkiepoo) and Bella (a generally cheery Norfolk terrier).
They got Teddy to keep Bailey company, because when we visited Bailey got on really well with our dog, Benny. However, Benny is ludicrously friendly. Teddy is an emotionally damaged weirdo. Bailey is also a bit neurotic, so they ended up with two dogs that actively dislike each other - they can't sleep in the same room, they won't eat if the other one is in line of sight, and they have to travel in different parts of the car.
But Teddy gets on so well with other dogs (including Benny), so they thought, "What we need is a playmate for Teddy!" And thus, Bella came into the fold. From what I can gather, Bailey likes Bella, Bella likes Teddy, and Teddy is emotionally unstable but generally doesn't give a toss about her.
It's like a dog version of Eastenders.
You need to make sure that either the dogs are 100% compatible, or that you're prepared to do a lot of work!
My point was exactly what I said. There are still far too many dogs being produced.
Initial issues of which one is top dog, general fights over food
Jealousy is an issue with ours- we have a rescue springer and he goes berserk if we fuss the gsp- so much so you need to fuss the gsp on the quiet
Saying that they keep each other amused most of the time and generally it was a good idea
We're think about a second dog too, again, probably a rescue/rehome dog.
Are you able to 'borrow' a dog off a friend/neighbour for a night to see how your existing dog copes with the company and another dog on what it might see as being its territory?
Other than that, and the increased cost/cleaning we've not really found any drawbacks... just need to man up and make the decision 🙂
We've just moved from one to two. Two dogs is exactly twice as bad as having one dog. Or is it the square? 😉
We had a 6 y/o Working Cocker and my OH decided we needed another 'to keep him young'...
We got a 2.5 y/o Working Springer from a rescue centre.
Both dogs - heard that bitches can be trouble.
Like you we've plenty of space both inside and out. Only downside is a bigger dog creates bigger 'piles'. Happy with them.
Hmmmm, sounds like I will need sort out a visit.
My dog has lived with another dog for 3 months (owners were moving to Australia and screwed up the rabies jabs, so I had to look after it whilst the tests came in) and even though they are both used to being top dog at home there were no issues/fighting. They did play a bit brutally though but all play and they would lie on top of each other if one got the 'better' bed....
One of the issues with lots of introductions is the current owner is terminally ill and hasn't got long left, and desperately wants to find her dog a new home before she goes; so if I am going to do this, I can't piss around as the poor woman has enough shit to deal with atm.
DOGS!Noisy, shite everywhere, make your house smell.
Why do people do it?
I haven't had a dog in 15 years, but I think this is why:
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Mmmmmmm, two dogs...
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[img]
Everything about this photo is perfect, right down to the way he looks like he's holding the camera himself for a Myspace-style shot.
Mrs Toast – It's one of the most excellent pics in the history of photography, IMO!
Plus, take one look and YOU CAN'T HATE DOGS!
My point was exactly what I said. There are still far too many dogs being produced.
I think they are bred not produced, and this one is already alive. So its not like another one is being *produced* just for me and its current owner will not be getting another one.
I've done 3 months with two dogs, and it wasn't a major issue, hence my SO grand idea to get another one, as it was entertaining to have two; however I knew they got on, and they were similar size and age. The one is older (7) and has more unknowns.
So it's OK for everyone to have two dogs, to fill the countryside with toxic shite etc? That's before I start on dog attacks and the amount of resources that they consume. I just don't get it. I'd better get my coat.
I'd happily see more dogs and less people. Using your logic too.
I used to really hate dogs, but having got two cats and reading all the dog threads on here has made me want to get a dog.
I really agree with
Health reasons mainly, they make you happy, tolerant to others and generally a better more rounded person.
Sadly, with a terraced house in a town centre and both working, it's not really practical right now....
We recently got a second dog (rescue) to keep our original dog company. Having two dogs is great, watching their interactions and seeing them charge about together makes up for any additional poo picking.
Downsides:
Kennels - we now put them both in kennels if going away as it is too much to ask the MIL to look after both, but they share a kennel, so it doesn't cost double.
Food - I also keep running out of food as I forget they eat twice as much...
Bad habits - these haven't spread, as the two dogs have totally different characters. We now have two different sets of bad habits, but on the positive sign the new dog is naturally eager to please and some good habits are being shared.
Things to check for:
Sex - it is generally recommend to get a second dog of the opposite sex to reduce the chance of fights, we ignored this and have two girls, we haven't had any problems.
Energy - getting two with similar energy levels helps, both for exercising them, and in their own interactions.
Age - our original dog was 18 months, when the rescue arrived at 9 months. We chose to have two similar in age as they are both high energy dogs. We didn't want one getting old and slowing up while the other was still wanting long runs. It does mean that in 12 years we will have two old dogs, but again I hope that they will be companions.
Top dog - not sure if this is a real issue. In our house the humans are top dogs, the dogs are just the pack. Yes there has been the occasional growl or put down, but it is quickly forgotten. Again it will depend on their personalities.
Rescue centres - will generally ensure that the two dogs get on before letting you take the rescue away. For us the rescue centre was 3hrs drive away, so I took Copper with me, we went for a walk with the new rescue and gave them a run in the pen. Copper did have a bit of a nip at the newbie, but settled as soon as I stepped in. I think that the staff were more interested in how I handled the two, than how they actually got on. Brought Whisky home that day, separate crates for the drive home, then both put out in the garden for a few hours to settle. Would say it took Whisky a couple of months to come out of her shell, but never any real problems between them. They are in the house / run together all day, but I do use separate crate beds at night.
For us it has been all good. Copper (the original dog) is a bit highly strung and is the most obstinate, intelligent, at times insolent dog I have ever known (we love her to bits). Whisky is a beautiful, friendly, obedient softie, but a real airhead. Together they are the best of pals, united against the cat and constant amusement for each other.
Make sure they got along first and like each other, I know someone who just brought 2 rescue dogs home out the blue, there older jack russel didn't like it and was kicking off so they took him down the vets to be put down
So it's OK for everyone to have two dogs, to fill the countryside with toxic shite etc? That's before I start on dog attacks and the amount of resources that they consume. I just don't get it. I'd better get my coat.
Couldn't that argument be applied to anything; children, bikes, cars, people ...........
All it really proves is you need to calm down and relax little, before you give yourself a heart attack.
Having a pet is much less damaging than having children in terms of the environment.....
before you give yourself a heart attack.
On an environmental note, that might not be such a bad thing to happen.....
i have two, ive always had dogs and usually have two. the overlap helps the heartbreak when the older one dies.
negative issues i have noticed;
different fitness levels - my 13yr old is slowing up now and to keep the younger one healthy and fit enough to come riding ill have to start doing two walks soon
holidays - it is generally much much harder to get someone to look after two dogs (i get someone to house sit now)
vets/food bills - obviously double
as for positives....i trained a dog years ago and since then they have pretty much trained each other 🙂
[i]Having a pet is much less damaging than having children in terms of the environment.....[/i]
Two dogs, three kids, two horses... and drive a 3.0i petrol car. Can't see me getting onto your Christmas card list 🙂
Two dogs, three kids, two horses... and drive a 3.0i petrol car. Can't see me getting onto your Christmas card list
but I should imagine that most people *don't* find you grumpy and negative at everything though 🙂
Sounds like I should arrange to go and see this dog then
DOGS!Noisy, shite everywhere, make your house smell.
Wow. Only if you don't train them, much like children...
only much nicer IMO.
The only argument against except those of cost is the dogs can former a cloer relationship with each other then they do with you. But with both being adults, and having had a life beofre they start living together I would expect this effect to be much reduced.
So it's OK for everyone to have two dogs, to fill the countryside with toxic shite etc? That's before I start on dog attacks and the amount of resources that they consume.
You are a Daily Mail columist and I claim my £5.
To be honest, I'd rather they let dogs into restaurants and pubs than children.....
and I claim my £5.
he wont like that, pesky scroungers!
That's another thing, dogs in restaurants/food pubs .......... Is that not illegal? Should be. Dirty, smelly things (the dogs). No, I don't read the Daily Mail, I'm usually a fully paid-up bleeding heart liberal pinko.
If it is illegal then the same should apply to children. They're not even fluffy by way of a redeeming feature, and many of them are ugly.