Is looking after 2 dogs very much harder than one?

Question

I Have a 5month old puppy. He has a great 'personality' and has so far been fairly well behaved (I think Ive been quite lucky). It is the first dog I have owned by myself, and I am thinking about getting another to keep him company and for my own benenfit.
Will his behaviour change when i get another dog? Will he become less attached to me or protective? If it is a new pup, may he unlearn what Ive taught him?

Answer 1

Personally I'd say if you are going to have two (or more) dogs it's best for them to grow up together, so if you have a puppy now, I'd get another puppy not a fully grown dog. His behavior probably will change a bit as the two dogs decide who's the boss. Remember dogs are pack animals so the do prefer to socialize with other dogs. If they are both young the chances are they'll treat each other as "brothers/sisters" rather than leader and follower. He shouldn't unlearn what he's been taught, and the other dog will pick up on his training by copying him. If you got an older already trained dog, he may pick up bad habits or be bullied by the larger dog. So if you want to get another one I say go for it but be aware that differences will occur and you'll have to work to in the begining to keep them happy!! Xx~xX

Answer 2

NO, not for me. I have three boxers and a dobe mix , two boys and two girls. I suggest getting a girl ,they get along better with males . He will not unlearn what you have taught him and as long a you get a puppy and train it the same from the start they will both behave the same. He will not become less protective of his pack ,which will be you and the new one, and he will probably become more attached to you as he will see you more as the leader of the pack instead of his companion, if you act that way. If you always establish yourself as the leader you can stop any problems before they start.
Just a suggestion,but I would wait till the first is completely housebroken before you get another, it will be much easier on you than breaking two at a time. My male was 11months old when I got my first female and they are the best friends ever.

Answer 3

Depends on your pup. I have had dogs who did not like others around me, who would even growl and such. Then others who loved to have others dogs around.
You will have some issues as far as "top" dog goes. I feel more the merrier. Our 4 dogs get along OK only having scuffs over "top" dog between the Saint Bernard and our old man the English Mastiff.
When these two get into it I back off. They have to deal with this unless blood is shed which is not the point of them doing this. Therefor very rarely do these big dogs shed any blood and if they do it is a accident.
We have one female who is a puppy. She gets away with EVERYTHING including walking, jumping on the others when she is getting off the bed. But she is female, and the only one.

We have this mixed dog who does not warm up to anything or anyone. He was not socialized as a pup and we got him at 6 months and injured. He is our most aggressive, and will attack others who are not part of our clan. He circles people who come into the gate, and feels very secure in his kennel. I do not lock him in, and he opens and closes the door depending on his needs. He will protect me from danger. Only me though, so far. Forget about the big dogs I tell people, watch that cow dog!

When you get the other pup just don't make a huge fuss and ignore the first pup. Being a puppy you may not have much of a problem at all. Having your pups fixed makes a HUGE difference as well. I bet they both will LOVE it! They will give you so much enjoyment you will not know how you lived without more then one dog!
Not only will he not unlearn what you taught him (I bet) but will teach the other pup you get what he knows! This is what happens around here. This makes training puppy easy!
Good luck!

Answer 4

I suppose it depends on the other dogs temperament if that dog has bad habits then your nice trained puppy (with it being young) will pick up most of the habits. Be careful that one of the doggies doesn't decide it wants to be the dominant one and bosses the other dog about. It is more expensive to look after 2, and while one might not need much exercise the other one could need a walk once a day (good if you take the one you have already got out for a walk everyday anyway). If you are out at work all day or no-one is at home your dog will get lonely and another dog will sort this in a flash.
Good Luck!

Answer 5

Yes, his behaviour will change when you get another dog because there will be another pack member. They will play, wind each other up, squabble some times...
He will not become less attached to you or less protective but he will become more focused on another pack member. You will have to exert a little more effort to get and keep their attention.
He won't unlearn what you have taught him but he may develop new unwanted habits that you will have to get on top of.
Owning two dogs is twice the pleasure and worth all the extra hard work and exuberance!!

Answer 6

Hi, I bought one puppy, then bought another one a few months after for the same reasons as you, I wanted another dog to keep him company.
Looking back now, its great having 2 dogs and they are the best of friends and are very cute together but be aware that most things will become difficult. Such as transporting them, feeding them, training them especially.
If you are a strong leader and you are confident that you can handle 2 little terrors then I would go for it as they will be good company for each other, however, if you are a new dog owner, I think I would just stick with the one!!!

Answer 7

Iv got 2 german shepherd dogs i 1st a got the bi tch and when she was 5 mth old i got a 7 week old male she really scared him at first as she was so much bigger and he was a tiny thing he screamed when she went near him but after 2 weeks they were ok and played all the time she helped train him as he followed her lead on were to poo and wee and not to cry at night for me to hold him they are now about to become parents they are wonderful together they keep each other company and forever playing altho she as slowed down now as she is due in 3 n half weeks it will be sad when i have to separate them next week as he howls for her when i bring her in for a rest from him so god knows what he will be like when she is in all the time id go for it as it was the best thing i ever did they will grow to love 1 another and you get double the love back

Answer 8

you havent mention what breed, but i have 5 chihuahuas and had no problems. They have always remember what i have taught them ie. sit, lay etc. I dont find them hard work, but they are small dogs. I think the hard work question really depends on your life style and breed. Yes they could become great company for each other. Due to the age of your pup, they will be hard work for a while as they are still learning about things, and trying new things out.

Answer 9

I seem to always have two or three dogs and they get along just fine. Ar the moment I I have two, a three year old who is very possessive about me me and a new adopted one of the same age. My first dog who has been with me the three established from the beginning that she was the alpha (boss) dog and that worked out very well. I think a second dog is easier to train especially when the have to pee. One goes outside and the the other pees on top and so it goes...on and on.
Just make sure you give them both the same amount of love. They will have the odd squabble (just like kids).
So enjoy them they will give you so much love..

Answer 10

Just remember, you will have twice the amount of dog food to buy and twice the amount of vet bills too. I got a 2nd dog when mine was about 2yrs old and luckily had no problem with it. I would suggest if you do decide to have a second one, see how that dog is around others. If you are able, take your dog with to see how they act around each other. With my experience, my first dogs behavior didn't change at all since we socialised her early around other dogs and she just loves to be around them. No your first dog may not be less attached to you but it may play more with the new dog since it will have a "play friend" and all. Hope this helps and good luck if you decide on a new "friend" for your dog.