We have one dog who doesn’t get as much attention as he needs and who is left alone every workday. I have read dogs are always happier with more than one to keep each other company. So we’re considering getting another dog from a rescue shelter. I have a number of concerns, though:
We don’t have a huge amount of space. Just enough for our medium dog.
I feel guilty enough about not spending enough time with him/walking him as it is. Am I just going to feel twice as guilty?
He’s five years old and never had to live with another dog. He’s very dominant and doesn’t like other dogs near him or me. Is he one of those dogs that genuinely doesn’t want other dogs in his pack?
This is the big one. I love my current dog and I don’t want another one. The only reason I’m considering it is that I think he would be better off with another dog to keep him company. I’m not sure that I would ever consider this second dog to be anything other than the secondary dog. I don’t think that’s fair.
So, does anyone have any experiences or recommendations? Anyone adopted a second dog and it went well or badly?
I’ve always been the neighbouthood critter saver - dogs, cats, squirrels - you name it.
My dog loved me bringing home various critters all the time. A few stayed with us for quite some time (until a suitable home was found). She nurtured each one. But then again, that was her nature.
I think you answered your own question, Scorpio. You don’t want another one.
Is there a neighbour who can come give him attention whilst you are at work? Or perhaps get a critter sitter. Someone to come check on him during the day and play with him a few minutes.
If your dog does not get enough attention from you as it is, and is not very social with other canines, adding another dog to the household does not seem like a very good idea.
I like Washte’s suggestion of a critter sitter.
If you try to make the most of the time you do have with your dog (lots of exercise), he’ll be better off.
Dogs are indeed pack animals and enjoy company, but if they have not grown up to be socialized with others of their own kind, adjusting to a new canine in the family could be problematic rather than beneficial.
Have lived with both two dogs and one dog. Have two right now.
Younger female loves the other male more than vice versa, and she will be very sad when the older guy passes away. When two dogs are companions, it’s great, but it is twice the food, occasional medicine, and poop.
I just feel like I should do something for him, even though it doesn’t really feel right to get another dog. It’s more the time we are away at work than when we are at home. We leave toys for him but as far as I can tell he doesn’t touch them unless we’re home.
The critter sitter is a good idea. We already have him in ‘doggie day care’ once a fortnight (he goes off to play with other dogs on a large country property). Unfortunately, we don’t know anyone suitable and he doesn’t take kindly to strangers either when we’re not there. I’m thinking up ways to make him work for his food, so maybe that’ll keep him entertained.
Something I’ve done to keep my pooches entertained is to take a leg bone (after it’s already been chewed so it’s hollow) and fill it with fruit pieces (apples, raisins - whatever your pooch likes) then plug the ends with either peanut butter or cheese spread (soft cheese/cream cheese… etc.) This keeps them occupied for a couple hours (depending on size of dog and bone, obviously).
There are also dog toys with the same general idea in mind. Fill it with tidbits and the dog has to figure out which way to roll it or manipulate it to get a treat to fall out.
The OP doesn’t say what breed the dog is. Whether the dog is fixed? Male or Female? How long have you had it? Did you have it since it was a puppy?
I rescued a chow/shepherd/husky from the Humane Society when it was 6 weeks old. I had her for a year. I had her fixed. Things were going along ok and a year later I adopted a second dog. (another female) I also had her fixed. She is a lab/shepherd a very big dog. Bigger then dog#1.
Well Dog#1 is a very dominant dog and will attack Dog#2 without being provoked. Dog#1 is a very jealous dog and if she suspects Dog#2 is getting more attention, a treat or special privledges she goes crazy.
I would suggest you find other ways to entertain your dog (with what information you gave me to go on) There are some interesting suggestions referenced above.
I think you would feel twice as guilty for leaving two dogs at home.
Are you projecting your own feelings of guilt onto your dog? What I mean is, is your dog showing signs of being bored/sad when you are away, or do you just think he must be since no one is there to play with him?
My dog is 8 months old, and I was fortunate enough to be able to spend the first few weeks of his puppyhood at home all day with him. So, when I had to go back to work I felt very guilty about having to leave him for a few hours (I would come back at lunch), especially when there was a mess, etc. I thought that he must be going crazy with nothing to do, just sitting in his crate (it also appeared when I got home that he hadn’t been playing with his toys). I always felt bad for him being alone all day, so one day I decided to sort of spy on him. I left the house as usual, but walked back and peered in the window to his room.
He was sleeping. He sleeps all day when I’m not home. He doesn’t care that I’m not there, because he knows I’ll be coming back. Dogs have no sense of time, so they don’t sit around “counting the hours” until you come home. But they do know that you’ll be coming back, so it’s fine with them.
You should be worried however, if your dog damages property or is otherwise destructive or severely misbehaved when you are gone, as this can be separation anxiety. The conidition pretty much means that your dog has formed some kind of bond with you, so he cares whether or not you’re around (which is a good thing). But, for some reason when you leave he is not confident that you will be coming back, or he doesn’t feel safe alone. Special behavior modification training is usually required to soothe anxious dogs. In some cases, sedatives are prescribed either to aid the training, or when other methods are unsuccessful.
So, is your dog really unhappy, or do you just think he is? As long as he’s not eating the couch, chewing holes in the door, digging the stuffing out of your bed, or taking the car for joyrides, he’s probably fine.
