2 dogs?

[Medusa]

Hey, my DS (9yo) has been asking if we can get a 2nd dog. I'm not greatly against or pleased with this idea.

At the moment we have a 3yo Boston, who is spoiled rotten and a little on the clingy side. DS thinks she would be happier with a buddy, plus he just wants another dog

Yesterday a lady we know told us she has friend that needs to find a home for a Boston boy. DS thinks it was meant to be. I'm just not sure about bringing another dog into the family when I (the only adult in the house) not feeling committed to the idea. Doesn't seem to responsible KWIM?

On the other hand dogs ARE pack animals and I do feel like Curly seems lonely sometimes. Also my son is kinda wearing me down. lol

Meh...

Any thoughts?

[it's just apples]

We moved to two dogs about 5 years ago, after having an only dog for 2 years. It's been wonderful as far as their relationship (though we had a rough patch in the beginning), and pretty good for our family.

Pros: They adore each other, it's fun to watch them play, we enjoy having them both around, I don't feel as guilty about leaving them to go out of town (our neighbor watches them but they spend much of their time alone)

Cons: cost (food, vet, etc.- it's all doubled), it's harder to take them places (they're big and it's harder to even FIT them in the car to go with us), more time consuming (grooming is what comes to mind immediately- I spend a lot of time brushing dogs).

HTH!

[Momily]

I could have posted this. Lyle's only been home 6 weeks and my 10 year old is already campaigning for a new dog. He think's Lyle is lonely.

Right now the answer is no -- we're still adjusting to Lyle, and he's adjusting to us. Also we rent our home and if/when we need to move finding a home that accepts 2 dogs would be a challenge. But we're hoping to buy, and my guess is once we'll end up with 2. I just hope we get as lucky the second time as we did this time.

[onlyzombiecat]

We have had 2 dogs for about a year and a half now. We have a boy and a girl- different sizes and different ages. We didn't really plan it but a family member died suddenly and we were asked if we would take in her dog. We liked the dog very much.

I really do think our dogs are happier with the companionship.

The more hyper dog has calmed down, the less active dog has gotten more active.

It is adding another member to your family. That means more food, medical care for 2, walking 2, grooming 2, beds for 2, 2 carriers, etc. They might need different things too. It isn't horrible for us but it depends on you.

At first our dogs did not love each other. It took a couple of months before they were really friends. Now they get along very well. Your ds may be dissapointed if it is not love at first sniff. It doesn't mean they won't be friends though.

The 2nd dog came from a home where they had had 3 or 4 dogs. There was competition for food especially in that house so at first she was more protective of what was hers. I had to feed them separately for awhile.
There is some competition between the 2 dogs at times for attention but they don't fight over food.

There was some extra floor/yard peeing when the 2nd dog came. I think it was a territorial thing.

If one barks the other barks. If one goes out the other wants out. If one is getting petted the other wants petted.

Sometimes there have been noises about getting another pet and I have said no unless it is an aquarium pet or we move to a farm. I don't think I could handle more and I am the one responsible for the care.

[Sarah W]

We have two dogs. I was iffy about it until I fell in love unexpectedly. Our second dog was the best thing in the world for us. They love each other to death and are best friends. I think it was the best thing we could have done for Bailey.

I don't find it any more difficult to take care of two. It is somewhat more expensive, but mostly IRT shots and vet appointments. They're on the smaller side, so taking them places isn't an issue. I don't even notice the food costs.

[ananas]

We've been considering adding another dog, too. I can tell my shih tzu is lonely, and she does SO much better when she has a dog to play with. She's just a better behaved dog, it's strange.

[mommariffic]

I've got two!

I love having two dogs, and I'd even get more

The cost can be a pain, but we have a relatively cheap vet that we go to. We also have quiet a bit of space living in a woodys area, so they spend a ton of time outside playing, napping under the apple trees, and keeping an eye on the chickens, or swimming in the pond.

I think having two dogs is fun :] Plus, they play with each other! Our one dog Bailey is a jerk and it took a week for him to adjust to Logan our Shepherd but now they are BFF

[chaoticzenmom]

We just added a 2nd dog a couple of weeks ago. I'm loving it so far. My older dog has taken the new dog under her "wing" and is very motherly towards her. Before, she was bored and often escaped, but she hasn't been escaping anymore. The new puppy seems to be doing well with potty training, so I'm really glad we got him.

I think you should go for it!