Many people ask me about getting a second dog. My first question is always, “Why?” The answers I receive vary from, “So it can keep my first dog company,” “Because this dog is ‘my‘ dog and my kids (or spouse) want one of their own,” “Because I love dogs and have always wanted more,” “My first dog is doing so well that I think it’s time for a second one,” “Because I know of a dog who needs ‘rescuing’,” “I hear it’s no more work than having just one,” “Why not?” and so on.

Humans are very compassionate beings. We often want to ‘help’ others (animals included), to have a better life. If we are animal lovers then being surrounded by animals sounds like a beautiful idea. Often though, our heart gets in the way of making smart decisions.

I always let people who are considering getting a second dog know that they need to make this decision with their brain and not their heart. It’s easy to “fall in love” with either an idea or with a cute dog that we see. If we hear a sad story that goes along with the dog, then it tugs on our heart strings even harder and makes it even more difficult to say no.

The first thing to know is that having a second dog is not easier than having only one. Fact is, it is actually twice as ‘hard’. Dogs are not machines or commodities. Every dog is different and although basic needs will be the same (leadership, exercise, structure, nutrition and affection), often dogs will have different requirements, such as duration of exercise, instincts, and energy levels. Each dog is unique and individual and must be treated as such.

I caution people to take a good look at the dog that they do have and answer these questions. Do you have your dog under control? Are you happy with how your dog behaves in all situations? Do you trust your dog? Does your dog respect you, others and the environment they live in? If a new dog learns behaviour from your existing dog, good and bad, will you be pleased?

Make sure your current dog is a great role model. It is very true that dogs learn quickest from other dogs. After-all, they speak the same language without all the confusing messages that humans give them. This very reason is why I don’t have an age limit or category in my group classes. I find the young pups learn very quickly from watching the older dogs. The dog you have now will definitely teach the new dog everything he or she knows and does, including rules and behaviour, both desirable AND undesirable!

Getting another dog will not ‘fix’ behaviour problems of your first dog. This is a misconception that many people have. Often, people will say that their dog is bored, needs a buddy, and/or think that a second dog will give the first dog more exercise through play. This is NOT TRUE! If your dog barks excessively, digs holes in the back yard, chases it’s tail for excitement, or annoyingly won’t leave you alone with its requests to play, go for walks or for affection, another dog is not your answer! Many problems result from lack of exercise and/or from lack of a solid and consistent pack leader from the human(s) in the household. These issues will still exist when a second dog enters the home - and worse, the second dog will learn that these behaviours are actually ‘acceptable’!

Watching two dogs play and have fun warms our hearts and provides lots of enjoyment and laughs. When we get a second dog we want both dogs to get along and to play together. However, you have to be prepared that the older dog might not want to play with or have the patience for a young, bouncing ball of energy. Both dogs might not want to play with each other - and that needs to be okay with you. Play can be a good thing and also a bad thing. As dogs play together they start out by spending stored energy that they may have built up through resting, however, after a certain time period that energy starts to shift and will actually start to grow and build as the dogs become hyper-excited. Getting an under exercised dog a playmate as a means of increasing their exercise is a lazy and unacceptable solution to the problem.

Be prepared to work with each dog individually. If the second dog you get is a puppy, they will demand your focus and attention as they mature. Even if you adopt an adult dog as your second dog they will still need time to learn the household rules, commands, and expectations. Each dog will have skills that they are better at than the other, which means that you will need to work at different things with each dog. This can be very time consuming and is so important that it must be considered.

Give each dog individual time with you! As the two dogs get to know each other and live with each other for an amount of time, often good pals will have a hard time being without each other. This means that the two dogs will stick together like glue… through thick and thin. Although it might be ‘cute’ in the beginning, this behaviour will often become frustrating and not to mention dangerous. I have witnessed too often that when two dogs from the same family are together they become inseparable. The result is that if one breaks, the other will break. If one moves, the other will move. If the owner calls one dog, both will come. In an easy world (and a lazy world) this might not be a bad thing to some people, but the reality is that you need to strive to have each dog respond to you directly and individually. This again, takes time on your part to work with each dog individually and keep their focus on you, not each other, when they are together.

Jealousy is not something that only humans experience. Often when we get a second dog the first dog becomes ‘forgotten’. Either the new dog demands our time for training purposes, or the kids turn to play with the new puppy over the older dog, or we think we need to spend more time with the new dog so that it will bond to us (and love us). The novelty of the first dog drifts off and attention is turned to the new dog in the family. A great dog can start to develop behaviour issues if this happens. I have worked with people who say that their first dog is all of a sudden destroying shoes, or barking at everything, or going to the bathroom in the house, when it never did these things before! Like a child, this can be a way that the dog is getting your attention, even though the attention might be negative. So spend equal time with each dog on their own so that both know that they are equally important to you and the pack. This again will take up double the amount of time as having just one dog.

Never rely on ‘breed descriptions’ when choosing a second dog. Although this is a topic for a page all on it’s own, it’s important to briefly mention it here too. I know people who say that, “I already have a schnauzer, he’s a good dog, I like the breed, I know of one who needs a home, so why not get another one?” ‘Breed’ does not confirm anything other than how the dog will look. Just because the ’schnauzer’ that you already have is a good dog and was easy to train doesn’t mean that all schnauzers will be like your first one. Specific skills, such as herding, hunting, or retrieving might be more common in some breeds than others, but most dogs can learn or do these skills - just some pick it up easier than others. Again, each dog is an individual, even among the exact same breed.

Choose the appropriate energy level to match your own. I have seen many ‘wrong matches’ when it comes to people and the dog(s) they have chosen. If you have a chance to find a dog who’s individual energy, NOT the energy of the breed characteristics, matches the energy level of you and your family you will find a dog who will be the best fit.

Double or even triple the expense! Often we humans don’t think about expense as we tend to have the attitude of, “We’ll just make it work.” With the cost of living, especially in Calgary, going up faster than our pay raises, it’s important to think about this seriously. Are you prepared to spend double or more, if needed, on food, vet bills, grooming, daycare, dog-sitting, dog-walking, toys, beds, bowls, etc.? Especially if you are (or planning on) feeding the RAW food diet and you get a puppy the cost can skyrocket from what you are used to! Our new puppy eats double the amount of food as our older dog who weighs twice the amount! The result… always running to Unleashed for more food! I have had sessions with people who say that they have switched the dogs food to something more ‘cost effective’ because they ‘can’t afford’ to feed as good to both dogs as they did to their first one! I’m not kidding! All of a sudden people will lower the quality of care they are providing in order to keep the cost down with their pets. Don’t get me started on this…..

Wait until your first dog is at least two or three years of age. Two puppies at once will end up creating frustration for most people. If you wait until your first dog is at least two or three years of age they will have reached both social and mental maturity. This will make it easier for you (in comparison) to bring another dog into the family. A mature dog is calmer and more focused, these are great traits for any new dog in your family to learn.

Your dog sees everyone it lives with as a pack member. To the dog there is no such thing as “my dog”, “your dog”, “the kids dog”, etc. The dog may gravitate towards one member of the family more than others, or listen to someone better than others, but that is based on social status, respect, consistency, and time spent educating/training the animal.

I mention several times throughout this article about ‘time’. The reason for this is because of why people end up getting rid of their dogs. The top three reasons people surrender their dogs are: 1. Behaviour Problems, 2. Caring for the dog becomes too time consuming, and 3. Change in lifestyle where the dog no longer ‘fits in’.

I really want people to think through the decision to add a second dog into their life. It can be very rewarding, fun, enjoyable and easy if you make the right decision, at the right time and for the right reasons. When you make the decision to bring another life into your family, be ready and commit to it 100% for the entire life-span of that dog. It is unfair to the animal to be given up because we didn’t think things through or because it’s ‘just not working out.’ Don’t let your heart or emotions get in the way of making a smart decision. Too many dogs die unnecessarily every year in shelters because they didn’t turn out the way owners thought they would. Far too many people underestimate the amount of work a dog can be.

I will never tell people to or not to get a second dog. This is a decision that you need to make on your own. If you need further help, call me or send me an e-mail. Be smart, wise and serious about this decision!

Tracie