How did you decide on #2 (or 3, or more)?

[Bailey08]

This has been on my mind a lot lately.

I've been playing around with the idea of getting a second dog, and have even gone so far as to meet a breeder a couple of times. But I'm not sure that I am ready, or that Bailey is, nor do I know how to "know."

I brought it up to B's trainer today, and she raised the very valid point that I might have trouble with Bailey no longer being #1. I'd been thinking about how to manage it for B, as I know it will be an adjustment (as he is very, very attached to me), but I hadn't thought of it from the perspective of how hard it would be for me to have another dog take precedence over Bailey sometimes -- I am equally attached to him as he is to me. She suggested that I think about getting an adult with a known temperament, who would be okay with being #2 on the totem pole.

Anyway, this isn't just about me -- I'm curious about all of you. How did you decide to get a second (or third)? How did you find an addition that was a good match for you and your existing dog(s)? How did you balance what you wanted in a dog with what you thought your existing dog(s) wanted/needed?

Thanks in advance.

 

[CaliTerp07]

Every time I think I want another dog, I foster one. After a month or two with 2 dogs, I am soooooo happy to go back to only having one that I know Lucy is meant to be an only dog.

 

[MandyPug]

They just kinda happened upon us lol.

 

[sassafras]

Well, originally... back in the day, my first dog was a retired racing greyhound. At the time, I lived with a roommate who also had a dog. And I realized that I just really liked having 2 dogs around (although we each had our "own" dog we would hang out with and take care of both if either of us was home alone).

When she moved out, I was partly a wee bit worried how my girl, who had been around dogs her whole life, wouldn't like being alone and partly just wanted to continue to have 2 dogs. And I've had multiple dogs ever since. I find I just really enjoy watching them together as much as I like being around them.

 

[Lizmo]

I wanted a dog I could pursue herding, agility, etc with. So, came along Blaze from working lines.

Really, it was so no biggie for me. I love having a pack of dogs. I love walking with multiple dogs. I love having more than one dog to work.

 

[Laurelin]

They just kinda happened upon us lol.

Haha same.

 

[AgilityPup]

Honestly, I love having several dogs. I love it. I love having several dogs to work with, and so adding to my pack has never been a problem for me.

 

[CharlieDog]

Well, first, I have never gotten another dog FOR a dog. I decided on a dog for ME, and then worried about how to integrate that dog into the pack. Honestly, Ozzy would be perfectly happy being an only dog, but he loves Enzo, and looks for her (and me) when we're gone, so I'd say she worked out pretty darn well.

On the other hand, my next dog he probably won't love, being that it's going to be a male GSD, and the fact of the matter is that what *I* need in this dog is more important that finding one that will get along all the time with Ozzy. We may have to crate and rotate for awhile, but Oz will eventually get over himself, and accept the other dog.

 

[~Dixie's_Mom~]

I was in a very similar situation as you. Chloe is my heart dog. I love her so, so much. And I was very scared to change that relationship between us. She loves visiting dogs, but you can also tell that she's relieved, and more relaxed when they go home.

The reason we decided to get Violet is because my dad wanted another Husky, and we'd been waiting a very long time to have a house, so that we could do that. Of course, all of those plans were already made before we had Chloe, so it took us a little while to decide that it was right.

Sometimes I do wish we'd gotten a small dog, or at least an older dog. Chloe loves Violet, but she does get stressed out sometimes because Violet is a puppy, and she wears on Chloe's patience. And with Chloe's seizures possibly being stress related (something we didn't know prior to getting Violet) I sometimes wonder if we made the right choice.

But I love Violet to death, and wouldn't even THINK about parting with her now, and we are making it work, and we will make it work. We haven't had her very long, and things are ALREADY waaaaaaay better. I believe 100% that things will be fine. It's just something we have to put a lot of sweat and tears into, and I'm willing to do that, because I love them both very much.

So even though sometimes I question myself, I think we made the right choice, and I think everything will work out. I don't regret making the decision at all.

The fears I had about my relationship with Chloe changing, did come true in a sense. It changed a little bit. She's no longer #1. But I still love her just as much as I did before, and she loves me just as much. It's just that my heart expanded a little bit to be able to love Violet, too. I love them both, just in very different ways. Chloe is like my other half, my best friend. Violet is like an annoying little sister that gets on my nerves sometimes, but I still love her very much. XD

I think you should assess your situation, and like someone mentioned, maybe even try fostering for a bit. See how Bailey takes it. Good luck to you! I'm sure you'll make the right decision either way.

 

[lizzybeth727]

Growing up, my family had one dog. When I got Luna, I had her alone for about 6 years. So deciding to get a second dog was difficult for me.

But I had been mulling it over in my mind pretty much ever since I got Luna. Luna's main "job" was to be my demo dog in training classes, and she did it well..... BUT a lot of people didn't take us very seriously because she's so small and *seemingly* easy to take care of. I think what convinced me was the day I took my friend's pit bull to work and saw how differently everyone reacted to me as a trainer.

So I knew I wanted a bigger dog (I've always loved the big dogs anyway), but I still wasn't sure how Luna would like it. So we started fostering, and it was amazing... Luna actually started playing with the foster dogs. In the five or so years I'd had her, she'd never played with another dog at all. That's when I knew we'd be alright with a second dog.

I've only had two dogs for about 3 months now, and it's still hard sometimes.... I do feel like I'm neglecting time with Luna a little bit to take care of the puppy. But I don't think Luna would say that her quality of life is affected. She's still not crazy about the puppy, but I do think on some level he's entertaining to her.

 

[Saeleofu]

but I hadn't thought of it from the perspective of how hard it would be for me to have another dog take precedence over Bailey sometimes -- I am equally attached to him as he is to me

This was hard for me, and continues to be hard for the people around me. My mom, for example, just doesn't get that I NEED to train Logan. Taking Gavroche along is not always an option. I'm over the fact that my attention is split between two dogs. I'm okay with it, Gavorche has adjusted, but my mom always whines about why I take Logan places and not Gavroche. :wall:

Anyway, I needed a dog, I found a dog that was everything I needed, and I brought him home. I did not get a dog because Gavroche wanted one, I got one because I NEEDED a service dog candidate. Gavroche does like Logan, but not 100% of the time. Maybe 95% of the time. Logan is okay with Gavroche being the top dog at home. Gavroche is okay with Logan leaving with me more than he does. It works out.

For timing, the right dog came along, and I snatched him up. I didn't say "I'll get a dog at this time, and just get whatever dog I can find then." It's about the right dog more than the right time, though there is a balance.

Gavroche is my heart dog, and always will be. But I have adjusted to having 2 dogs, one of which needs a lot of training.

 

[elegy]

my first dog was siren, the miniature poodle, and she was like a teaser of a dog. she was ancient and i couldn't do anything with her. i had her six months when i decided i needed a dog to actually do things with- train, take walks, etc. so i went to the shelter and adopted luce. for me. not for siren.

when siren passed, i decided to get a dog for luce to play with. this was a mistake. not the adding another dog part, but that my requirements for the dog were only that he need a home, be a nice dog, and that luce like him. luce and mushroom still get along swimmingly, but i don't care for him really at all. there's nothing "wrong" with him, he's just not a good match for me. i wish that i had been more thoughtful of my own needs and preferences when choosing. instead, i took the first dog who came onto my radar who needed a home.

steve i got because i wanted a sport dog. luce was, at that point, unsound and couldn't compete in anything. i wasn't sure how it would go adding a herding dog to a household with two pit bulls, but it's not been an issue. buying steve was exactly the right choice.

 

[Laurelin]

I guess I did put some thought into getting Mia. I wanted a second dog because I always have had at least 2 dogs around. I enjoy having multiple dogs so much and Summer had SA living as an only dog, which she didn't have when she was one of a pack of dogs. I hoped adding another dog would possibly help her too. I wasn't counting on it but was hoping it would.

I wanted a border collie but ended up with Mia instead. Mia was by far the better choice for me at the time. She does get more attention but that's because she needs it. It's worked out perfectly and Mia is an awesome dog that was just made for me. I can't imagine not getting her.

 

[Giny]

I had Kassie first and it was always our intention on getting a second one. We waited until she was 1 1/2 years old before we introduced Boomer. She was old enough so we knew what temperament she had and young enough in order to enjoy/play with Boomer. Though, like you, I was hesitant in getting another dog, I felt so attached to her. I didn't think I could get this attached to another dog, plus she was such a pushy little thing, I knew because of that and her size I needed a dog who didn't mind being bossed around. Boomer fit the mold quite well with him being so submissive.

I wasn't planing on a 3rd, I wanted that door open so I could do fostering. That's when Tilly came in our lives. We had her for 6 month as a foster,I knew she got along well with my other dogs and she had so many issues with strangers, I didn't know how well she would have done in another home so we decided to adopt her.

 

[mrose_s]

I knew I wanted a second dog to pursue all the dog-activities I'm interested in. Getting Quinn into formal training has just made me want to work harder with Buster and get him into Rally-O though.
I've struggled a bit finding a balance for the last few months because there has been so much "SQUEEE PUPPY" and because everything has to be done with them seperately its been a bit of a balancing act. I finall feel like I'm getting there though, making time to give each one alone time with me, get each one out of the house etc etc.

 

[Doberluv]

I've had multiple dogs for so long, I don't really remember what went on in my head when I started adding to my group. I had my Lab as a single dog for several years, then added Chulita because I wanted a Chihuahua, then Jose` soon after because I wanted another Chihuahua. LOL. Can't have just one of those. Then there was Lyric because I wanted a Doberman to do sports with and just because....Now I'm down to the two Chi's because the others went off to Rainbow Bridge. I miss them a lot. But am enjoying the ease of just the two. I can't imagine just having one though. There isn't one dog I favor over the other...no #1. They are both such an integral part of my life, now that I've had them for 9 and almost 11 years. I don't think I'll get a 3rd though at this time in my life. These two are just perfect. I lucked out that they are crazy about each other and have no issues. They're just really easy and fulfilling to me and each other it seems.

 

[*blackrose]

We've never really decided, they just sort of happened. LOL After Blackie, my parents didn't want another dog, but a stray showed up and she stayed. Since we already had our neighbor's Malamute living with us, it was like having three dogs. Brownie passed away and we kept Rose. Then Loupie passed away and we were back down to two. It stayed that way for awhile, then we raised a guide dog pup for an organization and that made me want another dog SO bad. When we returned her, I started looking for another dog and a year later Chloe came home. Blackie has been gone a year now and we're down to just the two girls. I'm picking up a foster tomorrow after class and I'm hoping he can become a permanent addition.

So we've always had at least two dogs and I like it that way. I'm not sure if I could handle having more than three (or four), but two or three is the perfect number for me, I think.

 

[Bailey08]

I am loving these thoughtful responses! Thanks so much for posting.

B's trainer emphasized advice she's been told over and over by her friends -- and I've seen it posted here several times, too, including in this thread: I need to get another dog (if at all) for me, not for Bailey. Maybe this is odd, even for a dog forum, but I have a hard time not putting B first. It was interesting to me that she thought I might have the problem with B not being #1; she wasn't all that worried about how B would adjust. Dogs, of course, adjust. He also has some SA (working on it!), and she thought another dog may help him with that.

I just feel kind of up in the air. I'd gotten a little attached to the idea of a puppy. And I was looking at Tollers, though now I'm not sure that's the best idea given our circumstances. B is really easygoing, and a more pushy dog might not be the best choice. Ugh! (Also, I really like overthinking things, lol.)

Anyway, enough about us. I really appreciate the comments and hope more people chime in -- I know there are a lot of heart dogs out there.

 

[Brattina88]

We've always lived in a multi-dog household... but Maddie's been *my* only dog for a while. Of course, I always considered Missy mine, too, but it was ultimately my Dad's decision when he got her. And when I moved out, it was just me and Maddie :/ But it feels like I have 3 most days... as long as I can get away with it hehe

I was back and forth on the idea of the whole thing, before getting Bailey. To be honest, I still wasn't 100% set on the idea when I was driving out to meet Bailey (then Shelby). If she wouldn've have been so stinking right I tell myself I would've passed on her. Well, I may have fostered, but I have been fostering so that's another story lol

I wanted another dog for entirely selfish reasons. One of the reasons that I am almost embarassed to say outloud... is... Heaven forbid something every happen to Maddie I don't know what I'd do. The idea of another dog to learn some of her habits (both bad and good, I'm okay with that) is somewhat comforting to me

BUT of course I wanted another dog for reasons many of the others posted. To do more things with like dabble in agility, maybe even rally. Fun, and training. Plus, I really wanted a Sheltie in my life again.

About the whole guilt thing... I plan 1 on 1 time with both of them. So, when I'm out with one, I don't feel guilty because I know later I will do something special with the other. And of course we all go places and do things all together, too. For example, right now I am doing a lot of training with Bailey to get her ready for her CGC test... and she has training classes on Sat. After a little training session, I'll do some brush ups with Maddie. And for a little bit of a challenge I'll do some stays and such with them together. Or I'll walk them around the block and to the park before a training session, so they're nice and loose and ready to focus for me. I'm also working on them both staying while I release one at a time by name. It's pretty challenging for Bailey, but we're there in an environment with no distractions Just need to add the 3D's to it...

And so after Bailey's training class on Sat she's pretty laid back, so its a good time for me and Maddie to go somewhere and hang out while Bailey chills at the house. And Maddie doesn't care if its the park or just a ride to the bank or lunch or something... but I(we) love 1 on 1 time

I can totally understand where you're coming from! My family thinks I'm "mean" because I say all the time Maddie is my heart dog. SHE IS But Bailey is... just Bailey LOL. Of Course I love her!!!!! But, its not the same connection... and I don't think any less of her, or anything like that... but chazzer's understand. Maddie (and Missy when applicable) are No.1 - I do not tolerate any rude or pushy behavior, or shoving in front of them when I'm giving them attention. Or anything like that. But, I do have two hands, and two sides. lol

 

[Southpaw]

I never had to take this into consideration before, but I think about it a LOT when I start thinking about my BC puppy.

We had Molly and then we got Lucy. There was no question. Molly was I think 9 years old, she was well-behaved and low-energy and slept most of the day, so it wasn't like she was used to constantly doing activities, and now we were going to shift our attention to a puppy. There really was no change in Molly's life after we Lucy--aside from the fact that she had to get used to another dog being in the house.

When we added Juno to the mix, again, no thought involved. Once again, Lucy was an easy, low-maintenance dog so it didn't seem like we had to split our attention between 2 dogs. We could focus our attention on Juno and Lucy was fine to sleep on the couch as usual. I can take Juno out separately and do things with her, because Lucy does not enjoy exercising or leaving the house. It works.

But getting another puppy with Juno? I think about it A LOT. Because Juno IS used to me giving her so much attention, we do things all the time, we train and exercise and play etc.... I don't know how easy it would be to get a puppy, and take some of my attention off Juno. I don't know how she'd cope. I don't work with Lucy because Lucy doesn't care, so even though I have 2 dogs, I don't really have to divide my attention. It would be a huge change for Juno.

Ultimately though--I have to tell myself that Juno will be FINE, she will adjust and it is not the end of the world. I can get the dog I want to get. It'll take some adjusting from everyone, but it will work.