I have five, but I doubt I will ever have five again. When I think back on it I did really enjoy just having two. The future is so up in the air (my youngest is only 17 months old) and the oldest is roughly 8 at best guess. We have in fact planned that as they pass we will not get another dog until we are down to just Shambles (who could be as old as 11 by the time every one else has gone) and adding another then, or just not adding any period and only fostering. A dog free foster is like a gold mine at my work for DA dogs stuck in the shelter.
One dog households - does anyone prefer this?
- Thread starter Catsi
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I think a one dog household suits me as well.
We had Phoebe for about 6 years before Orson came along. It was quiet and orderly, LOL, and I liked it! Then we added Orson and the order exploded! Now Phoebe is passed on and it's just Orson. He is still not 'orderly' but the work level has gone down, and it does feel different to concentrate any/all efforts towards one dog instead of two.
I'm not against adding another dog right now, but I'm not actively seeking either.
We had Phoebe for about 6 years before Orson came along. It was quiet and orderly, LOL, and I liked it! Then we added Orson and the order exploded! Now Phoebe is passed on and it's just Orson. He is still not 'orderly' but the work level has gone down, and it does feel different to concentrate any/all efforts towards one dog instead of two.
I'm not against adding another dog right now, but I'm not actively seeking either.
There have only been two times in my life where I only had one dog and I always thought there should be two...it just seemed like something was missing. When I was a kid, we started out with one, but she had pups and we kept one so there was a two dog household from when I was very young.
I've had various numbers of dogs at different times in my life. A few years back I had 4 at a time. It was a tad on the hectic side, but really quite workable. It was mainly difficult to travel with all 4. Otherwise, we took off leash hikes mainly, and that made it easier than walking them on leashes individually or all together.
Now I'm down to the two Chihuahuas. They're really no harder than having one dog. They're so easy. I like that they have each other for buddies too, besides me. I enjoy seeing them play and snuggle...they get along so well. I have a feeling that if I were down to one, I'd be sorely tempted to get another. Two seems to be a good number for me. Although, maybe it would be wiser to just have one at some point because I'm getting older and lazier. One would be easier I guess, but I just don't like the dog to be solely dependent on me for companionship. I like being able to leave for a few hours and know that they have each other. I find these tiny dogs much easier than big dogs in most ways. It would be a different feeling to me to have just one....not sure if I'd like it...maybe.
I've had various numbers of dogs at different times in my life. A few years back I had 4 at a time. It was a tad on the hectic side, but really quite workable. It was mainly difficult to travel with all 4. Otherwise, we took off leash hikes mainly, and that made it easier than walking them on leashes individually or all together.
Now I'm down to the two Chihuahuas. They're really no harder than having one dog. They're so easy. I like that they have each other for buddies too, besides me. I enjoy seeing them play and snuggle...they get along so well. I have a feeling that if I were down to one, I'd be sorely tempted to get another. Two seems to be a good number for me. Although, maybe it would be wiser to just have one at some point because I'm getting older and lazier. One would be easier I guess, but I just don't like the dog to be solely dependent on me for companionship. I like being able to leave for a few hours and know that they have each other. I find these tiny dogs much easier than big dogs in most ways. It would be a different feeling to me to have just one....not sure if I'd like it...maybe.
I fixed it for you 
For some odd reason I thought you were talking about CHILDREN here, and was confused that you did not know how old your oldest child was :rofl1::rofl1:
As for me. I'm totally a one dog person, if it's the right dog. If the dog fills all my wants in a dog, then I would never look for another. Right now Frodo is not that dog. My next dog is going to have more energy than GOD, lol. I hate that when I want to go hiking on my days off, I know that we have to plot out a path where Frodo doesn't have to go too far. If he was 12 years old I'd say that's fine, but I do find it annoying being that he is only 6 years old.
Because of his various other issues (DR/mild SA/etc.) and the fact that he would be a complete brat if I left him home and took another dog somewhere, I won't be adding another young dog until Frodo passes. I'm still toying with the idea of adding a senior dog so they can act old together, lol.
For some odd reason I thought you were talking about CHILDREN here, and was confused that you did not know how old your oldest child was :rofl1::rofl1:
As for me. I'm totally a one dog person, if it's the right dog. If the dog fills all my wants in a dog, then I would never look for another. Right now Frodo is not that dog. My next dog is going to have more energy than GOD, lol. I hate that when I want to go hiking on my days off, I know that we have to plot out a path where Frodo doesn't have to go too far. If he was 12 years old I'd say that's fine, but I do find it annoying being that he is only 6 years old.
Because of his various other issues (DR/mild SA/etc.) and the fact that he would be a complete brat if I left him home and took another dog somewhere, I won't be adding another young dog until Frodo passes. I'm still toying with the idea of adding a senior dog so they can act old together, lol.
We've never had one dog. Ever. We've always had at least 2 but generally around 4. Now we've got 7 and I think longingly of the days with only 5. Sometimes I wish I only had one but then when I spend a few days at my grannies with one dog and the poor dog is always exhausted because we're always playing, hiking or training. Personally I think 4 would be the perfect number for me. Two golden oldies and 2 young active dogs.
Same here. Really, the only time I haven't been relieved a visiting dog went home was when we babysat our friend's Golden. Rocky was as much a part of our family as our dogs that we had at the time (first Heineken, our Siberian/GSD and then, after he died, Mick). If it's the right dog, there is a very slight chance we would consider a second one, but a one dog household is ideal for us.
Meh there are pros and cons to both.
I love having just Boo around in that it makes it a lot easier to just pick her up and go places. I don't have to worry about food or bones lying around and training is made so much easier without feeling bad about one dog being left out.
Of course, I also love fostering temporarily because I enjoy watching the dogs play, it's nice to have the different personalities around, and I love watching the puppies grow and learn.
But you should've seen the looks when I attempted to walk my two foster pups (2 summers ago) and Boo to Starbucks. Crossing the highway, I had a puppy in each arm and Boo on a leash beside me. Crazy dog lady much?
I love having just Boo around in that it makes it a lot easier to just pick her up and go places. I don't have to worry about food or bones lying around and training is made so much easier without feeling bad about one dog being left out.
Of course, I also love fostering temporarily because I enjoy watching the dogs play, it's nice to have the different personalities around, and I love watching the puppies grow and learn.
But you should've seen the looks when I attempted to walk my two foster pups (2 summers ago) and Boo to Starbucks. Crossing the highway, I had a puppy in each arm and Boo on a leash beside me. Crazy dog lady much?
We have three at home and when I'm not there I think it's too many. We worked it out by dividing "ownership" of the animals. Mammoth is mine, Bailey is "Hannah's" (though actually Dad's), and Liberty is Dad's. This keeps guilt down while ensuring that even the difficult dogs get enough attention.
With only myself, I couldn't imagine having more than one dog. I just get so attached and I don't think I could divide my time evenly between more than one.
With only myself, I couldn't imagine having more than one dog. I just get so attached and I don't think I could divide my time evenly between more than one.
Quinn prefers being an only dog for sure. She is so much more happy, relaxed, and cuddly at my boyfriend's house than she is here. She loves having us to herself and being able to let her police duties slide.
Unfortunately I would like a second dog lol. I can see her liking the next one better than she does Dally, though. For one it will be a male, and it will also be raised to her liking (will be brought in as a puppy).
Unfortunately I would like a second dog lol. I can see her liking the next one better than she does Dally, though. For one it will be a male, and it will also be raised to her liking (will be brought in as a puppy).
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I've never had more than one dog some I'm biased. Though me might be dog-sitting a young lab for a weekend in June-ish so we will see how that goes.
I do like it though. I like knowing that I can devote my time to Sam instead of worrying about dividing it up, worrying about who is eating where, or if I will need to C&R, etc. I'm sure it's a blast and I don't look down on it one bit. Right now I just can't imagine it. Maybe in the future.
I do like it though. I like knowing that I can devote my time to Sam instead of worrying about dividing it up, worrying about who is eating where, or if I will need to C&R, etc. I'm sure it's a blast and I don't look down on it one bit. Right now I just can't imagine it. Maybe in the future.
That does make a huge difference.
Having 2 dogs in an apartment is hugely more work than 1. You have to throw on shoes (and bundle up in the winter, or take an umbrella in the rain) oodles more often for potty walks, have to train two dogs to walk on leashes nicely next to each other on often narrow sidewalks and busy streets, teach two dogs not to feed off each other's barking when a bus comes by, etc.
In a suburban house, it's easier, but it's still twice as many baths, twice as much muddy paw cleaning, much more vigilance on daily walks, a bigger pain to cart them to the dog park to run, etc.
If I lived in the country where I could just let them outside to run off steam, I think it might be a different story.
Having 2 dogs in an apartment is hugely more work than 1. You have to throw on shoes (and bundle up in the winter, or take an umbrella in the rain) oodles more often for potty walks, have to train two dogs to walk on leashes nicely next to each other on often narrow sidewalks and busy streets, teach two dogs not to feed off each other's barking when a bus comes by, etc.
In a suburban house, it's easier, but it's still twice as many baths, twice as much muddy paw cleaning, much more vigilance on daily walks, a bigger pain to cart them to the dog park to run, etc.
If I lived in the country where I could just let them outside to run off steam, I think it might be a different story.
This is true. Most people out here have multiple dogs. When I had Millie, Lucy, Harley (Rottweiler), and Rosie (Rottweiler), it didn't feel like I had a lot of dogs, even though 4 is a lot for some people. If I lived in a NYC sky rise apartment it would been different.
I know just as well as anyone that small dogs need the same stimulation and care a big dog does, but I think size can play a role. I want both more Rotties and chihuahuas in the future, and I can picture myself with 5 chis and that being easier in few ways than 5 Rotties. (Of course 5 Rotties would make me happy too, lol.)
I know just as well as anyone that small dogs need the same stimulation and care a big dog does, but I think size can play a role. I want both more Rotties and chihuahuas in the future, and I can picture myself with 5 chis and that being easier in few ways than 5 Rotties. (Of course 5 Rotties would make me happy too, lol.)
Everyone I've asked have told me that they never looked back after getting a second (or third, or fourth, or fifth, etc.) dog and could never imagine having just one. This reassures me for when I will get a second dog, because I know Trent (like Sit Stay's Quinn) will not be happy about it.
However, I definitely just had one of those great weekends working and hanging around with him that make me wonder. He's my first dog, and I feel incredibly comfortable right now having just him around. So right at this moment, I think I really just want a one dog household, but we all know that's not going to happen :rofl1:
However, I definitely just had one of those great weekends working and hanging around with him that make me wonder. He's my first dog, and I feel incredibly comfortable right now having just him around. So right at this moment, I think I really just want a one dog household, but we all know that's not going to happen :rofl1:
This!
I grew up with multiple dogs, and I've never have it any other way. I'm way too active for just one dog.. I'd kill the poor thing lol I had one dog for a few months in Oregon, and it was such a desolate feeling! I have 5 right now, with 3 more on the property... And it still doesn't always feel like enough!
I had three for a few years, and there was always some tension between a couple of them, but in general it was ok. When I had five, two old ones, a young adult, and two pups that ended up the biggest of them all, it was just too much. I ended up finding the pups a home that worked out great. They lived to almost 15 and had 4 cats to play with in a huge house with a huge yard to run around in.
I've grown up with always having 2-3 dogs at a time plus the occasional foster. Right now while I'm at college its very strange having only one dog but its much more convenient. It's so much easier walking one dog and finding time to train one dog but I'm really missing having more dogs around. I also think the dogs like having another dog around. Even my dog that doesn't play with other dogs or really like other dogs is so much happier when we are back home with the other dogs in the house. I think 2 is probably my number and it depends on the living situation. When we had the three at a time we lived in the country and could take them on off leash walks plus had a lake for them to swim in. Now in the apartment I have to actually walk with him on a leash and I have to actually take him out for potty breaks instead of just opening the door for him to go out in the yard.