Getting Your Pet—a Pet?!

Adopting a New Dog

Recall the day you brought in your very first dog home. All went very well, with you being so thrilled for life ahead having your new companion.

Years of adventure passed, and so far, you and your dog have become the perfect match. A million photos starring your furry friend in family selfies hang in the kitchen, in the bedroom, in the living room, everywhere!
 

Then this idea struck you. How about another dog? A ‘sibling,’ you say. Wait. Let’s pause here a bit. Before you level up to round 2 of pet-parenting, first familiarize with what you’re getting into.
 

Yes, having a dog at home brings pure joy to the owners. What about having two? Shouldn’t it be twice as fun? Well, getting or adopting another dog is acceptable given particular circumstances, but it isn’t always recommended.

Dealing with a Jealous Dog

Like humans, dogs are not jealousy-free. Psychological research studies attest that dogs also share this natural emotion. Just like resource guarding (when dogs show possessiveness in an object of value), jealousy seems to be an inherent behavior too.
 

Signs that your dog is jealous are pretty obvious, like when the dog on your lap growls if another dog or family member approaches you or when one dog sees the other dog getting more attention, he pushes him/her away from you.
 

Most of the time, dogs are often jealous when something new and unfamiliar pops into the picture, such as a new child or a new pet living with the family.

That is why it is crucial to consider whether your first dog wants a new pal in.
 

Training your dog regularly, getting him to obey you using reinforcing commands like, “That’s enough, go to your rug,” can actually help you manage his acts of jealousy towards the second dog.

When push comes to shove, and your dog’s jealousy goes out of hand, determine situations when it is best to walk out of the room.
 

Experiment with tricks and treats when you’re training your dogs. Also, keep both of them active such as taking them out on walks together. In that way, they can bond and learn to get along with each other.
 

A few things to contemplate before you officially get a new dog read these:

Additional expenses: 

Bet on it right on the money that with your first dog, you have already spent a handful of cash on buying the breed/adopting one, on high-grade food, on vet fees, and more.

Getting another dog means doubling the budget in the house. You can’t play favorites and outbalance their individual needs; they need fair treatment all the while.

If additional bills trouble you, then a second dog isn’t a decent plan.

Duplicated time: 

With your first dog, you certainly have squeezed him into your schedule. Daily walking, training sessions, and a whole lot more become doubled because your new dog would also need the same amount of activity your old dog gets.

If you’re expecting a significant life event such as moving to a new home, getting married, or landing on a new job, your schedule also accordingly changes.

If so, a wise choice would be to reconsider getting a new pup until you have settled everything in.

Space expansion: 

Just as your old dog investigated almost all places in the house, your new one is likely to do the same. With two of them sweeping tango, a more extensive area is advised.

As dogs like to play and run around, they are expected to consume as much space. You have to prepare a new, comfortable accommodation for the additional pup, such as where he sleeps, where he litters, and where he plays.

Remember that with the newcomer, can your house and yard handle these two four-legged cuties with wagging tails?

Extra clutter: 

Every dog has its own matters dog owners pay attention to, like sheds, litter, etc. Your first dog has had all of these. It befalls the duties and responsibilities of a pet parent.

That is why it is precise to assume that the second dog brings more clutter in the house. If the first dog irked you regarding the mess he makes as dogs have a goofy, muddled lifestyle, imagine two of them doing the mishmash.

Long-term commitment: 

Adopting a new dog in the house doesn’t just last for six months or a year. Caring for one lasts for as long as his lifetime, having you as the sole caretaker throughout his days.

This is a serious responsibility, given the fact that you have one dog already. Can you handle the pressure and demands induced by two dogs under one roof? Are you in for the long run?

When Should You Get Another Dog?

As mentioned, getting or adopting another dog requires time, patience, and full-time commitment. Continually assess yourself first before you dive into a new responsibility of bringing another dog home. 

Consider the age of your first dog. Is it still a puppy? Or is it an elderly one? Dealing with elderly dogs at the same time might be an inadvisable idea granting the possibility of losing multiple dogs shortly. 

Essentially, everyone living in the house should also approve the decision to put in efforts to care for two dogs in one household.

More importantly, see to it that everyone is excited and ready to meet a new furry family member.

Downsides of Getting a Second Dog

• If your dog is fearful or has separation anxiety, getting a new dog to resolve the problem is definitely a no-no. In this case, this fearfulness might reverberate on the second dog, and that’s not good. Fix your first dog’s behavior first before welcoming in a new one.

To know more about separation anxiety on dogs, read here: Dog Separation Anxiety: What To Do?

• If one of your family members keeps on urging you to get a second dog, but really you don’t want that, that definitely won’t make you reasonable.
• If your dog is aggressive and you’d like him to have a friend to ease his aggression, don’t get a second dog. You’ll be putting your new dog’s life on the line if your first dog puts forward his aggressive behavior on the newcomer.

The Bottom-line

Whatever you decide on, get it together and consult your friends or family. They can tell you their thoughts about your plan of adding one more dog to your life.

After all, the hustle and bustle of dog years become the best years of your lifetime. A dog or two, or more, even, can teach you to love unconditionally the way they do for you.

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Author

Katey

I hadn’t been fond of dogs when I was younger because of a traumatic dog bite I experienced in 3rd Grade. Through the years, my fear has subsided. Now, as I write about dogs, I begin to love them! I’m tempted to get one!