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Two Dogs better than one?



 
 
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  #1  
Old July 29th 05, 01:38 PM
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Default Two Dogs better than one?

I know this has been asked before, but I thought I'd detail my
circumstances. My dog loves to play with other dogs. We go to the dog
park once a week or so and the neighbors meet on the weekend for a
playtime in the local park. I am wondering about getting a second dog.
My lab mix is a year old. He is fairly submissive, but will woof a bit
if a stranger comes into the yard. He is extremely well behaved and
very calm by nature. He seems to do well in the house alone. He is
there for 4 hours in the morning and 4 hours in the afternoon broken up
by a noon walk (I work only 10 min away ) He has never exhibited any
signs of trouble with being left alone, except he sometimes whines a
bit when he sees me getting ready to go. A filled Kong usually fixes
that. I think he just sleeps when I'm gone. I know he is fine in the
house with other dogs, as we've had friends with dogs stay with us and
there were no problems - got along, no jealousy, ate out of the same
bowl (them, not us ;-)

I am wondering if getting a second dog is tempting fate. Will bad
habits rub off on the good dog, or will having a good dog help with the
new dog's behavior? I thought maybe a grown dog from the shelter might
be good as I can let them play beforehand to see if they get along. On
the other hand I got my dog from the shelter as a pup, and lots of
training, socialization and attention seems to have resulted in a
beautifully behaved pet.
What do you think.

  #3  
Old July 29th 05, 02:06 PM
Perry Templeton
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I have three dogs. Make sure your training is in place and secure with the
first dog before you add the second, and prepare to reinforce, constantly.
Every day, as loving, but as firm as you can...remind them that you are top
dog, no matter what, and don't take anything less.
More dogs equal more dog food, more money at the vet. More hair to sweep
up...Leaving town is an expensive chore, three dogs to kennel or find
suitable places to stay.
But on the flip side, more chuckles, cuddles and entertainment.
The weird thing, I got the second dog to learn from and keep the older dog
company and they don't even acknowledge each other. So the two younger ones
are the play pair mostly.
Mine are 13 years old, 2 years/2 months, and a 20 month old..
It is just now starting to get stable in our house. But for the last year
and a half, I have not been able to let my guard down, for behaviors, and
potty training.
I am happy to say that all is well...but they know that "mama's on the
ball".
Perry

"diddy" wrote in message
...
in thread oups.com:
whittled the following words:

I know this has been asked before, but I thought I'd detail my
circumstances. My dog loves to play with other dogs. We go to the dog
park once a week or so and the neighbors meet on the weekend for a
playtime in the local park. I am wondering about getting a second dog.
My lab mix is a year old. He is fairly submissive, but will woof a bit
if a stranger comes into the yard. He is extremely well behaved and
very calm by nature. He seems to do well in the house alone. He is
there for 4 hours in the morning and 4 hours in the afternoon broken up
by a noon walk (I work only 10 min away ) He has never exhibited any
signs of trouble with being left alone, except he sometimes whines a
bit when he sees me getting ready to go. A filled Kong usually fixes
that. I think he just sleeps when I'm gone. I know he is fine in the
house with other dogs, as we've had friends with dogs stay with us and
there were no problems - got along, no jealousy, ate out of the same
bowl (them, not us ;-)

I am wondering if getting a second dog is tempting fate. Will bad
habits rub off on the good dog, or will having a good dog help with the
new dog's behavior? I thought maybe a grown dog from the shelter might
be good as I can let them play beforehand to see if they get along. On
the other hand I got my dog from the shelter as a pup, and lots of
training, socialization and attention seems to have resulted in a
beautifully behaved pet.
What do you think.



Two dogs work wonderfully in my house. (just my experience) i have a
loaner
dog here right now. I'm going to be sorry when she leaves.



  #5  
Old July 29th 05, 05:02 PM
Sionnach
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"Handsome Jack Morrison" wrote:

If you do decide to get another dog, do it because *you* really want to.


What he said.


Who has more dogs than he can count.


I "only" have three, and they get along well and enjoy each other's company
(most of the time), but their primary relationship is with *me* - I am,
after all, the pack leader.




  #6  
Old July 29th 05, 05:53 PM
Janet Puistonen
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Sionnach wrote:
"Handsome Jack Morrison" wrote:

If you do decide to get another dog, do it because *you* really want
to.


What he said.


Who has more dogs than he can count.


I "only" have three, and they get along well and enjoy each other's
company (most of the time), but their primary relationship is with
*me* - I am, after all, the pack leader.


We recently took in a 14 month old rescue dog largely because we though it
would be nice for our 7-yr-old to have a playmate. For much of my life I
lived in multi-dog households, and they always worked out really well. I
really like having more than one dog, and leapt at the chance when my
husband--usually a one dog type--suggested it.

This time? Wrong. At least so far.

The new dog is jealous of the older one, and nips at him when we give him
attention. She tries to bully him. He mostly doesn't even try to play fetch
when she's playing too. If anything, he's acting depressed, not having more
fun. And this is a dog who was always comparatively dominant for a Golden.

We're still wondering if this placement is the right thing to do for him. So
if you do decide to go ahead, you might want to make sure that there is a
trial period.



  #8  
Old July 29th 05, 06:47 PM
Julia Altshuler
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Default

flick wrote:
"Handsome Jack Morrison"
wrote in message ...


If you do decide to get another dog, do it because *you* really want to.

Not because your dog is necessarily going to be any happier.

So sayeth Handsome Jack Morrison.

Who has more dogs than he can count.



Ditto.

flick 100785



Oh, c'mon folks. It is bad enough when you don't name your dogs. At
least count them and give them a number. Besides, knowing how many dogs
you have is a great aid to knowing how much dog food to order, how much
kennel space you need, and how much veterinary care is necessary. If
you don't know how many dogs you have, you might vaccinate the same one
twice others not at all. I can understand not being able to count to
6,385,914,350, but y'all ought to be able to count to 5,301,463,429.


--Lia

  #9  
Old July 29th 05, 07:00 PM
Lynda
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Hi Joanne

I have just been in exactly the same situation. My dog Jake is 18
month old and plays happily, when we are out, with other dogs. He is
also submissive though barks at other dogs if both he and they are on
leads.

Jake is also very calm and fine in the house alone - he too is left
all morning, I come home at lunch then back to work. Almost identical
to your situation except we have not had other dogs visit.

I decided, especially as I had done it successfully (or got lucky)
before with two previous dogs, that it would be good for Jake to have
canine company and thus more companionship and exercise - chasing
'round the garden etc. I looked into this and found a young female who
sounded perfect - a rescue dog.

She was great - obedient, no hang ups, incredibly loving - but
decided at once she would be my dog and would not let Jake near me for
one minute. She was very jealous of him and would nip at him and warn
him away from me. She took his toys and chews and he just never stuck
up for himself once - just got more and more down.

To cut a long story short it did not work. Jake never ate for 4 days
and by the 4th day, he was trying to hide behind furniture and I have
never seen him look and act so miserable. The final straw was not
being able to get him back in the house after a walk, he was so
scared of her. Sadly I had to take her back, though the rescue people
were very understanding, there was nothing wrong with the dog we took
in, just that Jake was not going to ever take to her. They said that
some dogs are just happy to have their own company and Jake fits that
bill.

I got Jake from 7 weeks and like you put a lot of hard work into training, socialisation and attention

and it has resulted (finally - not my easiest ever job) in a
"beautifully behaved pet". I would never go down the line of having a
second dog again. The only good thing for me is that I didn't realise
how happy and secure Jake really was and luckily we are back to normal
now.

I wouldn't want to put you off as most people I know have more than
one dog and are all fine but a) your dogs situation sounded similar to
Jakes and b) I really would make sure you can have a trial period with
the second dog if that's what you decide to do.

Lynda



  #10  
Old July 29th 05, 07:40 PM
Handsome Jack Morrison
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Default

Julia Altshuler wrote in
:

[]
Who has more dogs than he can count.



Ditto.

flick 100785


Oh, c'mon folks. It is bad enough when you don't name your dogs.



To the best of my knowledge, and unless one has managed to slip through
the cracks (it wouldn't be the first time), each of my dogs has a name.

*I* may not always know what it is, but they all have names.

Anyway, it's been my experience that dogs (partcularly Labs) aren't that
fussy about having, or not having, a name -- so long as they get FOOD.



At least count them and give them a number.



I do count them from time to time, but unless I counted them each and
every day, and at precisely the same time every day, the number wouldn't
be very accurate. Things change around here pretty quickly. such as the
number of dogs "in res."


Besides, knowing how many
dogs you have is a great aid to knowing how much dog food to order,



I buy dog food according to how much space I have left in which to store
it, not by how many dogs I (may or may not) have at the time.


how much kennel space you need,



I *always* need more kennel space.


and how much veterinary care is
necessary.



I stopped counting at "lots."


If you don't know how many dogs you have, you might
vaccinate the same one twice others not at all.



That's why they're all tattoed and chipped.


I can understand not
being able to count to 6,385,914,350, but y'all ought to be able to
count to 5,301,463,429.



I have many dogs, but not quite that many.


--
Handsome Jack Morrison
*gently remove the detonator to send me e-mail

"You ask what is our aim? I can answer that in one word, victory at all
costs, victory in spite of terror, victory however long and hard the road
may be; for without victory there is no survival."
Winston Churchill
 




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