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Location: West Sussex UK
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,044
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04-02-2011, 09:15 AM
As a very general rule, domestic dogs are social creatures with sophisticated communications systems which usually means they are designed to live with others of their own species. Social isolation is not something they are very well designed to cope with & probably most dogs enjoy the opportunity to mix with & have companion dogs around them.
BUT:
- not all dogs have been well-socialised & enjoy the company of other dogs,
- some dogs are fearful of other dogs,
- some types of temperament don't mix well,
- some dogs are perfectly friendly & sociable out & about, but are too insecure too be comfortable with another dog in their house,
- some dogs are quite content with human company, feline company etc in the home,
Then add to that whether the owners themselves & their circumstances are such that they can provide a happy home for a second dog!!
So I don't think there're any hard & fast rules; it depends on the dogs themselves & the owners' circumstances.
If you get it right, it can be the best thing you've ever done for your first dog, to get him/her a friend & provide a happy home for a dog that would otherwise not have a home ~ as, luckily, has happened with my dogs
. But if it goes wrong, then it can make life miserable for everyone
I don't know your neighbour's circumstances, or anything about the dog they already have, but would a rescue dog as a companion for their dog, rather than a puppy, be an option?
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Location: Derbyshire, UK
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,723
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04-02-2011, 11:02 AM
You can do all the training and playing in the world with your dog and be with it 24/7 but IMO that just doesn't come close to watching 2 dogs playing and snuggling together.
When we lost Morse there was no doubt in my mind that we would get a new brother for Ozzy, we specifically chose another small breed that would be compatable and could give Ozzy a new lease of life. So in a way we did buy the new pup for our old dog
When we brought Ludi home Ozzy took to him straight away and played with him from the get go, now almost 3 weeks later they are either asleep together or playing together it is lovely to see.
I do understand that there are some dogs who don't like other dogs and in that instance then I feel very sorry for the dog but realise that in that instance getting another dog would be a huge mistake.
I don't mean to belittle people who choose to have a single dog and I do respect their decision, I just don't understand it.
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Location: West Sussex UK
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,044
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04-02-2011, 11:16 AM
Originally Posted by Pilgrim 
Well personally I do not like dogs living on their own. Dogs by nature as social animals and I don't understand why anyone would have only one dog
You can do all the training and playing in the world with your dog and be with it 24/7 but IMO that just doesn't come close to watching 2 dogs playing and snuggling together.
When we lost Morse there was no doubt in my mind that we would get a new brother for Ozzy, we specifically chose another small breed that would be compatable and could give Ozzy a new lease of life. So in a way we did buy the new pup for our old dog
When we brought Ludi home Ozzy took to him straight away and played with him from the get go, now almost 3 weeks later they are either asleep together or playing together it is lovely to see.
I do understand that there are some dogs who don't like other dogs and in that instance then I feel very sorry for the dog but realise that in that instance getting another dog would be a huge mistake.
I don't mean to belittle people who choose to have a single dog and I do respect their decision, I just don't understand it.
But there are lots of dogs in rescues that the staff know won't cope in a home with another dog, so will only allow them to be rehomed as an only dog. Sad, but sometimes these dogs have been so messed up by previous experiences that they'll never know the joys of a canine companion.
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Location: Bad Fallingbostel, Germany
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,180
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04-02-2011, 12:16 PM
When I did have 2 dogs they ignored each other. They didn't play together, they didn't sleep together, they didn't even acknowledge each others existance most of the time and when one was rehomed they didn't appear to miss each other at all. I think Wolf would have played, snuggled etc but Shadow had no inclination to mix with other dogs, not even with the one he lived with.
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Location: Hertfordshire
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,676
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04-02-2011, 02:33 PM
I also think that you need to ensure that you bond with both dogs as well as them with each other.
If you can do this and are prepared to dedicate time to each and not assume they will always need the same then go for it, but dont only do it so they have each other. You need to want them for you too.
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Location: Wiltshire, UK
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,033
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04-02-2011, 03:31 PM
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Location: New Brunswick, Canada
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 591
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05-02-2011, 01:46 AM
I think a lot of the time when people say they are getting a new pup for their current dog, they claim it is FOR the dog but it's really just a case of "I want another pup/dog".
I agree that it depends on the dog, the lifestyle of the person, financial ability to care for more than one in every day life, AS WELL AS in emergancy situations or in illness. You might be able to fork out the money for normal vet bills a few times a year for two dogs, but what if something serious happens?
While Luke loves having a playmate...he also makes it very clear when it's time for that friend to leave..be it human or canine. He is very much a one person/one dog boy...and although I sometimes get that puppy fever, and have moments where I think it would be so great for him to have a buddy, I am very honest with myself and my situation...and make the decision based on what's best for Luke first.
I know him..and I know he would not be happy sharing me full time with another dog. I try to give him his "friend" times by allowing him time to hang out and play with some canine friends. I have my Mom's dog Kayla over atleast two days every other week, sometimes every week...two weeks ago she stayed here for five days and by the fourth day it was getting obvious he was fed up and wanted her GONE. And I'm not overly lovey dovey with her, nor spend a lot of time training,etc with her.
Besides that..I also know ME. I know there isn't a hope in heck that I could ever love another dog the way I do Luke. Our bond is beyond anything I've ever experienced with anyone, dog or human...and I'd always feel guilty towards the new dog somehow...
Growing up we always had multiple dogs, multiple pets period..so I have no problem raising more than one at a time. If Luke were different, I'm sure I'd find myself getting another sooner or later.
I might get him a kitten someday though...We'll see.
I agree that it depends on the dog, the lifestyle of the person, financial ability to care for more than one in every day life, AS WELL AS in emergancy situations or in illness. You might be able to fork out the money for normal vet bills a few times a year for two dogs, but what if something serious happens?
While Luke loves having a playmate...he also makes it very clear when it's time for that friend to leave..be it human or canine. He is very much a one person/one dog boy...and although I sometimes get that puppy fever, and have moments where I think it would be so great for him to have a buddy, I am very honest with myself and my situation...and make the decision based on what's best for Luke first.
I know him..and I know he would not be happy sharing me full time with another dog. I try to give him his "friend" times by allowing him time to hang out and play with some canine friends. I have my Mom's dog Kayla over atleast two days every other week, sometimes every week...two weeks ago she stayed here for five days and by the fourth day it was getting obvious he was fed up and wanted her GONE. And I'm not overly lovey dovey with her, nor spend a lot of time training,etc with her.
Besides that..I also know ME. I know there isn't a hope in heck that I could ever love another dog the way I do Luke. Our bond is beyond anything I've ever experienced with anyone, dog or human...and I'd always feel guilty towards the new dog somehow...
Growing up we always had multiple dogs, multiple pets period..so I have no problem raising more than one at a time. If Luke were different, I'm sure I'd find myself getting another sooner or later.
I might get him a kitten someday though...We'll see.
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Location: Motherwell, UK
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 17,088
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05-02-2011, 12:53 PM
Originally Posted by Pilgrim
Well personally I do not like dogs living on their own. Dogs by nature as social animals and I don't understand why anyone would have only one dog
You can do all the training and playing in the world with your dog and be with it 24/7 but IMO that just doesn't come close to watching 2 dogs playing and snuggling together.
When we lost Morse there was no doubt in my mind that we would get a new brother for Ozzy, we specifically chose another small breed that would be compatable and could give Ozzy a new lease of life. So in a way we did buy the new pup for our old dog
When we brought Ludi home Ozzy took to him straight away and played with him from the get go, now almost 3 weeks later they are either asleep together or playing together it is lovely to see.
I do understand that there are some dogs who don't like other dogs and in that instance then I feel very sorry for the dog but realise that in that instance getting another dog would be a huge mistake.
I don't mean to belittle people who choose to have a single dog and I do respect their decision, I just don't understand it.
I personally want to get another dog, but while i am living with my parents it is a definite no... their house, their rules and i am just thankfully they let me get Jake! It has only been really recently that i have thought about getting another dog, coz IMO its best to wait until the current dogs matures a bit... so now is the right time with Jakes age. Cant wait until i get another though
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