multiple dog question

[Theodore]

For the multi-dog owners out there: How much more work is 2 dogs over 1 dog?

I'm moving to Kansas City in a week or so and renting my good friends house since he's moving to Portland,OR. It sits on a full acre, giant yard, and as soon as I move I get my dog who's been staying at my mom's house in Topeka since my apt doesn't allow dogs. My mom has 2 other dogs, his parents, that he plays with all day. He's only about 5 months old and I'm afraid that he'll be really lonely after the move. I'd like to get him a playing partner... My job is only about half a mile from the house, and I can come and go as I please, I have no schedule at all. Other than the cost of extra food, is there a downside? Hep me pease.

I'm eyeing this guy... http://www.mokanbcrescue.org/info/do...tail.html#Gage

[El Chupacabra]

We have two dogs, a border collie mix and a chocolate lab. They're no more work than one dog, just more $ for food, vet fees, etc.

I think it's actually easier than just one dog, since the two keep each other company, they don't get bored (and destructive).

[Theodore]

Thats what I wanted to hear. Thanks Chup!

[Elkhound Odin]

I've had a different mix of two dogs for 14 years. If you can handle them, they can handle you. If neither dog is a total aggressive alpha, then you should not have any problems. You don't have to do anything special with two dogs that you do with one dog.

If you haven't done so, take your pup to obedience class.

[El Chupacabra]

Should've also said: twice the dog shit to pick up. And fur (not a problem if they're outside dogs though).

[lemon boy]

We have two now and it is a bit more work but mostly around walks and stuff.

IMVHO - You would be better off spending a good amount of time cementing/recementing your relationship and pack leader status with the old dog before bringing in a new dog.

[Elkhound Odin]

We have two dogs, a border collie mix and a chocolate lab. They're no more work than one dog, just more $ for food, vet fees, etc.

I think it's actually easier than just one dog, since the two keep each other company, they don't get bored (and destructive).

Two dogs don't prevent destruction. I speak from experience. If one is a chewer, the other ain't going to stop that.

[Theodore]

I'm well familiar with the border collie as its the only dog I've had my whole life. They'll be in/out dogs. Part owners of the house so to speak. Pup is going to class soon, he needs to stop jumping. He learned that from his dad.

[skifishbum]

The rasta mutts were better behaved when there was only one at a time.
Sometimes togather as a pack they would feed off each others misbehaving.
I want another Newf bad but I think were gonna wait a year or so.
Dealing with two rambunkcious puppies would be a lot. Not to mention loosing 2 in 6 months tore me up. I would give the puppy a little time/maturity before getting another.

[Theodore]

My concern is that he's had at least 2 other dogs around his whole life so far...

[Shredhead]

I have three. Just more training time, not much more work.

[Hutch]

I have two. More work, because one is still a pup, but the older one has benefited from having a little buddy (as much as he annoys him.)
Glad to see you're thinking rescue!

[lemon boy]

My concern is that he's had at least 2 other dogs around his whole life so far...

He'll get over it.

If you're really that worried then leave him with your mom.

[Theodore]

Glad to see you're thinking rescue!

Only way we've gotten dogs for the past decade or so.

He'll get over it.

If you're really that worried then leave him with your mom.

I'd just like to make the transition easy on him.

[Buzzworthy]

I think it's actually easier than just one dog, since the two keep each other company, they don't get bored (and destructive).

Yep, right on track. We had two Danes and one died about a year ago. She was sort or replaced by our daughter so to speak and now we are talking about another female Dane before our Male dies, he is getting old. Then prolly another female Dane to play with that one.

We are a Great Dane family.

2 dogs are just more money, more to clean up and more fun!!!

[yentna]

Rescues are the way to go, well chosen! And that pup is SO cute....

Glad to see this thread, since we've only got the one dogger right now and want a companion for him when we move into bigger living quarters. Right now, he gets lonely, and is very much a velcro dog, and we just want him to have someone to play with when we have to leave him at home. Which isn't often, but still.....

From past experience though, I'd recommend waiting a while though, before adopting, i.e. the two-week bonding period, so that your current dog gets comfortable with you as the dominant person, builds a good relationship with you, etc., before bringing in a new dog and training him/her. Better to have the older dog be more secure and settled, so the newer dog can use the current dog to learn from.

Good luck!

[atomicboy]

from experience we started with one and added another after 3 years. We added a third 1 1/2 years later. What everyone said food $, vet $, walk trouble, and the shit, oh the shit. However, it is worth it for your dog and for you. It seems the more dogs I have the happier my and my wife's lives are. We love our dogs and treat them like royalty. Please go the recue route. All our dogs are from the rescue shelter and after they get settled in everyday they look at you with their soft eyes and just say thank you for taking them in. It is almost like they know you saved them and gave them a better life and for that they love you a little bit more.

Also after we got our second dog, our first dog was so much happier as time went by. It just made me sad we waited 3 years to get a second dog...our dog was so lonely I just wish I would have picked up on it sooner. Now go get that other dog....

[schindlerpiste]

Until Chelsea retired to the great beyond, I had 2 Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. Each dog weighed about 80-90lbs. I don't consider dogs to be work...ever. PURE PLEASURE. However, two dogs did change my lifestyle. On the positive side, two dogs = double the pleasure, double the love and it certainly is a great thing for the other dog (companionship). Before getting the 2d Chessie, the first one, Chelsea, was a bit rough. He was devoted to me, but to me only. He was less tolerant with my kids and other dogs. The companion dog helped Chelsea to calm down, and made her a pleasure to everyone. I think it was paternal.
On the negative side, 2 dogs = double the expense (vet, food, etc.), and double the work. THink of two dogs shedding; two dogs with muddy feet and fur, etc. Also, we travel a lot. I like to travel with my dog(s). This is easy to do with one dog; not so easy with two. With two dogs, a station wagon or truck is a MUST. Travelling by plane becomes expensive. Also, people (and hotels) are much more likely to invite you and one pet into their home (room), but reluctant to invite you with two pets.
Owning two dogs is a GREAT thing, but don't kid yourself, your lifestyle will change.

[ubertele]

I've got two dogs. One is a Black lab mix and the other is a golden retreiver mix. Both are 70-80lbs. It isn't any more work havng two dogs. Only problem that I have ever run into is when I leave town finding someone to take care of them. If you aren't a dog owner then the two of them can be a handful. Two dogs means twice the love and fun!

[Donkey Punch]

I got my Aussie as soon as I got home after my freshman year four years ago. He had two other dogs as soon as he got home, another aussie and my Husky. That fall when I went back to school he came with and never had any problems being alone without his buddy Chinook. I totally agree with what someone said about waiting to get another dog untill you have completely bonded with your first one. My girlfriend got her aussie 9 months after I got Sala becaue she wasn't happy with how he was "my dog" and the two of them are awesome together. But I am really glad that we waited for a little while to really cement the relationship between Sala and me. I would also recomend crate training.

[smmokan]

Personally, I think its almost easier to have two dogs than one. Granted, it costs more in dog food, vaccinations, and occasional vet bills- but its a lot less work for you around the house. We started with our first lab when he was 9 mos old. He wanted to play with me ALL the time, and was always wanting to go outside for walks. He didn't like being by himself when we left for work.... so, about 6 months later, we got another lab (about two months younger). They're best friends now, they play with each other all the time, and I don't have to worry about them when I'm gone since they are happy being together. Best decision I've made with those guys.

[phUnk]

The rasta mutts were better behaved when there was only one at a time.
Sometimes togather as a pack they would feed off each others misbehaving.

I've had this same experience. We had a 1 year old rescue chocolate lab who we had trained fairly well. After having her for 1 year, we adopted a much wilder 1 year old husky/lab mix who needed more work to train.

The husky/lab trained up fairly well, but she gets excited by the chocolab and then you've got 2 whirling dervishes that feed off each other.

It's not a dealbreaker by any stretch, it's just something to consider. We'd definitely still get a 2nd dog given a do-over, but we'd probably be more structured with our first dog, and spend more time training the new dog one-on-one, without the other dog around to distract.

Summary: Do it. Doooo it.

[Theodore]

At its peak we had 2 parents and 4 puppies all at once, so I know that level of chaos.

[house]

i'm in this boat at the moment- ready to adopt a pup and i'm thinking two might be a good idea. I think we might have lucked out in finding a pair of chesapeake/lab mix dogs (brother and sister) at the humane society, and we'd love to take 'em both. it sounds like two is a lot of fun and definitely do-able for us, but i'm wondering if anyone knows the logistics regarding the adoption process.

a volunteer at the shelter told me today that they adopt the dogs individually, making it sound like we couldnt have them both (this is the humane society in Bellevue). anyone here run into this "catch?" hopefully it's not gonna be a problem, but maybe someone here has an idea how to get around it if it becomes a problem?

btw, the dogs are 3 and have lived together their whole lives-another reason i dont think keeping them together would be problematic.

will post pics of new family members tomorrow- hopefully two!

[smmokan]

I would hope the shelter could understand that you're providing a loving home for a brother and sister, and would let you adopt both at the same time- I can't see how that would be a problem if the shelter was reputable.


I also wanted to point out that I have the same name as the rescue organization from the original post- not sure how I missed that the first time.