Adding a second dog...questions

We added a second dog after Mollie being an only dog for almost 4 years.  We talked about getting another dog while Mollie was still a puppy but we were not ready to make the commitment for a second one at the time.  Then we got used to just having Mollie and were concerned about adding another into the mix.  We finally decided we thought she would really benefit from having another dog around and added Penny last August.  There was not anything that stood out as this is the right time, it was more of a feeling.

I will say it's been difficult and frustrating at times but they truly are buddies.  They do not sleep together but on a rare occasion they will curl up with their backs to each other just lightly touching.  I think they have bonded much more in the last few months when Mollie realized Penny wasn't just a guest and Penny has started to outgrow some of the puppy, she will be 1 in July.

Has Wili had opportunity to socialize with other dogs recently or regularly enough since your other passed away?  Does he go to doggy day camp or have other dogs he can play with so you can observe and see how they are?  Do you have any other pets?  We had a cat when we brought Mollie home so she was at least aware of other animals living in the house and they were the best of buddies.  We also socialized her often with other dogs.

I will not say it will be easy, there were times we wondered what we had done but seeing their interaction in the last couple of months made us realize it is worth it and we know they are benefiting.  Mollie was content to take a walk every now and then but would rather lay around or lay where she can look out the window.  Now, she runs around like a puppy again.  We also made sure each one had one on one time with us and we would give Mollie treats that only she would get so she felt like her whole dog world wasn't upside down.

It is a decision only you and your family can make but I am happy to answer questions and tell you about our experience.  Good luck!

We've always had 3 and for the longest time it's been Shih Tzu's. Last year, Bella (who was 6) died very unexpectedly (she had a reaction to her vaccines). I never thought losing a dog could be so painful! While we could never replace her, 8 months later we decided that we were going to add another pup to the family. This time we got a huge dog. He was only a bit bigger than our other Tzu's when we got him, but he quickly towered over them and now, at 8 months old, he's 80 pounds and still growing.

I think it's easy to pay more attention to the newest member of the family, so we made sure that we paid extra attention to our other dogs. We let them get used to the new pup in their own sweet time. For one, it only took a day and for the other it took a couple of weeks. They all had to figure out the new pecking order and it's funny to see an 80 pound dog being bossed around by an 8 pound Shih Tzu.

Good luck!

We had always had one dog at a time but after we moved, we wondered if our dog couldn't use a friend. She is a great and loving dog who seemed happy and independent the first 2 years we had her. She was just not silly playful.

We went to the rescue where we got our first dog and found a Schnoodle who was the same age as her. He was smaller and more energetic so we wondered if they would get along. They met, got along, and now we have two! The schnoodle has taught the terrier to be more playful which is good for her. They run and chase each other and where one goes, the other is usually not far behind. Now I can't imagine ever having just one dog again.

Our trainer talked us into two!   She said that trainers are always baffled by single dog families because two are more fun and less work.  Definitely more fun!   But we're still in the "teenage" and puppy phases, and so there is still a lot of work!  But we love how they interact.  Here's a pic from yesterday.  They're 3 mos and 1 year. 

I'm another who likes 2 dogs so they have a buddy. I have always had 2 then we went through some sad luck and almost gave up on getting a buddy for our 13yo Jack Russell. Last year my husband bought me a puppy. The two dogs are thick as thieves. 

Plus side: they keep each other company. Play each other out. 
Negative side: more food, vet bills double, more maintenance like grooming, less room on the couch. Attachment Deleted

We were offered one of our first dog's littermates when the dogs were 5 months old because the family he originally went to couldn't keep him.  We'd had our first dog for 3 months at that point.

On the plus side, having another dog to play and hang out with was a HUGE benefit for us and our dog.  The dogs love being together, and we don't feel bad leaving them alone or not playing with them all the time.  To this day when I watch them together (they're 7 now) I cannot imagine either of them not having a companion.  On the negative side, our first dog picked up the bad habits of the new dog, who hadn't been well trained.  We did know ahead of time that these two would get along.  First of all, they were siblings and you could tell they still remembered each other.  Second, they went to a puppy training class together (first dog with us, new dog with his first family) and you could tell they recognized each other and gravitated toward each other there.  

I don't know if you have considered a kitten, but we have a dog who was best pals with a cat here. When the cat died he got so depressed that we went out and got a new kitty. They play a lot.

About a second dog - I watched a Dog Whisperer episode on this. Maybe you can google it. He gives suggestions about how to introduce them the first time, which is very important.

We have two big dogs, one smart and bossy, and the other not too smart but playful. I can't imagine how lonely and needy either one of them would be if they were an only dog. They need company and social interaction to be happy. If they have people to be around all of the time, it would be ok, but otherwise I think they need a companion. Our two dogs are so funny together, and they enjoy each other immensely.