When To Get a Second Dog

What to Consider Before Getting a Second Dog

Your first dog brought so much joy to your life, you might be considering getting another fluffy friend to keep you company. Having two dogs in the family means twice the fun and affection. Adding a new furry member to the family will enrich all of your lives.

However, you need to consider the aftermath and the additional commitment before welcoming a second dog. Such a huge decision calls for some serious thinking. Sometimes everything goes well when getting another four-legged friend,—other times, not so much.

While many of us may think about how much our canine companions have improved our lives, there are times when adding a second dog to the mix is not the best idea. This article will discuss what to consider before bringing home a second dog.

Think of How Your Current Dog Will Feel

Many dog parents consider getting another dog to keep their current pooch company. Especially when their first dog is a Havanese dog. It is known that these precious pups get severe anxiety and cannot be left alone for too long.

Their caregivers are concerned that their beloved furry friends will feel lonely when they are not around. While this is a legit issue to be concerned about, it should not be the only reason to get another pet. Dogs are naturally sociable animals who thrive in groups, but this does not mean that they all get along.

Most dogs are happy to get a new sibling, but it is not always easy. When a new dog enters the scene, your current furry friend may experience numerous changes and may feel displaced. He may not appreciate being forced to share his territory, food, dog toys, resting spots, or human friends. Fortunately, if you plan ahead of time and make the necessary preparations, you can assist him in adjusting to his new partner. 

Moreover, the second dog might not be as friendly as you thought with your current dog. Many dogs can get along with other dogs easily. For instance, the social and amiable characteristics of a Goldendoodle make him a commendable choice for a second dog and they can get along with your Havanese dog easily.

Consider Your Current Dog’s Attitude to Other Dogs

Many dog owners fail to think about their dog’s attitude toward other canines when considering getting a second pup. Many individuals think their dog will immediately love their new sibling despite being unfriendly with other dogs at the dog parks, the groomer, and the vet. If your dog is aggressive toward other dogs, likely, he will not be friendly with a new dog either. 

The relationships between dogs are a bit complicated and are not as simple as they seem. Some dogs have difficulty with dogs that are not part of their family unit but get along well with dogs who are in the family. Some dogs, on the other hand, will not get along with other dogs in their home but will get along with most dogs they encounter outdoors. You also need to bear in mind that your current dog’s feelings about the new dog might change over time.

Many Havanese dogs are willing to accept puppies because they understand that the pups are still learning the social norms. However, your first dog might start having issues as soon as the new pup becomes an adult. After the second puppy grows up, your first dog will stop tolerating the quirks and will try to “put him in his place.” 

That is why planning to raise the two dogs together is not a viable approach. You need to understand that the bad behaviour of your first dog might be adopted by the second dog. Hence, if you have a dog that is aggressive to other canines and you bring home another dog, you may end up with two canine-aggressive dogs.

Ensure You Have Sufficient Finances

You already are very familiar with all the costs that go behind taking good care of a dog. It is a known fact that taking care of dogs and raising them is quite expensive. From the food to the vet expenses, the costs can be quite substantial. When you already own a Havanese, you are well aware of how costly their regular grooming and vet consultations are.

Bringing home a second dog means that you will have double expenditures. If you are planning to get a second dog, you need to assess your budget. You need to make sure that you have the financial means to nurture both dogs and give them the good life they truly deserve. If you break into a cold sweat when you evaluate the total budget doubling up, likely, you are not yet ready to welcome a new dog.

Evaluate Whether You Will Have Enough Time

It is essential to properly assess your schedule and be honest with yourself before getting another dog. You need to take a long, hard look at your daily routine and ask yourself whether you have the time to train, look after, and bond with the new dog. You need to be sure that you can manage all the responsibilities.

Getting a second dog will not miraculously free up your time, contrary to popular belief. Sure, your dog will have someone to play with, but that does not mean they will be completely out of your hair. You will merely need twice as much energy to keep up with twice as much canine mischief.

Another factor to consider is whether you have any significant changes or major life events coming up shortly. The major changes could be something like having a new baby, starting a new job with a different schedule, moving to a new home, or working on a project that will take up a lot of your time. If you are going to encounter a big lifestyle change, you need to keep your decision to get another dog on hold until everything settles down.

Be Sure That You Are Committed to the Long Haul

It is a big commitment to get another pet. It is not one you can back out of once the excitement wears off and the extra responsibilities start piling up. You might be able to properly and responsibly take care of another pet right now, but consider in what phase of life you will be in two, five, or even ten years. Will you get married, have children, or relocate across the country?

These major milestones in life can occur when you have two dogs, but the added stress might be more than you bargained for. Are you willing to provide your furry companions with the greatest life possible, even if life throws you curveballs? If not, then you are still not ready to adopt another dog.

Make Sure You Can Properly Accommodate Your Second Dog

You need to make sure that your home has enough room to accommodate a second dog. Moreover, you also need to check with your landlord or homeowner to ensure that you are allowed to house another animal. Dogs are very playful, and they need enough space to roam around and play with their siblings and human besties. If you own a backyard, you also need to keep in mind that having two dogs will surely make your yard a mess. You also need to level up your maintenance when taking care of two fluffy four-legged friends.

Double the Dogs, Double the Mess

As an experienced dog parent, you are very well aware of how dogs are not exactly the tidiest animals. They can create a huge mess. You need to consider the number of muddy paw prints and potty accidents you have to clean up after. Moreover, furry dogs like German shepherds shed a lot of hair. Your humble abode will surely become a hairy mess when you house two dogs. Dogs also tend to have destructive behaviour like ripping up cushions and damaging the furniture.  If you can barely keep with the mess and destruction caused by one dog, imagine how much more damage two dogs can do.

Take Account of Your Current Dog’s Health Condition

Medical issues might take just as much time as behavioural issues.

Whether your dog has diabetes, epilepsy, mobility challenges, or any other health conditions, you will discover that he or she takes a lot of your time and attention. For instance, if your first Havanese dog is suffering from Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, she needs regular physiotherapy, and cannot undergo high physical activity. Hence, she needs to be constantly looked after.

If your current dog takes up a lot of your time, it is not fair to add another dog that will not be able to get the same level of care. Hence, before bringing another pooch into your home, take account of how healthy your current dog is.

A second puppy might not be in the cards for you if your first dog’s medical condition is anticipated to last for years. If the problem is just temporary (such as recovering from surgery), you can start thinking about getting a second dog once your dog has fully healed and the medical condition is no longer an issue.

Final Thoughts

Owning a dog is already a huge responsibility, and getting another dog makes your duties twice as much. Before welcoming another dog, you need to be sure that you can properly raise both of the fluffy paw friends.

FAQ

Are Dogs happier with a second dog?

Dogs are social animals and usually happier around other dogs, but a second dog will never be a substitute for inattentive, absent or too busy owners.