Has anyone regretted getting a second dog?
Discussion
Yep.
We have two collies, we got the second one as a pup about 7 years ago as a companion for the first one.
Firstly they don’t get on, the younger one dominates the old one and attacks him at every available occasion.
Two dogs is a lot more of an imposition when you ask someone to walk them or look after them for a couple of hours.
They also don’t fit that well in the boot of a car.
Oh, and as the one dog is getting on a bit now, they have different walking requirements.
So no, as much as I love the younger one, I wish we had stayed with one dog.
We have two collies, we got the second one as a pup about 7 years ago as a companion for the first one.
Firstly they don’t get on, the younger one dominates the old one and attacks him at every available occasion.
Two dogs is a lot more of an imposition when you ask someone to walk them or look after them for a couple of hours.
They also don’t fit that well in the boot of a car.
Oh, and as the one dog is getting on a bit now, they have different walking requirements.
So no, as much as I love the younger one, I wish we had stayed with one dog.
james6546 said:
Yep.
We have two collies, we got the second one as a pup about 7 years ago as a companion for the first one.
Firstly they don’t get on, the younger one dominates the old one and attacks him at every available occasion.
Two dogs is a lot more of an imposition when you ask someone to walk them or look after them for a couple of hours.
They also don’t fit that well in the boot of a car.
Oh, and as the one dog is getting on a bit now, they have different walking requirements.
So no, as much as I love the younger one, I wish we had stayed with one dog.
This is spot on, ditto different eating habits, one that eats instantly, one that grazes, so you can’t just put a bowl down and forget as the faster one eats both.We have two collies, we got the second one as a pup about 7 years ago as a companion for the first one.
Firstly they don’t get on, the younger one dominates the old one and attacks him at every available occasion.
Two dogs is a lot more of an imposition when you ask someone to walk them or look after them for a couple of hours.
They also don’t fit that well in the boot of a car.
Oh, and as the one dog is getting on a bit now, they have different walking requirements.
So no, as much as I love the younger one, I wish we had stayed with one dog.
A few years back I got an 18 months old lab for my then 7 year old Springer (who had just stopped going to doggy day care).
Best decision I ever made. Both dogs instantly became mates and had so much fun. No extra effort from us whatsoever except the extra cost of feeding etc.
It simply was a joy to have two dogs and for me, it was the best decision to make for the two dogs.
Best decision I ever made. Both dogs instantly became mates and had so much fun. No extra effort from us whatsoever except the extra cost of feeding etc.
It simply was a joy to have two dogs and for me, it was the best decision to make for the two dogs.
james6546 said:
Yep.
We have two collies, we got the second one as a pup about 7 years ago as a companion for the first one.
Firstly they don’t get on, the younger one dominates the old one and attacks him at every available occasion.
Two dogs is a lot more of an imposition when you ask someone to walk them or look after them for a couple of hours.
They also don’t fit that well in the boot of a car.
Oh, and as the one dog is getting on a bit now, they have different walking requirements.
So no, as much as I love the younger one, I wish we had stayed with one dog.
Pretty much this, our second dog was inherited, they don't provide company (often in different rooms). Also they set each other off so my view is 2 dogs more than twice the the work of one.We have two collies, we got the second one as a pup about 7 years ago as a companion for the first one.
Firstly they don’t get on, the younger one dominates the old one and attacks him at every available occasion.
Two dogs is a lot more of an imposition when you ask someone to walk them or look after them for a couple of hours.
They also don’t fit that well in the boot of a car.
Oh, and as the one dog is getting on a bit now, they have different walking requirements.
So no, as much as I love the younger one, I wish we had stayed with one dog.
Holidays, pubs, visiting, outings etc all more awkward and need more planning.
We have three.
Have had dogs for over thirty years.
Started with one, then went for a second.
Have mainly had two but this is our second time with three.
We are retired and love having them.
We also foster from time to time which mostly works OK but not always. our three are always welcoming to the visitor
Have had dogs for over thirty years.
Started with one, then went for a second.
Have mainly had two but this is our second time with three.
We are retired and love having them.
We also foster from time to time which mostly works OK but not always. our three are always welcoming to the visitor
I worked for a well to do lady once around 2002. She had 43 Hungarian Vizslas . It was quite a lot.
Used to go to the Slaughterhouse regularly to get green tripe. She also made me toast countless slices of bread for them.
She was quite eccentric.
Two may be a little easier BUT unless you are both set on the idea then it's possibly NOT a good one.
Used to go to the Slaughterhouse regularly to get green tripe. She also made me toast countless slices of bread for them.
She was quite eccentric.
Two may be a little easier BUT unless you are both set on the idea then it's possibly NOT a good one.
Jasandjules said:
Wait, people have only two dogs? We have a minimum of three on the go as a rule, up to five at times...
This.Once my parents were persuaded to get the first second dog (if you see what I mean) they always had two together, generally an older and younger one. Never any issues. Right up until their last dog, who is still with my mum, since my dad died a couple of years ago.
I had my first dog of my own for about 6 months before I adopted another. After that, I always had at least two, and up to four at any one time. We have three at the moment, with Luna being my 15th dog.
There has only been one time it didn't work out. Sometimes dogs just aren't suited, but you can do certain things to give it a better chance of working.
I just think dogs offer each other a companionship we can't.
We rehomed a second dog 10 years ago, cocker.
She was a handful as a youthful dog (8 months old when we got her), so yes many regrets for the first 6 months after which she (and we) came to an understanding.
We had her mated 2 years later and kept the boy from her litter, he's also very loving and mum and son are the best of mates, thankfully the boy doesn't snore at olympic medal winning volume unlike his mum who also makes the weirdest sounds when she's nibbling/grooming herself, most vocal dog i've had.
All three getting on a bit now, the Vis is 15 and starting to get stiff in her back legs but otherwise all 3 are in good health.
From our experience 2 is OK but 3 is a bit of a handful for walkies etc when one partner is out at work.
Estate type car a must for more than one dog.
Must say, these cockers are the cleanest dogs i've known, spend hours grooming themselves consequently they always smell lovely, however dog hair around the house is something else.
On leads cockers are hopeless unless using a criss cross lead over the snouts which if you've never tried it is just amazing the difference.
She was a handful as a youthful dog (8 months old when we got her), so yes many regrets for the first 6 months after which she (and we) came to an understanding.
We had her mated 2 years later and kept the boy from her litter, he's also very loving and mum and son are the best of mates, thankfully the boy doesn't snore at olympic medal winning volume unlike his mum who also makes the weirdest sounds when she's nibbling/grooming herself, most vocal dog i've had.
All three getting on a bit now, the Vis is 15 and starting to get stiff in her back legs but otherwise all 3 are in good health.
From our experience 2 is OK but 3 is a bit of a handful for walkies etc when one partner is out at work.
Estate type car a must for more than one dog.
Must say, these cockers are the cleanest dogs i've known, spend hours grooming themselves consequently they always smell lovely, however dog hair around the house is something else.
On leads cockers are hopeless unless using a criss cross lead over the snouts which if you've never tried it is just amazing the difference.
Chauffard said:
I'm thinking vet costs must be horrific as each dog gets into the area of dotage problems.
My niece and her husband spend a nice foreign holiday a year paying to keep an old, half blind diabetic dog with
incontinence issues pain [ hopefully] free.
Some of us aren't bothered about 'nice foreign holidays'. I've also paid to keep an old, half blind, diabetic dog with incontinence issues alive.My niece and her husband spend a nice foreign holiday a year paying to keep an old, half blind diabetic dog with
incontinence issues pain [ hopefully] free.
We are all free to prioritise spending as we wish...
We usually have two, sometimes three.
I don't think having two is much more effort than a single one.
In terms of regrets, we did have a period where one of the Great Danes and the German Shepherd didn't get along. That's a bit euphemistic, there were frequent fights, lots of blood, visits to the vet to be stitched up and an awful lot of juggling who was where and doing what. Fortunately we had a big house, grounds and kennel facilities otherwise I think it would have been neigh impossible to manage. Obviously that wouldn't have happened if we only had one dog.
Edit for pic cause pics are good
I don't think having two is much more effort than a single one.
In terms of regrets, we did have a period where one of the Great Danes and the German Shepherd didn't get along. That's a bit euphemistic, there were frequent fights, lots of blood, visits to the vet to be stitched up and an awful lot of juggling who was where and doing what. Fortunately we had a big house, grounds and kennel facilities otherwise I think it would have been neigh impossible to manage. Obviously that wouldn't have happened if we only had one dog.
Edit for pic cause pics are good
Edited by renmure on Saturday 18th January 22:54
The wife said two is better.
Previously I always borrowed another to knacker mine out - so we did what everyone said we should not do.
Two from the same litter.
Works great
Then:
Now
They love each other play a lot at home, pack hunt on walks, fight - but ultimately great together at entertaining each other,exhausting each other.
I do recognise that you are look8ng at perhaps a +1 scenario versus two at the same time
Previously I always borrowed another to knacker mine out - so we did what everyone said we should not do.
Two from the same litter.
Works great
Then:
Now
They love each other play a lot at home, pack hunt on walks, fight - but ultimately great together at entertaining each other,exhausting each other.
I do recognise that you are look8ng at perhaps a +1 scenario versus two at the same time
I think it’s an interesting question and in my experience the answer lies with the dog!
For a bit of background we have had dogs all our married lives so well over 30 years. During that time we have had 1, 2 or 3 dogs, never more never less. A mixture of Border Collie, Golden Retriever and more latterly Pembroke Corgis.
The first few times we introduced a second (or third) dog it went really well, especially when a puppy was brought into the household it gave the older dogs a lovely new lease of life and everything was great. However the latest introduction has been a bit of an unmitigated disaster from the get go.
For one reason or another we got a Corgi pup when our last Golden was in her declining years. This bit went well. Once the Golden died we had the Corgi on his own for about 2 years. Trofeo, Truffs for short, He was a brilliant dog, well behaved, adorable, intelligent, basically no bother. A perfect one dog family dog.
So we got him a mate, Imola, a female Corgi pup. You know just to fill the gap in the family. Pretty much from that moment on it turned to s
t. Truffs basically hates being in a multi dog family, like really, really hates it. Worst thing we ever did.
We did breed a litter from Imola and Truffs, and we now have Flash, his son and after a few more breedings from Flash we have Monza, Flashes daughter and Truffs Granddaughter. Imola passed away unfortunately.
It’s bloody mayhem Flash and Truffs hate each other with a vengeance. Regular fights, little puddles of wee everywhere, dog behavior consultant was about as much use as a chocolate fireguard. Etc etc. basically Truffs is a one dog family dog and at 11 years old he isn’t going to change him mind. The other two are lovely, inseparable and a joy to own. Truffs is just a full on knob.
Still love him to bits though.
So in my experience it depends entirely on the dog in residence.
For a bit of background we have had dogs all our married lives so well over 30 years. During that time we have had 1, 2 or 3 dogs, never more never less. A mixture of Border Collie, Golden Retriever and more latterly Pembroke Corgis.
The first few times we introduced a second (or third) dog it went really well, especially when a puppy was brought into the household it gave the older dogs a lovely new lease of life and everything was great. However the latest introduction has been a bit of an unmitigated disaster from the get go.
For one reason or another we got a Corgi pup when our last Golden was in her declining years. This bit went well. Once the Golden died we had the Corgi on his own for about 2 years. Trofeo, Truffs for short, He was a brilliant dog, well behaved, adorable, intelligent, basically no bother. A perfect one dog family dog.
So we got him a mate, Imola, a female Corgi pup. You know just to fill the gap in the family. Pretty much from that moment on it turned to s
t. Truffs basically hates being in a multi dog family, like really, really hates it. Worst thing we ever did.We did breed a litter from Imola and Truffs, and we now have Flash, his son and after a few more breedings from Flash we have Monza, Flashes daughter and Truffs Granddaughter. Imola passed away unfortunately.
It’s bloody mayhem Flash and Truffs hate each other with a vengeance. Regular fights, little puddles of wee everywhere, dog behavior consultant was about as much use as a chocolate fireguard. Etc etc. basically Truffs is a one dog family dog and at 11 years old he isn’t going to change him mind. The other two are lovely, inseparable and a joy to own. Truffs is just a full on knob.
Still love him to bits though.
So in my experience it depends entirely on the dog in residence.
I think it’s breed dependant
Take a look on instagram, lots of people have got their dog a dog, but the ones I see the most are mostly a Labrador with another Labrador or golden retriever.
there’s a woman with a 10 year old lab called Ollie , she got a new lab called tato, and they instantly bonded and love each other dearly, the younger one has bought the older one a new lease of life and the older one keeps the young one in check
There’s also inspector hector and his brother yogi. Same kind of thing
My mum has a lab and my sister has one that’s 2 years younger, when they are together they are total chaos but clearly love each others company, they do not stop playing, and then they tend to sleep together on the sofa at the end of a long day of training the garden into a muddy swamp.
I don’t think you’ll regret it, but I would get something with a similar breed
Take a look on instagram, lots of people have got their dog a dog, but the ones I see the most are mostly a Labrador with another Labrador or golden retriever.
there’s a woman with a 10 year old lab called Ollie , she got a new lab called tato, and they instantly bonded and love each other dearly, the younger one has bought the older one a new lease of life and the older one keeps the young one in check
There’s also inspector hector and his brother yogi. Same kind of thing
My mum has a lab and my sister has one that’s 2 years younger, when they are together they are total chaos but clearly love each others company, they do not stop playing, and then they tend to sleep together on the sofa at the end of a long day of training the garden into a muddy swamp.
I don’t think you’ll regret it, but I would get something with a similar breed
One thing i forgot.
Our Viszla was a fussy eater, she was on the BARF diet and one day decided she wasn't going to eat that any more, fair enough.
Tried all sorts, she'd sometimes go a couple of days before eating anything and then reluctantly, it got worrying but there was nothing physically wrong with her...i should add she's not the worlds most intelligent dog by any means.
The day the 8 month old Cocker arrived she wolfed her food down in record time, which has been the case to date.
Our Viszla was a fussy eater, she was on the BARF diet and one day decided she wasn't going to eat that any more, fair enough.
Tried all sorts, she'd sometimes go a couple of days before eating anything and then reluctantly, it got worrying but there was nothing physically wrong with her...i should add she's not the worlds most intelligent dog by any means.
The day the 8 month old Cocker arrived she wolfed her food down in record time, which has been the case to date.
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