Thinking of adding second dog

[Chris Smith]

I am seriously considering getting a second dog and would like some advice. The second dog would be partly for me (since my life has been so happy and complete with Nalu in it) and partly for Nalu since he loves to be with other dogs and since he is alone when I work.

Nalu is about 9+ months old and is a neutered male from a shelter that rescued him from another kill shelter. I don't know anything about his background or breed and I got him when he was 4 months old. He has an incredible temperment. He's friendly to all dogs and all people and extremely playful and curious. Initially he was not affectionate at all. Didn't like to cuddle or be petted, etc. I did not feel like we bonded for at least 2-3 months. Then things started to change. We are extremely bonded now and he is much more affectionate and cuddly, etc. We definitely have a strong connection together and spend a huge amount of time together.

I would like to get another rescue dog so again, I will probably have little to no information about background, breed, temperment, etc. I am not particular to male, female, breed, etc.

I want a dog that can match Nalu's energy level - which means they can play for hours and hours including swimming, hiking, running on trails, etc. I don't want Nalu to feel threatened or jealous or like he is not my special boy. I don't want to interrupt or halt the bonding that has occurred with Nalu.

Here are the questions:
1. Do I choose based upon a gut feeling like I did with Nalu?
2. Is it better to foster another dog to see how they do for a few weeks instead of just adopting and hoping it works out?
3. How can I tell if Nalu wants the other dog to be his brother or sister?
4. Does it matter if it's a male or female?
5. Since it will be a rescue dog, should I be concerned about any "issues" the new dog may have with fears, aggression, abuse, etc. since Nalu doesn't have that?
6. Could it cause him to have any of these things come up?
7. Is it best to get a dog younger than him, older or about the same age? Or does age not matter and just energy level?
8. Should I be concerned with breed? I don't know Nalu - just his instincts and size. Is it important to match this at all?

I hope this post isn't too long. Any answers or advice would be appreciated.

[Melissa Brunoehler]

Hi Chris~

Thank you for considering adopting again & for really thinking about taking in another dog rather than just doing it :D
You asked some great questions and I'll try to answer as best I can although I'm short on time. I'm sure others will chime in also.

Your reasons for wanting another dog were the same as mine, I wanted another dog for myself & really wanted L to have a canine companion.

I'll warn you because my dogs are so good at entertaining each other I don't exercise as much as I used to! The other thing to remember is that your dog food, dog toys, & vet bills are going to be twice as much with 2 dogs.
You'll also have to do twice as much training. I like my first dog to be pretty well trained before I take on another dog.

You can keep your special bond with N by having quality alone time with him & by not giving all your attention to the new dog.


Here are the questions:
1. Do I choose based upon a gut feeling like I did with Nalu?

That & talk to the shelter workers. Be very specific about what you want. They'll have an idea of what dogs are high energy & which dogs are dog/people friendly.

2. Is it better to foster another dog to see how they do for a few weeks instead of just adopting and hoping it works out?

Well it's up to you. Fostering is a good idea but remember dogs don't necessarily bond instantly with each other. Fostering is nice because if you feel that it isn't a good match you aren't abandoning the dog. After you have picked a dog that you think you might like to foster/adopt bring N to meet him and see how he reacts.

3. How can I tell if Nalu wants the other dog to be his brother or sister?

Ask an animal communicator? Seriously you'll have to use your judgement based on how he reacts to the other pup.

4. Does it matter if it's a male or female?
No.

5. Since it will be a rescue dog, should I be concerned about any "issues" the new dog may have with fears, aggression, abuse, etc. since Nalu doesn't have that?

Any rescue is capable of having "issues". L is my first adopted dog that has issues. I have known & owned some completely awesome issue free rescue dogs. But you do need to be aware that it is possible that this dog will have issues, hopefully the shelter people will be ale to help you with this.
6. Could it cause him to have any of these things come up?

I'm not exactly sure what you mean,but Bel has not taken on any of L's issues.
7. Is it best to get a dog younger than him, older or about the same age? Or does age not matter and just energy level?

It depends on what you want. A very young dog will likely have less "issues" but may require more training(including potty). From what you've said it sounds like a young (less than a year old) playful pup would be a good match. But the right fit for you & N might be a 4 yo dog- you just have to see what's out there. When I'm thinking of getting another dog I like to look on the shelter's website and see what catches my eye, then I'll go into meet the dog(s)
8. Should I be concerned with breed? I don't know Nalu - just his instincts and size. Is it important to match this at all?

No. What's important is that the dog is dog & people friendly and a good fit for the 2 of you.

I hope this post isn't too long. Any answers or advice would be appreciated.[/QUOTE]

[Sarah Moore]

Chris-



Melissa pretty much answered all of your questions, but I thought I would jump in here too as a fellow multiple dog owner (and I'm still new at this too, we adopted our first dog less then 3 years ago). First off, I LOVE having multiple dogs, 2 was 2x as much fun as 1, and 3 is a BLAST. I'm only going to answer the questions that I have personal experience with, and remember, not an expert here, just my observations :)



Here are the questions:

2. Is it better to foster another dog to see how they do for a few weeks instead of just adopting and hoping it works out?

Most rescue organizations and shelters will let you "return" a dog if there are issues, such as Nalu and his new sibling not getting along, etc. I know that sounds awful, "returning", but if it truly doesn't work out, there is that option. Something to consider, although I think fostering is a great idea as well. I applied with several organizations to foster a dog before we adopted Ginger in January, but never actually had the opportunity. A lot of dogs I was offered were injured, and with 2 big very active dogs, I couldn't in good conscious take in an injured dog.

4. Does it matter if it's a male or female?.

This is very controversial, from my readings on owning multiple dogs, and in my experience, it is much easier for male to female, vs. same sex pairs, to get along. This might just be the personalities of my dogs, but I find myself controlling "tiffs" between my 2 males much more frequently then between the Ginger and the 2 boys. Since the sky is the limit for you, I would lean towards a female as a companion for Nalu. Esp since he is just reaching the full swing of adolescences.



Hope that is useful!


I hope this post isn't too long. Any answers or advice would be appreciated.[/QUOTE]

[magoo]

And now a less positive response...
I adopted Magoo close to a year ago - he was a rescue and has quite a few issues and quite a bit of energy...
I had also entertained getting him a "friend"
Then, a "friend" followed my sister home.
I thought Magoo would LOVE having a companion - he HATES it! Hates it hates it hates it - even though he LOVES going to the doggy park and being around other dogs - so, I now spend most of my free time either supervising them or walking and training them separately. He's so gosh-darned jealous of the other guy - he wants me all to himself - I both love that and hate it!
Basically it is HELL having 2 dogs! Mostly because Magoo has so many issues and it's gonna be a while before he doesn't. Also because I don't have as much patience and time as I thought - I was doing well with the one, but I can't say I'm doing great with 2!
The stray is a WONDERFUL dog and we've gotten him into a "foster" program with the rescue organization I adopted Magoo from - I hope he finds a forever home soon!
So - my biggest advice would be this -
go with your gut about the animal that you bring in - but FOSTER first - that way there are no strings attached, and if it doesn't work out with N then you've done a HUGE favor to the foster dog - they're more easily adoptable if they have a few household manners!
Good luck!
And good job on really thinking first instead of just jumping in - I wish more people did that - there'd be a lot less homeless animals in the world.

[Luciann]

Chris

i will also through my two cents worth in.

I have always had multiple dogs it seems. I have always had strays or resuce animals it seems never a pure bred. And normally the dogs i had did not have issues at least i can be thankful for that.

About 2 years ago after my divorce and no animals for about 2.5 years i was given a 9 wk old chihuahua and we bonded instantly. though he was fearful about some stuff he was a good dog and very loving. When he turned a year old my sister bred her female chi with him and i got a little female to give him company. Well to keep with the story, my sister had to keep my little girl after i had her for a month until i could find a new place to live so that i could have both of them.

Anyway for the month i had her as a baby she and my male got a long fine. but the move and the puppy coming back caused a drastic change in my little boy. That is when i found DD...things have improved after i got frodo neutered.

So here is my advice, look at the shelters, talk to the workers and let Nalu, help pick out the new addition. let them met and see what happens and then maybe foster the animal until you see what can come of it....

i think that Melissa gave you great advice. good luck with your current boy and good luck with any new addition as well.....keep us up to date on what is happening...

[Sheryl]

I have thought about getting another dog (my husband and I had a big dog and small dog, and I loved the combination) for myself and for Harley. I actually thought it might help the separation anxiety. Then I snapped out of it, and realized that I need to get Harley to the point of being a well-adjusted, trained, confident, less aggression showing kind of dog before I get another one.

[Dave Kersh]

Then I snapped out of it, and realized that I need to get Harley to the point of being a well-adjusted, trained, confident, less aggression showing kind of dog before I get another one.
I think this is a wise choice. When we brought the Corgi home at 8 wks. we kept her gated in the bathroom but near the two older dogs for about a month. We would let her socialize under close supervision, and then seperate them again. After about a month, they seemed to know that she was there to stay and began to teach her how to be part of the pack. She and the terrier quickly became inseperable. We've gone through the same process with the new Aussie and now the three older dogs have begun to teach her the ropes. She thinks the big Aussie hung the moon! She has required a bit more correction from the big dogs than the Corgi did (she's tenacious!), but she's learning how to behave as part of the pack.
When a pup has an older dog to look up to, things like potty training and daily routines seem to take hold much more quickly.
It's an adventure having four dogs, but it's highly entertaining!

[Chris Smith]

Thanks for everyone's opinions.
And Melissa, thanks for the detailed answers. I am still "thinking" but all the responses are helping me go in the right direction.

Nalu and I met a rescue dog this weekend that seemend "perfect" on the website and the rescue organization.. But once we were with her and talked more with the foster parents, the match didn't seem quite right. And Nalu did not seem to take to her. He didn't dislike her (he seems to like ALL dogs), but there was no connection for me or him towards the new dog. Fortunately, there were other people interested in her too so hopefully she found a good home.

We are definitely taking our time with this and will take into consideration what everyone wrote.

[Kimberly Lyons]

Hi Chris, I just wanted to add my two cents worth.

I have two dogs and I love both of them to death, but my family altogether has four dogs. I have trouble walking both my Shepherd and my mix together because of the vast size diffrence. Charlie (the mix) is fourty pounds of muscle but Apollo (the shepherd) is eighty. They both walk nice on a leash but it is difficult to walk them together (for me) because Apollo is so much bigger than Charlie. I enjoy walking my sisters golden and the shepherd, or Charlie and his brother a lot more. Just something to think about maybe...

[magoo]

Chris - I just commend you for taking your time with this decision. It's a big one - and I'm sure you'll figure out what's right for you...
No chance you live anywhere near Chicago and want to meet my foster? ;)