At work for 8 hours, should I get #2?

[Eric Moreira]

Howdy! I remember reading some topics like this on the old forum but since they are gone I would like to start it up again.

I know these decisions are mostly based on situations but I would like to hear from other people what their experiences were when getting a second dog. Here is my situation:

I work an 8-4:30 job, out by 7:15a and back by 5:15p. My wife is not currently working but she will be starting grad school in June and will also be gone most of the day. Our Fozzie is only 8 months old so by June he will barely be a year old.

Now, would our dog be happier with an equally aged playmate, or would I have two lonely dogs instead of one? Can anyone give me their personal experience in getting a second dog. Does anyone else leave their pets at home that long when they are young? I am looking into a doggie door so he can go in and out as he pleases but with that there are other concerns.

Thank you for your thoughts.

Eric

[Luciann]

Well Eric let me give you my situation. I work 715-500 and in the spring I work 6 days a week. I had a chihuahua that stayed home all day by himself. Now when i breed him to my sister's chi he liked the company. I got pick of the litter.

NOw keep in mind when i first got Tika, Frodo was just over a year old. and they got along fine. I had to let my sister take Tika back due to a landlord after amonth until i could get moved.

Since the move and Tika coming home i have had some problems with Frodo, partly from jealousy but only when i am home. During the day they play and sleep and have a great time. I feel that it was a good decision, since the tv can only babysit so much. Things are getting better with the NILIF and helping him re-establish his hierachy in the house. He still shows some aggression but not near as much as he was trying too. So i think with no one being home a playmate might be the thing.

but that is just my opnion and exerience. Due to some other issues last week i was not sure i could keep tika but i am getting Frodo neutered and i think things will even out then.

[heathea]

I had always heard from a friend of mine with only one dog that if you get a 2nd dog you just end up with 2 lonely dogs. I have found that to be untrue. I truly believe my dogs are happier having each other as well as me. I had a shy 3 year old when I got my puppy. My original dog has blossomed and now i have 2 happy healthy dogs. They are 2 1/2 and 6 respectively and it is great. Go with your heart.

[Luciann]

i agree, no one can have enough unconditional love when they get home and they will enjoy each other when you are out and about

[Jody Hayes]

we had a 6month old beagle. Took his lonliness out on us. He was a nipper, whiner...good puppy, just lonely. We got a black lab, and the beagle has never been better. The lab is 1month older and knows not to jump, or bite, or many of the typical naughty behaviors. The beagle hasn't been nipping us. I think he figured out from the lab that it hurts, he has learned not to jump on the cupboards, or tables either. When left to their own they play together and things seem to go really well. I love having 2 dogs...I thought it was a terrible idea, but now know that it has been great! Twice the love. :D

[Eric Moreira]

Thanks a lot for your views! I think once we have things figured out with a fence and maybe a doggie door we will look into other dogs that match Fozzie's personality and spunkiness.

If anyone else has more information I am sure the community would be glad to hear it:)

[Andre Mendizabal]

I have your same work schedule and issues... although my husband has his office at home he spends most of the day there, stuck in the office... The thing is I have two dogs and a third that is our roommates, the thing is they really get along and serve as company of each other, my beagle use to cry when leaving her alone but when she's around with the other two she can't be happier. Its true they DON'T spend all day playing with each other, in fact, they play just a little in the morning and in the afternoon, but they do enjoy the company and they don't feel to lonely because there are the other two hanging around... I think its good to get another dog if he's gonna stay alone all day, but you should now that this carries double work, responsibilities and expenses but it also brings double love, companionship and friendship... So I would say, just go for it. But first research on what kind of dog will best fit your house, your kind of life and your other dog!!! Good luck :D

[Jen Greaves]

This is about my moms dogs not mine.
Her first dog (8 yr old retriever mix) had separation anxiety. She was slowly tearing their house apart. She was on what I call dog prozac. She also has epilepsy (I didn't even know a dog could have epilepsy). This summer they got her a friend, a young pup (retriever mix). The old one hasn't destroyed anything, she's off her nerve pills AND she hasn't had a seizure! I think dogs are "pack" animals and it's always better for them if they have a friend. I have three dogs and two cats and I work alot but when I'm home I'm all theirs!! :lol:

[Eric Moreira]

All of these stories are great and reassuring!

Anyone have a bad experience:)

[imported_watchdogps]

As a petsitter, trainer, and shelter/ rescue worker, I will tell you it can go either way. If you have a puppy who is getting into mischeif, you will probably have two puppies getting into mischeif. Perhaps an adult dog who has good housemanners might be better. I currently have a client whose 16 month old dog was doing well uncrated, until his girlfriend moved in with her 16 month old dog who was also doing well uncrated at her house. The two together cannot be loose, they cause all sorts of havoc. So, they crate one, and have one loose. When I come midday to walk them, they swithc places.

Dont get a second dog for your dog, get it for you. Realize that it could be a help, or it could be a hindrance. Be ready to work on two dogs with problems if they arise.

[Grace Erick]

Eric, I agree with watch dog that it can go either way with getting a new dog. I think some dogs don't want doggie friends. They want the companionship of their owner. I don't think you will be gone that long when your wife goes to school. You can try breaking him in to being alone by going out without him when the time comes close to your wife attending school.

Things to consider which I'm sure you have already, double the vet bills, double the food bills, double the care, double the toys, double the energy needed to play with both dogs etc.

I would definitely try weaning your dog away from someone being home with him all the time and see how things go. You know when you leave the house, you're supposed to just leave, and not give your dog attention which brings attention to the fact that you are leaving. That even goes for mom's dropping their kids off at school. They keep telling the kid, I'm so sorry I'm leaving you, mom has to work etc. It creates more problems by doing that. Don't make an issue of you and your wife leaving the house. Leave him with some safe toys to chew on.

Having one dog makes it easier to feed more expensive better brands of food too, not to say that you can't afford to feed two dogs expensive food, but it adds up along with everything else.

I think your wife will be very busy with grad school and homework too, so another dog will just be more work for you. Just my opinions, then nevermind trying to find a compatable dog!

[Eric Moreira]

All of these are very valid points. Thanks again to everyone for the feedback. I think we will wait and see how he does with being alone for extended periods of time, and then we will also have a fence in the spring so that should help.

[Grace Erick]

Hi Eric,

I hope I didn't come off too hard with my ideas. I forget sometimes to use smiley faces and just dive into a topic and get very serious. :D

[Eric Moreira]

Not at all. Sometimes I feel as though I was not informed enough when I got Fozzie so I want to make sure I do everything right the next time around, if we decide there is a next time around.