Are Two Dogs Better Than One? Everything You Need to Know Before Getting Your Second Pup
So, the puppy fever is coming on strong huh? It’s okay, it happens to the best of us. A lot of you may think the idea of Sadie was kind of out of the blue. But she has actually been in the plan all along. We always knew we wanted to get a second dog, and a best friend for Finley but we didn’t exactly know when. However, the second we saw Sadie, we knew she was our girl. Well to be honest my boyfriend, Cameron, knew so. I thought he was insane as Finley was only seven months old when we decided to get her.
There were many things we considered before making our final decision that you may need to also consider before getting your second pup. It’s easy to get swept up in the cuteness of that little fluff ball but it will be unfair to both your current dog and the new puppy if you make the decision at the wrong time. To make the decision a little easier on you, I’ve compiled this list of considerations and preparations you may need to make before bringing home your new family member.
The first thing you need to consider is yourself. What is your current situation like?
Money
Whether you get your new pup from a breeder or a rescue, there will always be costs that come with having a second dog. You will need to cover the initial adoption fees as well as all the initial vet costs. You will need to buy double the amount of food as you currently do. If your current pup is already an adult, you will even need to buy a different type of food if you get a new puppy. Not only that, but you will also need to buy supplies for your second pup.
You may have a lot of hand me downs like we did that we were able to pass on. Things like grooming supplies, food, supplements, toys, a crate, etc. we already had. However, I can’t resist spoiling and I’m sure you can’t either, so I definitely bought her a few new toys for just herself. Then of course I had to buy Finley some, so he didn’t feel left out lol.
Besides initial costs consider all the things you buy for you current pup. When you stop at Target and grab a dog toy, you will now have to grab two. When you order those delicious chews, you will have to order double the amount. When you pay that monthly insurance, it will be double the amount. Every single thing you buy for your pup, you will need double. And remember everything will also run out twice as fast. Have all your financials in check and know you can support this second dog? Time to move on to the next step.
Time
How is your schedule? Are you working 50+ hours a week and never home? Now may not be the best time for you to get a pup. Puppies need an incredible amount of time and attention. I’m not saying if you have a job, you won’t be able to get a second dog, but there will be some efforts you need to take. Puppies cannot go in public until they have all their vaccinations, which also means they cannot go to daycare during the early puppy stages.
Puppies on average can only hold their bladder one hour for every month old they are. That means your brand-new puppy will only be able to be crated for two hours before they need a potty break! Find out if you are able to come home and let your puppy out for short breaks or find someone who can do it for you!
Besides potty breaks, puppies also need a great deal of training and socialization. Make sure you have the time every day to put into training and socializing your new dog. I’m not saying you need to be training for hours a day, puppies attention spans are very short. While Finley can train for over thirty minutes at a time, Sadie only lasts about four minutes. Having short training spurts throughout the day, makes all the difference.
For Finley’s main socialization when he was little, we took him to Petco’s socialization classes starting at nine weeks old. Because of CO-VID19 we don’t have that option for Sadie. Luckily thanks to a recommendation from one of you guys, we were able to find a different place that conducts puppy socialization classes and she will start this week. I truly believe these classes made all the difference in Finley’s social skills. By the time he was able to go to the dog park he was already a pro. If you can’t attend classes, spend time with family and friend’s dogs that you know are vaccinated and healthy. YouTube also offers great puppy socialization videos that play all the “scary” sounds your puppy may not be used to hearing in the real world.
You also just have to remember that having a puppy means your time is all theirs. Your eyes need to be on them constantly, especially when there is already another dog at home. It can be exhausting and draining to constantly watch two dogs, so you need to make sure you’re prepared for it.
Since I attend college online and run So Fetch! from home, I’m able to be home with the dogs and take them out for their potty breaks as well as work on training throughout the day. Because of CO-VID19, Cameron was also working from home and is now only working till noon. This gives us a lot of flexibility to work with the dogs and make sure they are taken care of. For us, it was the perfect time to get Sadie because we did not know how our schedules would be in the future and if we would ever be freer than we are right now.
Responsibility
Since you already have a dog, you know the responsibility that comes with having one. That doubles when you have two. I always joke that having puppies is just trying to keep them alive 99% of the time. Trust me, when you have two, this only gets x10 worse.
Having a partner in Cameron helps SO much. When one dog is being out of control, we are able to separate them, and each take one. We split the responsibilities, the costs, and the time; making everything half the work. When one of us desperately needs a break, we are able to give that to each other. Not saying you need a partner, because girl you don’t need no man. BUT it does help to have a support system that you know you can rely on when you need it.
You need to think about the accommodations you currently make for your dog while you travel or are away. Are you still able to use the same ones when you have two dogs? Finley is my Emotional Support Animal, and because of that he is allowed to travel in the cabin of a plane with me. This means when I go home to Arizona or wherever else I’d like to travel to; I can easily bring him with me. Now that we have Sadie, our travel plans will change. Cam and I don’t travel together that often as he only gets a limited amount of time off. So, we knew that if I traveled, each one of us could take one dog.
If we both are traveling or are too busy to watch them, we will sign them up for day care/ boarding. This may be something else that you need to include in your costs. This also goes back to having that support system. We don’t have family in the area to watch them but that is something you may have the luxury of having! Just make sure they are willing to watch two dogs instead of just one!
Location
If you already have one dog, you are probably already in a home situation that is comfortable and makes your dog happy. But remember that a second dog takes up twice the amount of space. Like I said in my last post, I think a dog can live in an apartment as long as you are providing them with proper exercise throughout the day. Actually, it will help give your current dog exercise for them to have a playmate, but they will most definitely be a tornado that will never stop circling around your house and the smaller the space, the more annoying this could be.
My parents bought us a King size bed for my birthday, as we knew how much space Finn takes up in bed and that Sadie would take up even more. We were living like royalty at first, spread out like starfish. Now Sadie sleeps on top of my head and Finn at my feet. It once again feels like we are sleeping in a twin bed and we have no room. Obviously, you can decide to crate train if that is the better choice for you.
Think you have everything above covered and you’re prepared for your second dog? Great!! You are almost ready to cure your puppy fever. But first you need to make sure your original dog is as ready as you are!
Your First Pup
Before getting your second baby, you need to check and see how your first baby feels about the situation. I really wish this was something we could just ask them. I know we spent every day telling Finley that he was going to be getting a little sister soon and as soon as she got in the car with us, he was still like, “who da hek this.” It would be really nice if they could understand us, but since they can’t, we have to try and understand them.
Social Skills
The first thing you need to evaluate, is how your first pup does with other dogs. Are they extremely social? Do they love going to the dog park? Do they constantly try to befriend every dog they see? If your dog loves other dogs and constantly socializing, they will most likely love having a sibling. If your dog likes to hang back at the park and barks at every dog you pass on a walk, you may have some things to work on before getting your second dog.
Finley has always been extremely social and would spend 24 hours a day at the park if he was able to. It’s seriously like Disneyland to him. Like I said earlier, we worked on his socialization from a young age and this was also because we planned on getting a second dog. He knows how to play well with other dogs and submit to them and roll on his back if he’s in a bad situation. He is never aggressive or reactive towards other dogs (or humans). If your dog is aggressive or reactive, it doesn’t mean you can’t ever have another dog. I would highly suggest working with a trainer on those specific issues with the goal of getting your current dog ready for a sibling.
Age/ Energy Level
How old is your first pup? Are they still a puppy like Finley? Are they a senior and you’re craving that new puppy because it’s been so long? Whatever breed you may have or may be looking for; you need to make sure that all aspects of your two dogs match. Many behaviorists recommend waiting till your first dog is at least a year old before getting your second. This is because it can take that long for a dog to get adjusted to a household as well as properly bond with their owner. It is also recommended by many behaviorists to not get a second dog after your first is the age of three or above. This is because the first dog is now used to being an only child and may not adjust well. Obviously, we didn’t follow these recommendations.
Instead, I think it is just most important to KNOW your dog. Only you can know when your dog has adjusted to your household and has created a strong bond with you. Only you know if your dog would not enjoy having a sibling and would be pissed at you for bringing that thing home. This is why it is so important for us to pay attention to our dogs and their behavior because they constantly communicate their wants and needs with us.
When I was four and my parents brought home our Australian Shepherd mix Zoey. We already had a senior Dalmatian named Sierra. Sierra was not prepared for Zoey’s energy level and it really took a toll on her. Zoey would steal all her stuff, space, and our attention. Most likely, Sierra would have been happier to live out the rest of her days alone, without an energetic puppy bothering her.
This is why it is important to match energy levels. If you have an older dog or just a dog who is a couch potato, you do not want to bring in a four-month-old dog who needs two hours of exercise daily. You want to make sure that both dogs are on the same level in all ways. In that case, you may want to consider adopting an older dog around your current dogs age. Most animal shelters will allow you to do meet and greets so you can assure the dogs get along first.
The same thing applies the other way around. Finley is almost nine months old and is extremely high energy. We would not want to bring home an older dog that didn’t want to play with him often. You want to get a second dog to enrich your first dog’s life, not make it any worse. It would be extremely sad to watch your first dog live out their rest of their days unhappy about your choice.
Dominance
When it comes to dogs, dominance is a really big thing. When you are watching your dog socialize, you should pay attention to how they do with each sex. Are they better with boys or girls, or the same both ways? Some dogs really prefer one sex. There is research that having one of each sex can be better, however I once again just believe it depends on the individual dogs. I’ve had both two girl dogs and two boy dogs before, and neither were an issue. There won’t be an issue for you either unless your dog has an issue with a certain sex. Finley enjoys playing with both sexes equally so we knew it would not be an issue.
Does your dog growl when you take food away? If a dog takes their ball at the park, do they freak out? If your dog is experiencing any reactive or aggressive dominant behavior, this is something you will want to work on before getting your second dog.
Since the day we got Finley we practiced constantly taking his things away from him. He has never showed any sign of reactivity or aggression and this may be because of training we did but most likely just because we got extremely lucky. Sometimes those issues just pop up one day. Sometimes, they persist despite efforts as puppies. This is okay and another thing you can work with a trainer on.
Finn may not be too dominant, but he is just a meanie and possessive. Whenever Sadie has a toy, bone, or treat, he immediately tries to take it from her. It can be a toy he has not played with in months and suddenly he will decide it’s his favorite thing ever. Luckily Sadie doesn’t care what she’s chewing on so it’s easy to just swap something else in. But it is a constant revolving circle of passing things between them. I also hope this will help Sadie to not be possessive in the future because she has shared her things since the beginning.
Balance
Since having Sadie for almost a month now, we have seen that they balance each other out so perfectly. Even though he is quite crazy and social, he is still on the more shy and scared side when it comes to new things, or vacuum cleaners. Sadie is extremely confident and will try almost anything at the drop of a hat. She tries to jump off furniture and attack the vacuum with no fear at all. Finley is a snuggle bug that never leaves my side. He is down for cuddles at any time and his favorite place to lay is on my lap. Sadie is more independent. She likes to be held for only a second before she’s off again running around. If you have a more submissive dog, getting a more confident dog can also help bring out their confidence.
Not only do you have to balance personalities but also balance their actual sizes. It may not be the smartest to have a Great Dane and a chihuahua, but maybe that works for your family! My sister has a Golden Retriever and a Yorkie that are the best of friends. Just be mindful of how your dog is around dogs of other sizes if you choose to get a different breed.
We were warned by many about the older dog squishing the younger pup and causing broken bones. However, I was not prepared for Finley to constantly be trying to sit on top of Sadie. He thinks he’s actually five pounds and has absolutely no spatial awareness. We had to and still have to monitor their play at all times. However, I will say it is much better now that Sadie is almost 11 weeks old and double the size she was when we got her.
So? Do you think the whole family is ready for another? Do you think if your dog could understand you telling them you were going to bring home a new family member forever, they would be happy and excited?
Getting a second dog has doubled everything in our household. It has doubled the amount of money we spend at our vet appointments. It has doubled the amount of dirt I have to sweep off my floor every day. It has doubled the amount of fur that is now coated on all of my clothes and all of our furniture. It has doubled the number of tears I’ve had in frustration. The amount of bickering with Cam over dumb little things. It has doubled the number of chewed items throughout our house. But it has also doubled everything good about having a dog.
There is double the amount of wiggles to greet you when you walk through the door. Double the number of kisses given to you every day. Double the amount of the unconditional love they make you feel. Double the amount of snuggles you receive before bed. Having Sadie has greatly increased everything great in our lives. It makes everything that comes with having a second dog more than worth it. Watching the bond they have created so far, truly makes my heart melt. I know their bond and adventures shared will only increase from here and it is something I’m really looking forward to watching.
So, in my opinion, having two dogs IS better than one (if your family is ready). We have never for a second regretted our decision in getting Sadie and I don’t think Finny has either.
If you want to watch Finley and Sadie meet for the first time as well as their first days together, I uploaded a vlog on my YouTube channel! Thank you so much for reading! Please subscribe to our Newsletter to always stay up to date with the latest Blog Posts, products, sales, and more!!
Mags, Finley, and Sadie xx
