to get a secind dig...would you?

[Midcenturymater]

Thank you...some of you on here helped us figure out the cost of one dog. We got a little dog a month ago and so far so good. Low cost so far due to size....I reckon food is about $15 a month.

Then an animal living friend said it was most humane to have 2 dogs So they have companionship. Makes sense.
So our costs would double to $30 for food each month.
We are not doing insurance. We accept that if something awful happened health wise....we would not be forking out thousands. I know some dog owners are prepared to do this. We are not.
Annual rabies is $6 per dog.
Other shots around 30 each dog.

We don't ever fly on hols so dogs will always come with us.
No grooming fees...short haired dog.
I return to work later this year. I will be out of house 8.30 to 3.30 3 or even 5 days a,week.

But there is still the unexpected vet bills....these were rare when I had a dog as a kid though.
 People with a second dog...how is it? Do you feel your dog benefits from that companionship?
Clearly having a pet is a luxury.
But already we are finding it life enhancing. We are accessing our local parks more and just enjoying having this little dog around.

Part of me thinks we have a good thing going with this one dog...why mess with it?
 The other part thinks two won't be much more cost but will bring more happiness to the dog which will bring happiness to us))

Any thoughts 2 dog people?

[katsiki]

It is helpful to have a second dog.  We have 2 small dogs and they always play and keep each other occupied when we're busy.  Incremental cost is not much on food if the second dog is not a big dog.

[onlykelsey]

Is your dog around other dogs a lot?  When my dog was younger I think he would have loved a playmate.  When I dogsit for other people or take my dog with me to their houses, my dog is friendly enough with the other dogs, but I'm not sure he really gets anything out of it, and puppies and aggressive dogs stress him out. 

I'd say you should look in to how your dog responses to other dogs and think about whether it'd actually be a positive experience for him.  Also keep in mind that it's easy enough to drop your dog off at a neighbor's place for a night if you're traveling, but two dogs is a lot more work (and hotel rooms are also a lot harder to find).

[Larabeth]

I don't recommend it.  I have a dog and my fiancee ended up adopting her brother about eight months later.

Going from one dog to two was a surprising amount of hassle. 

Granted, if both dogs had been as calm and obedient as my dog, maybe it wouldn't be so bad.  But you can't guarantee that. 

Also, they are both large so that may have a lot to do with it.

Financially, there isn't a lot of difference but if I could go back and encourage him not to get a second dog, I would.  It's a lot of added work that makes it hard to enjoy them.

[Midcenturymater]

Thanks. Really good points. Our days of hotels are over. We camp. We hope to do a swap with a friend for the one big three week trip to Europe we will do maybe in a couple of years. Our dog is 12 weeks....so I could get another rescue pup or a fully grown dog...but yes I will introduce them and see how our dog reacts. She has only been around pups so far as last round of shots still to come.

I just feel bad for the dog
 My husband Said..this dog is lonely..look at her eyes.
That made me feel it's cruel to just do what us most convenient for us. I guess one dog is more convenient and cheaper for sure. We are looking at dogs under 14 pounds so small.

[SeanMC]

Depends on the dog. Some would like company, some would hate it.

If you have only had your dog for 1 month, you don't know them well enough to know if another dog would be welcome or stressing for your dog.

7 hours is a long time to be gone in the middle of the day, whether you have one or two dogs. Many little dogs will need a mid-day opportunity for bathroom. If you don't have a plan that is fair for your 1 dog, then getting a second dog who also would need something you are not providing is not fair.

Also, independent of costs, taking care of 2 dogs is typically harder than 2x having 1 dog. People think it will be easier, and that's not true.
 

[Midcenturymater]

Thanks larabeth. Yes I can imagine that.
I see this dog as our one dog experience. Our kids will be at college when she passes we hope. Then we will be close to retiring....possibly travelling so don't anticipate having a dog then.


Maybe I should dog sit and get paid by other people and let my dog have companions that way with none of the long term responsibility.

[Midcenturymater]

Thanks Sean. I'm listening.
My lovely neighbour has a small dog and s willing to pop next door and let dog out...but she is also per pad trained. Honestly she does not love going out ...she is like a house cat...but it is early days yet.
Ok dog just need on my 4 year olds picture....tears....urine. yeah do I want double whammy of this really? Thanks for making me consider things I had not thought of....

[SeanMC]

Thanks. Really good points. Our days of hotels are over. We camp. We hope to do a swap with a friend for the one big three week trip to Europe we will do maybe in a couple of years. Our dog is 12 weeks....so I could get another rescue pup or a fully grown dog...but yes I will introduce them and see how our dog reacts. She has only been around pups so far as last round of shots still to come.

I just feel bad for the dog
 My husband Said..this dog is lonely..look at her eyes.
That made me feel it's cruel to just do what us most convenient for us. I guess one dog is more convenient and cheaper for sure. We are looking at dogs under 14 pounds so small.

Just read this. You have a puppy! It's ok if your pup has only been around other puppies. Many adult dogs find puppies obnoxious and annoying (because they are). Reputable rescue groups and shelters aren't going to adopt a dog into a home that just added a puppy either, because they would be concerned that you do not have time to properly care for both dogs and get them settled/adjusted in the new home. Remember that cute puppies turn into teenagers very quickly & you may have your hands full with just one.

Your puppy should not be lonely because you should be getting your puppy introduced to many different safe people and dogs (socialization) as possible. This is a critical time for the puppy to learn and be exposed to novel stimuli. This is when good behaviors and manners are established. Dogs that are under-socialized can develop many fears and behavioral problems.

You mention other pups - if you are going to puppy kindergarten or something like that, great! If not, you should look into it. It's a safe and healthy way for puppies to learn how to interact with other dogs.

If your puppy is spending too much time alone, then adding another dog to the home won't fix the core problem.

Also - enjoy the puppy stage! It goes by fast. Take lots of pictures.

[Midcenturymater]

Thanks Sean
 Yes I take her to puppy playtime. We visit another lively dog but they just look at each other through a screen as she is ten days off all her shots being done.
 I start puppy training with humane society in March.
Yes I reckon I am in the new born baby stage..all misty eyed. I don't even mind clearing her slimy little dumps up. She looks like a baby Fox and we already love having her in the family.
Good points Sean. I will carry on the puppy meet ups twice a week.

[GuitarStv]

The more dogs you get together, the more on the ball you have to be with training.  One dog is usually pretty malleable, but when you add a second dog they seem to start to think and act a bit differently . . . more aggressively.  Some dogs (especially older ones) don't really like change and don't ever really warm up to a new dog the way you would expect.

[FLA]

I've always had shelter dogs or dogs given up by someone I knew, dogs that needed a home.  For a while, I was gone 8 hrs a day, home for a quick check in at lunch, and felt horribly guilty.  My vet said, don't, you made a home for a dog who may never have had one and if you leave a dog to it's own devices, put a web cam on him while you are at work, they sleep most of the time. Then I had a job that part of the day I worked from home so that was a non-issue. 

I've always had 2 dogs since the 90s but it was more because I came upon a hard luck case than worry that the first dog needed a companion. None of my dogs have been best buds who play all day.  They interact with each other a bit, play a bit but if the other dog was gone, they'd be fine. 

I don't know why people think it doesn't cost that much more.  A vet physical, shots, heart worm test runs around $250-$300 a yr here.  So that doubles with 2 dogs.  Everything doubles in cost. 

[Midcenturymater]

Good point guitar. I suppose I feel like we have a window now whilst she us small. 12 weeks. I don't want to change our minds and have a dog set in its lonely ways.

Yes two dogs may be too much with a 6 and 3 year old too. I just need to socialise our dog regularly.

[Midcenturymater]

True Fla. No heart worm to worry about in Ca. Shots are like $12 or $20. Rabies only $6 here. Where do you live? Maybe we have lots of vets here or something.

[katsiki]

Costs will vary by location.  We just did annuals last week and it was $125 per dog.

[Larabeth]

Another idea that I definitely encourage is considering fostering.  Usually rescue organizations will pay for all the vetting and it helps your pup learn to handle several different situations.

I did this and looooooved it.  Elsa loooooved it.  I only had one foster that was too aggressive to be around her much, and even then I was able to work around that without much trouble.

[Midcenturymater]

Yes Lara. Our dog came from a rescue but via a foster briefly so as soon as she has had her shots we are open to fostering. Maybe the way forward the more I think about it. Gosh 125 sounds high. I will check with vet what our annual shots will be. I wonder which ones they suggest every year. Rabies is every three years after 2 I think.

[LeRainDrop]

I would not get a secind dig ;-)  Actually, I am a big proponent of the philosophy to get pets in pairs, so that they have an animal sibling/friend to bond with and entertain each other.  I have two cats right now and, when ready, will get two dogs.

[Molzy]

We have two dogs, adopted about 9 months apart. We love them both, but having two is more work for sure, and makes travel a lot more difficult (it's easier to ask someone if you can bring one dog with, but two is a lot, though ours are bigger at about 40 lbs).

They tolerate one another, and play some, but I think they'd both be fine as only dogs. We are gone for 8-10 hours a day, and so it's nice that they have each other, but I think they just sleep regardless. They get jealous of each other, and fight for our attention. Training is a lot more difficult with two too. I would recommend waiting, since yours is a puppy, and bonding more with it. You can always add a second dog down the road, but right now you can focus all your time and energy on him, get him socialized and trained. I've heard that you shouldn't adopt two puppies at the same one because they'll bond with each other rather than you (don't know if this is true or not).

[Midcenturymater]

Thanks raindrop and molzy. Lots more things I had not considered.

You have all convinced me. Sticking with one. Will just give her more social opportunities once she is through her shots. We have the most amazing dog park 2 miles down the road so she will get to mingle daily with other dogs as she will get walked there twice a day.

I reckon my husband was projecting onto the dog.
I just need to stop looking at the photos on the dog shelter sites. It's like a dating site where every being looks really appealing. Quite lonely. And very adoptable.

We have a huge mortgage. I am due back to work soon and one small dog is probably what we can cope with, with young kids too.

I just got over excited at the thought of two dogs having fun and adventures together. It will just be double the work.

[onlykelsey]

I think just one dog is the answer for now, but I would definitely look in to fostering or dogsitting.

[LeRainDrop]

I just need to stop looking at the photos on the dog shelter sites. It's like a dating site where every being looks really appealing. Quite lonely. And very adoptable.

Haha, tell me about it!  I do a lot of volunteer work for my local humane society, so whenever I go over there, I can't help but visit the puppies and cats.  I want to adopt them all!

[Larabeth]

I just need to stop looking at the photos on the dog shelter sites. It's like a dating site where every being looks really appealing. Quite lonely. And very adoptable.

Haha, tell me about it!  I do a lot of volunteer work for my local humane society, so whenever I go over there, I can't help but visit the puppies and cats.  I want to adopt them all!

SO much this!!!  If I won the lottery (I don't play, but you know, everyone has that one fantasy, hahaha), I would have a farm with ALL THE DOGS.

[muckety_muck]

Our vet costs are $300 annually for one dog (sometimes allergy meds/shampoo tack on another $50ish). Dog also has prescription dog food after an episode of accidentally eating cat food (visiting a friends house) sent her to the animal ER and now has gastro issues. That runs another $200ish a year. Grooming, another $300ish a year. If you have a dog that sheds, factor in the additional time spent vacuuming/sweeping etc.

Some dogs just won't get along. Some dogs will develop more medical issues as they get older. ($$$) It just depends.

we have always had just one dog (yes she does seem lonely sometimes, but the extra hassle of having a 2nd one was just not enticing) and will not get another to replace this one once she passes.

Wait a year or so with the current new dog before you add another one. Time can change perspective.

Good luck!

[Midcenturymater]

More good advice. Wow is cat food really that devastating for dogs. I did not know that. Just found out about grapes being really bad.

Are there some vet bills I don't know about. Annual shots run at $15 times 2 us $6 for rabies here.
Is that because our dog is small maybe?

Just went to park and it was hard managing the pup and the 4 year old who wanted help on the climbing frame...didn't want to take dog on play area for obvious,reasons.

2 would be too much.
We picked a non shredder...so far....but kitchen floor is looking filthy more quickly than before.

This makes me reflect how much you need to think things through rather than just make snap decisions.
We will stick with the one dog.

Fostering and dog sitting on top once she is older.