1 dog vs 2

[Lindsey]

I tried to get some input on YT but didn't get many replies so I thought I'd try here since some of you have two dogs!

Scott and I have been thinking about getting Layla a little companion. I love her so much and I try to spend as much time with her as possible, but I do work all day and sometimes at night she'll just lay there and not want anything to do with me! Sure we'll play for awhile but then she'll just go lay down by herself. Maybe a sibling would make her more active and maybe she'd be a happier dog...

On the other hand, it would be harder to go to the dog park unless Scott and I both go together so we could each keep an eye on one dog. Traveling would be a lot harder with two dogs in the car instead of just one. When I go away and can't take Layla, I'd need to find someone who would watch both instead of just one. If there was an accident on the floor, I wouldn't know which dog did it, so training might be harder...

I have found some cute little dogs in the shelter, and I've also been in contact with a girl who wants to rehome her 9 month old little girl yorkie. I would prefer a girl dog I think just because it wouldn't be lifting it's leg to pee, and I depend on pee pads! I know there's ways to get around it but I just feel it would be easier with a girl. I read an article yesterday, however, which said never to get two dogs of the same gender because they may fight to the death :eek: Especially if they're females.

Any input? It's not something I just want to jump into without REALLY weighing all the options. I would love to put Layla in doggy daycare so she'd be socialized all day but I just can't afford that! For now we're making a point to take at least an hour straight every evening to run around and play with her and give her 100% attention, no matter how tired we are. But some people have also told me they "guarantee" I will have a much happier dog if she had another dog to play with all day.

[paula1961]

Lindsey, this is a big decision for you. Very good that you are weighing the pros and cons of two. I happen to have three. They do keep each other company. They run and play together. I personally would rather have more than one but I don't work. I'm with them most all of the time. In your case, if it were me, I would probably go for a 2nd. Does Layla do well with other dogs? Is she spayed? If she is, I don't see why you couldn't get a female. I have two females, one is spayed and one isn't. They don't fight, they play fight, but have never tried to hurt one another. I also have a male. He is very sweet, he thinks he is the ruler of the roost! Mine all get along fine. About the traveling, I don't have any advice about that.. we take ours everywhere with us, I've never had a problem, the way I feel about is if a hotel doesn't welcome my dogs then I'm not welcome there either. Of course most of the year we travel with a camper so I don't have to worry about that but there have been times when I have dealt with staying in a hotel. Good luck and let us know what you decide.

[Blueyes]

We have a great dane and a mi-ki...170 pounds and almost 5 pounds, but they still keep each other company! There are a lot of pros and cons, it may not be an easy decision. Remember that you will have twice the poop and pee to deal with. But you will also have twice the love and Layla will have company. But there is the off chance that she won't want to share her mommy. You may just have to get Layla a dog and see how it works out;) I know getting a dog is a big commitment, but it's sometimes hard to have all of the answers beforehand. Good luck kiddo!

[Lindsey]

Thanks for your replies! Layla is okay with other dogs. She's not really playful, but then again most of the dogs we see are big dogs. It took her 8 weeks of puppy classes to finally run around with the other puppies instead of just being excited to see all the people! Actually, even at the dog park she is more excited to get attention from the people than from the dogs. I guess I feel like she's missing out on being a dog, it's almost like she doesn't know how.

As for traveling, Scott and I both drive cars, and Layla takes up enough room herself. Another dog might be a little crowded (since we usually also need to put luggage in the back seat). When we stay over with friends or relatives, I know one dog is okay but two might be a lot to handle.

I guess the more I think about it, the more feasible it is to just have Layla for now. I really like the thought of having another dog, with another personality, and giving Layla the chance to have a playmate all the time... but it might be a lot to handle. Layla has done pretty well getting used to the condo and not barking too much at the noise. If I brought in another dog that DOES bark a lot, it will just set Layla off and I will have two barking dogs. If I got a complaint, I would lose my privilege to own a pet in the building.

[paula1961]

The barking is something I didn't even think to mention. When we just had Halle, she never barked and then when we got Brutis..... well let's just say he is quite the little barker. Now he starts and all three of them go off. It can be quite aggravating at times but I could never part with any of them:)

[Lindsey]

I know Layla would go crazy if there was another barking dog. When we visit my parents, their dog will bark outside at anything... a bird in a tree, a person walking by, the neighbors coming home... and as soon as Layla hears that bark she is running to the front door, the back door, around the whole house just barking her head off and she doesn't even know why!

It might be best for Scott and I to just wait until we move into a HOUSE and don't have to worry about the people under us or down the hall being upset about noise :( However, by that time Layla will be at least 9 years old and probably not so open to having a puppy in our lives!

[DianaB]

It's been quite an experience for us with getting another dog. Jazzi is so competitive with Reuger. Just going out the door is a big deal and she'll turn and bite him going out. If I would have known her nature before I bought her I wouldn't have gotten her. It just seems like Reuger isn't my baby any more. He'd rather not be on my lap when she's any where around. She's constantly challenging him. I wish that Reuger would just go ahead and let her have it and show her that he is the boss then all of this nonsense would quit, but he's too nice to do that. I just keep thinking ........one of these days!!! BTW-They do bark a lot more together.

[Lindsey]

Thanks for your view Diana... It might be selfish but one of my biggest worries is that Layla won't want her "mommy time" anymore!
I did ask the girl with the yorkie if she would consider giving us a trial period if we were serious about taking her, so I could judge how well the dogs would accept each other. She hasn't replied. From the other questions I've asked, her dog sounds like an impulse buy. She doesn't know the breeder's name, just someone she found on a classified ad... the woman brought the dog into the city so she could look at her and she ended up taking her right then. Now a few months later she decides she doesn't have time for a dog and wants to sell her :( Poor little girl, I wish I could give her a good home, but if I can't have her I hope somebody will.

[Gina]

Lindsey thats a tough call. I think of getting another dog for Gucci too. But Gucci is afraid of other dogs when they are around her she runs to me and stays on my lap yeah a mamas girl. lol I work but with my job I can come home during the day and check on her, besides my son is home too. I would love to give her a playmate but I don't know if she would handle it well. So as of now I opted not to..

It is a hard decision that you need to think through.

[gja1000]

We had one boy and then we got another - we wanted a girl, but didn't have that option when we got the second boy. One is neutered and one is not. They play together, but don't fight at all. And actually, as they get older - one is 4 and one is 3 - they don't play nearly as much. Maybe once or twice a day, they play for a little while, and the rest of the time they are sleeping or sitting on our laps. I think they do keep each other company - but they don't really play all that much. However, when one barks the other starts up. They are not big barkers, but they definitely do feed off each other's barking. It is harder traveling with two, but I wouldn't want it any other way - for us. I'm thinking that I'd advise you to wait - but it's a call you'll have to make.

[Janet]

I have 5 Yorkies and 1 Golden Retriever. They all get along, but WOW...the noise is deafening. If I knew then what I know now.....one would have been enough....lol. I love them all and they all have such different personalities, but I think one would have been so much easier and a lot less work.

I'd really think about it.

[Lindsey]

Well, last night I got an email from the shelter saying the dog I liked has been adopted. The girl with the yorkie stopped replying after I asked if a trial period would be possible. Scott and I talked and decided everything happens for a reason... maybe we'll just stick with Layla for now. We'll make more of an effort to keep her entertained and get her out of the house and socialized with other dogs (although it's so hard in the winter when it's so cold!). A new friend of mine is having a doggy day at her house on Sunday so I'm going to take Layla over there. She has a little shih tzu so I'm hoping they'll get along :)

[Janet]

Aww..that sounds like a nice friend to have a 'doggie day' to help keep her furbaby entertained.

[Lindsey]

And even nicer to be providing food and snacks to keep my tummy entertained :D

Maybe I'll meet some nice dog owners there and we could take turns hosting doggie days. It's really tough to get outside in the winter for socializing here.

[paula1961]

That sounds like alot of fun! Indoor doggie parties! I'm sure you and Layla will have a good time. Post pics if you can after doggie day.

[Lindsey]

The doggie day confirmed that Layla would be happier as an only child! She was pretty scared when we got there but I would NOT let her on my lap or let her hide behind me. There were 4 other dogs there and they weren't mean or anything, just being regular dogs and trying to sniff at her. She needs to learn to get out there and deal with other dogs on her own! So I kept pushing her out and eventually she ventured out on her own, although she didn't play or really try to be around the other dogs at all. After we ate, we went into the back yard and the few dogs that were left ran around... and Layla even ran a little! But she was really happy to go home and relax on her own.
It turns out my friend does this every month! So I will definitely go back again for another.

[DianaB]

Awwww, poor little Layla. It sounds like you've made a good choice to wait for another puppy. I'm sure that the little get-togethers will help her a lot. You're a good Mommy, Lindsey!!!

[Lindsey]

Thank you Diana! I really try!

[judy]

That's a nice idea Linds! A doggie day once each month sounds like that's enough for Layla to handle right now. After a while, if she becomes more social, you can think again about getting another dog. Or, not....

I have the same problem as you do Diana. Annie has taken over ownership of me, and Max has been very tentative about comng to me. Females are usually more dominant than males anyway. He is my first furbaby though, and I realized just a few weeks ago that Annie is old enough now for me to push her away so that Max can come to me. It's slowly working. I don't know if he will ever feel as comfortable coming to me as he used to. He will not fight back with her. I realized that I can train her not to be so bossy when it comes to me. She is over a year old already, so I don't feel bad about pushing her out of the way. .

He dominates the food, and I don't reallty know what else. She follows him around wherever they are though. I think they have pretty much everything else worked out. He seems not to want to share the pee pads, and if I don't change them every other day, he goes on the floor near them. I have washable pads, so it's not really a problem.

Maybe little Jazzi needs a little talking to by Mama! Is she old enough yet?

[Blueyes]

Awww... Layla just wants her mommy:)

[DianaB]

........Maybe little Jazzi needs a little talking to by Mama! Is she old enough yet?

Judy, I've tried so many things with Jazzi. When we first got her I had her kennel sitting on top of Reuger's but I moved it on the floor when I realized how badly she treated him. There is some animal behavior about the boss being the highest.

If I let her outside first Jazzi will turn and wait for Reuger to come out and then she nips at him as he comes out so he's gotten where he won't go out if she's already out there. Then....if I hold Jazzi back so Reuger goes out first she whines and fusses while I hold her back and still nips at him when she runs by but not as bad as when she's already outside. I have tried scolding and saying no.

She likes to use her teeth. She's quick to come around when you first touch her and put her teeth on you like to say "I could have bit you!!" She doesn't bite because she does know better but she will sure make you think that she's going to. The kids are real wary of her even though they've never been bitten. She's very loving and cuddly with me and anyone that will make the effort to get to know her but she sure has me stumped on what to do to help poor Reuger. I have seen him get on to her when she tries to take his chewy thing so she does respect him at times.

At least it's made Glen appreciate Reuger a lot more!!!!! I keep telling myself that she's still a puppy (she'll be a year old in December) so maybe as she matures things will get better.......anyway I sure hope so.

I should mention that she's not ALL bad. We do enjoy having her even though she's difficult.