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 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.