Talk me out of getting a second dog.

[okeydokey]

Saw an ad on Craig's list for a 3 month old Boykin Spaniel. So cute and my DH has always loved hunting or field breed dogs. We have an 11 month old mixed breed so we need another dog like we need a hole in the head, but it's so tempting. I'm not sure where we would put another puppy crate in the house or how my current dog would like it. He's so beautiful though.

 

[tonilea]

Twice as much flea and heartworm meds. Double the vet bills. Multiply the "stuff destroyed by puppy". Twice as much work. More doggie doo in the yard. More dog food.

On the other hand, twice the love.

 

[tink_lover]

We got the second dog three years ago. DH has said never again will we have two dogs at same time. I (kinda) agree. It is a lot of work and double the expense.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

I need the same talk, but I'm looking at the other end of the spectrum. I've decided that it would be nice to give an old guy or gal a place to end their life. Today I'm in love with this one -- isn't he cute?

http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/16713633

My logic is that he has to be calmer than my current dog (after all he's 91 in dog years), and that I'm already going on walks with dog #1, so what's one more? I can always carry him if he can't keep up.

So, I need someone to let me know that old dogs are probably really expensive, and that I barely can manage the 1 kid and 1 dog I have now.

Sorry, that wasn't much help was it? I know I couldn't do 2 puppies (or 1, first dog was an adult when I rescued him).

 

[EeyoreEma]

I can't talk you out of it!! I'd be right there with you. We currently have 2, just lost our sweet little 5 year old yorkie last week due to renal failure. We managed 3, along with 2 kids, and I'd do it all over again. I still miss my girl though, so 2 it will be for a long while.

She sounds like a beauty though - and you know she'd give you tons of love!!

 

[Pakey]

I have 2 hairless Chinese cresteds. They don't like each other. They don't fight but it's obvious that both would be happier as an only dog.

 

[Jingle]

He sure is cute!! I'm not going to talk you out of it.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

We have two bulldogs. I won't talk you out of two, I think they are great together. I don't find it to be much more work, if I have to walk one, might as well walk two. Sure it's twice the amount of food and vet bills, but if you have the money then that's not a good reason not to. I can't imagine them not being together, I think they are much happier that it's the two of them.

 

[JerseyJanice]

Vacuuming, drool, vacuuming, walking him, vacuuming, double vet bills, vacuuming, double kennel or pet sitting fees if you go away, vacuuming, double dog food and treats, vacuuming.

Don't do it! You'll spend your life vacuuming.

 

[dissybroad]

Vacuuming, drool, vacuuming, walking him, vacuuming, double vet bills, vacuuming, double kennel or pet sitting fees if you go away, vacuuming, double dog food and treats, vacuuming.

Don't do it! You'll spend your life vacuuming.

Don't do it!

 

[MichelleVW]

We got the second dog three years ago. DH has said never again will we have two dogs at same time. I (kinda) agree. It is a lot of work and double the expense.

I disagree, I've got 3 and while I wish I only had two, I would never go back to just one. My dogs all love to play with each other and they keep each other company when we are gone. Yes, it just cost a fortune to kennel them when we went to Disney last week, but I wouldn't trade any of them for the world.

 

[sunlver]

It would be hard for me to talk you out of it, seeing I own 3 dogs and always have a foster dog with us. We keep the fosters until they get adopted. I volunteer with a an all breeds doggie rescue group.

Anyways, if money is a problem, then certainly a 2nd dog would not be a good idea. BUT..if money is not a problem, I would say go for it.

For all you people who dont think you can handle a 2nd dog, have you ever considered fostering dogs for rescue groups? I can tell you the many doggie rescue groups are in NEED of foster families. With our group, all expenses are paid, dog food, crates if needed.vet bills..basically we supply the love and the house

Many of us have kept one of our fosters, like me.. It is hard to see them go to their new forever families, but such a great feeling to have helped a dog who might normally be euthanized, given a 2nd chance at life.
Plus, then u can see what it is like to have 2 dogs around and how much more work, how little work it is..
Just a suggestion

 

[ElizK]

I disagree, I've got 3 and while I wish I only had two, I would never go back to just one. My dogs all love to play with each other and they keep each other company when we are gone. Yes, it just cost a fortune to kennel them when we went to Disney last week, but I wouldn't trade any of them for the world.

I'm with MichelleVW on this one. I also have 3 (we call the 3rd one my jetlag dog --- the day after the 10 hour flight from Germany I saw her and had to have her.... I would have had better judgement on more sleep! ). We'll always have two dogs, but not ever have 3 again. The younger two enjoy playing together.

In some ways you can relate a 2nd dog to a 2nd child. Is it more work and more expense? Of course! But it can be more fun and more love, too!

 

[kristilew]

I would never go back to an only dog! My two keep each other company, give each other exercise, and play constantly. The older one, who was housebroken and "trained" by the one who was senior when we got her, has in turn housebroken and trained the current young one. It's a fabulous system. (of course, she has taught him a few things I'd rather she hadn't, like how to dig for moles....) I find two much less work b/c they are looking to each other instead of to me for their "pack" needs.

OTOH, Boykins are highly driven dogs. Some have the spaniel rage issues. They require serious attention and training, for a long time. So be sure about it before getting one.

 

[paintnolish]

We have two. It's not that much more work. You're already used to taking care of a dog. It is much more difficult to go to one from none! GL!

 

[design_mom]

We got a second dog in March, after much thought. Overall, it's been a wild success. The two like each other (a good personality fit was important) and they entertain each other a lot.

We adopted an adult dog as our second dog though, I'm not sure I'd want two puppies at the same time like you're considering. And there's is a lot of vacuuming...and they eat a lot. But, our second dog is the sweetest thing EVER. Wouldn't trade him for the world!

 

[JessicaR]

I have two and they are big to boot! 180 lb dogs - To me I honestly dont fing a great difference from having just the one to having both. My vet lets be bring them in together and charges one visit. The food is double but it isnt a huge difference and they keep each other company. PLUS more than one person at a time get get some loving! Their like potato chips, cant have just one.

I've been ready for a third but my guy is too old now to add a puppy to the mix.

 

[DMickey28]

Can't help you ... picking up our second puppy next week! I need another dog like I need a hole in the head too, especially with a 3 month old, a 3 year old, a new house and a traveling DH. We have a 8-10 yr old hound mix and think the pup will be a great addition to our house.

Yes, extra vet bills, extra meds etc ... but honestly we are getting pet insurance for her so hopefully out of pocket expenses will be kept at a min. if accidents do happen, the yearly vet visits aren't that crazy. I can afford to double the $200/year visit we just had for the hound yesterday. Pet meds and flea stuff ... yeah that's $$ as is the food but oh well .... we can't wait.

 

[DMickey28]

I wanted to add ... we specifically picked a breed that would fit into our low key young family. We are getting a Newfoundland puppy. Given that once she is out of the puppy years she is very low energy and a bundle of love .... we have a 3 year old and he is so excited to have someone to play with. The hound doesn't really move all day off his bed ... he spent the summer last year with my mom's beagle and had so much more energy, I think the pup will put some springe back in his step!!

 

[Nomi]

You know we're all enablers here! Though I say, ditch the second dog idea and get a goldfish or two in a nice sized aquarium! They live just as long, if not longer, and without the barking, small, vet bills, accidents on the rug and fur on your couch! For the price of a dog you could get some nice, healthy show quality goldies! Plus a big aquarium. Plus a big filter.