So you want to bring home a second dog. I hate to be the fun police, but you’ll want to have a good think about if and when to get another dog. It can have a huge impact, good or bad, on the welfare of your current dog and your own happiness too. Have a read through this blog before making your final decision. 

Second dog considerations

A few things to consider before you decide to bring home another puppy or dog

• Have I got the time to train this new dog? Lack of time is the biggest obstacle most people face when it comes to training. This is even more important if you’re bringing home a puppy. 
• Have I got the physical space for another dog? This is particularly important if you’re looking at getting a large or giant breed. Big dogs literally need more room than small dogs! You’ll also want to consider whether you have the space to separate your dogs into different areas at times too. 
• Do I have a plan for if the dogs don’t get along? With good planning, preparation and management, most dogs can learn to live together peacefully. However, there’s no way to guarantee this. What will you do if your dog’s don’t get along? 

Resource Guarding

If your first dog is an easy going, confident dog who gets on with most other dogs and doesn’t have any major behavioural issues, the chances are that bringing home another dog will be fine. However, if your first dog has a few issues, you might want to think twice about bringing home another dog soon. If your dog shows signs of resource guarding, particularly from other dogs, think very carefully about how you’ll manage this. 

Resource guarding refers to when your dog has something of value to them in their possession and they perceive a potential threat. If you’ve ever noticed your dog happily playing with a ball in the park and then start growling when another dog walks over, they are resource guarding that ball. You can help your dog overcome their resource guarding with force free, reward based training. I would strongly advise seeking help with this issue before considering bringing home a second dog. 

Separation Anxiety

If your first dog struggles to be left alone, don’t get another dog in the hope it’ll cure your first dog’s separation anxiety. This rarely helps and is more likely to lead to you having two dogs with separation anxiety. Instead, work with a qualified behaviourist on your dog’s feelings about being left alone before adding another dog to your household. Your dog’s separation anxiety is triggered by being left by you specifically. The presence of another dog is unlikely to ease that. 

Setting your dogs up for a happy life together

Here’s a few things to think about when deciding what kind of second dog you bring home.

• Does my first dog have a preference in the sex or breed of their playmates? Your dog is most likely to live happily with another dog if they already get along with that ‘type’ of dog. 
• If getting a puppy: Am I prepared for the struggles of raising a puppy, including toilet training, biting/teething and socialisation? Will my first dog cope with a bouncy, annoying young pup?!
• If getting a rescue: Am I prepared for the potential issues a rescue dog may have? 
• Do I have the time, energy and resources to walk, train and care for these dogs separately?

I would personally love to have another dog. Our dog Duke is fine with most dogs we meet and I think he could learn to live happily with a female fellow Spaniel or Collie, his favourite breeds. However, he does resource guard high value items from other dogs so that could potentially be a big problem. Duke also struggles with separation anxiety. Also, I am busy enough with a toddler and a business to run, never mind adding another dog to the mix! 

What next?

• Looking for help with your dog? Contact us to arrange in person or online training.
• Read more blog posts here.
• Perfect Recall: Teaching your dog to come back when called every time. Our guide is free to download when you join our email list- sign up here.