Friday, May 21, 2010

Getting 2nd dog? Good idea or bad?

hi, i adpoted a 5 year old desexed male ridgeback about 3 months ago, the family who owned him, had him and another dog at the time. They got along really well. At the moment he is the only dog we own. I have been taking him to obedience training and he is generally good around other dogs and wants to play with them. I cant help but feel mean for letting him live alone - with that being said he is not neglected - we go for a drive to the beach every Friday and have lunch together - he goes for a swim and then we go for a long walk along the sand together. He goes to obedience school 2 times a week and also enjoys lots of car rides. He is an inside dog and has his own bed in my room. So i know he has human company. My other reason for thinking about getting a secend dog (a female puppy) is that i am really enjoying this whole obedience thing and would like to consider competitive obedience. i know i could go further with a dog trained at a young age. I wouldnt love either any less.
Answers:
There's no reason you shouldn't get one as long as you can handle the responsibility both dogs are going to be. Especially since the Ridgeback was already ok with another dog. Just make sure you introduce them properly and read up on bringing a puppy into your home when you already have an adult dog. Sometimes they do get a little offended and feel like they are getting the shaft for the pup.
If you have time to devote to both of their needs then sure, get another dog to add to your pack!
If you think you can handle two then go for it. As long as you can afford it and have enough time to spend with both then you are fine.
If you have the time, the space and the money for 2, have two..
It doesn't sound like you are being mean to your dog at all! It sounds like he has a great owner. If you think he would enjoy a friend, go ahead and get the other dog. You would like to have another dog, too. You can find another puppy on petfinder.com- good luck with competitive obedience.
I think you should get another dog. If your dog gets along well with others, then he will love another dog. I have two dogs (australian terrier and mixed breed) and they get along really well together, even though we got them about 5 months apart.
Congratulations on adopting the first dog and for going to obedience classes. Nothing wrong with owning just one dog if the dog is a family member as your dog seems to be. Obedience is great, isn't it? Dogs just love it and they become so much better and safer pets because of that. All my dogs are obedience trained and know at least 30 commands, one knows over 75.
Getting a second dog is an awesome idea, I have 3 dogs =D (a 11 year old, a 4 year old and a 1 year old) they keep each other company when no one is home. and they all play together. they are best friends, and I would Never have just one dog, they need company when their owners are at work and whatnot. Also, you COULD go further in obedience with a dog trained at a young age.
hope this helps, =D
Good Idea
Personally I would give this guy more time to settle in and feel part of your family. Three months is sort of a 'honeymoon' period... he would probably do fine with another dog but I think he deserves to embed himself into your family. Think about it being like adopting a child (not baby) - he has already been disassociated from his previous family for reasons he has no idea what are - he is accepting your family well but then bring in another child/baby and take much needed attention away from him at this point in time -- I am not saying don't eventually get another dog if you have the time and are capable of dealing with two dogs, but I would just give this guy a little more settle in time. Congrates on having him!! Sounds like he has found a great new family!!

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