5 Things to Consider When Adopting a Second Dog
Thinking about adopting a second dog? Consider these questions in your decision making process. Keep in mind, this list is not exhaustive, but are great jumping off points when thinking about making a long term commitment of adopting another dog. This list is not meant to discourage adopting a second or third or fourth dog! In fact, many dogs thrive in homes with other dogs. Simply put: consider your resident dog(s) wants and needs before adopting another dog. Your first dog’s happiness is paramount.
1. Can I afford two dogs?
Two dogs means double the love, but also double the vet bills, double the dog food, and double the matching holiday jammies.
This seems like a no brainer, but it should be a primary consideration. Dogs are expensive and emergency vet bills are painful on everyone’s wallet. If a $500 wellness visit at the vet is a financial burden, try fostering for a shelter/rescue or dog sitting to get your dog duo fix!
2. Is my dog at a good age to adopt a second dog?
We recommend waiting at least 9 months to a year after adopting a dog to add to your crew. It’s important to get to know and focus on the needs of your current dog before adding another furry family member. Decompression, training, and creating a routine that meets a dog’s individual needs takes time.
As far as the age of a second dog, look for one within 3-4 years of your first dog’s age. It’s not uncommon for puppies to be returned because they overwhelm the older/senior dog in the home. Also, we often receive applications from people who are looking to adopt two puppies at the same time in the hopes that they will entertain each other. It is an enormous time and financial commitment to adopt one puppy. Doubling the vet bills, socialization, and training is an enormous challenge for the majority of adopters.
The sweet spot for adding a second dog to your home is often between 1 and 5 years after adopting your first dog.
3. What is my dog’s energy level/play style?
Consider your dog’s wants and needs when adopting a second dog. If they are a couch potato, will they be annoyed by an active/playful dog or puppy? If your dog is higher energy, will they drive a calm dog nuts? Will adopting another high energy dog just double the chaos?
Well matched energy levels and play styles are important when finding a dog who is the right fit for your family. Some shelters and rescues host dog meetings to see how your dog interacts with a prospective adoptee, but keep in mind that dog meetings are just a snapshot of how two dogs interact.
Do not adopt another dog to “socialize” your dog or “help” your dog with separation anxiety. If your dog is awkward, aggressive with, or fearful of other dogs, or has separation anxiety, we recommend working with a certified positive reinforcement dog trainer first on those concerns before exploring the idea of adopting a second dog.
4. Would my dog enjoy sharing their home, people, and toys with another dog?
Bringing another dog into your home is different than bringing your dog to the dog park. While some dogs enjoy socializing in a neutral setting, going for an afternoon walk with another four legged friend, or hosting the occasional play date, sharing their home might not be their cup of tea. After all, home is filled with valuable resources: their food, toys, dog bed, and of course, you!
If you are considering adopting a second dog but have never had a multi-dog household, try fostering or dog sitting! This is a great way to trial how your dog would do with a full time friend, and test if you are able to juggle the needs of two furry family members.
5. How do I plan to introduce, manage, and integrate a new dog?
Introducing two dogs takes time. We recommend consulting with a positive reinforcement dog trainer to make a plan for your specific dogs, house set up, and preferences as a first step. In addition, a dog rescue/shelter should provide instructions on how to introduce two dogs. This may include, but is not limited to, parallel walks, keeping leashes on inside the house, and lots of treats.
Utilize management with baby gates, exercise pens, and crates when feeding, giving them enrichment activities, or high value treats (bully sticks, pig ears, you know… the stinky stuff!). Never leave your dogs unsupervised together, especially around toys and food. Even the most even tempered dogs have their limits about sharing! After all, they should be able to fully enjoy their special snacks without worrying about who might try to swipe them.
Lastly, take time to establish a new, consistent, realistic routine. Sorting out the needs of each dog can be tricky, so put some thought into what will help the entire household be successful. A second dog means a second, and sometimes different set of needs for exercise or enrichment. It also means more of your free time will be occupied with walks, play, mental stimulation, and of course cuddles! Walks may look a little different—learning how to handle two leashes, or only going on walks with a friend/partner/roommate may be necessary, or maybe individual walks are the best option.
And finally, is there enough room on the couch for two dogs? (Okay, this makes 6).
Adopting a second, third, or fourth dog can make your heart grow bigger (and your couch grow smaller)! Many dogs benefit from having a furry sibling. However, adding a new furry family member should be a thoughtful decision and everyone’s best interests need to be considered. Take into consideration your current pup’s age, energy level, play style, and preference for other dogs (genders, sizes, cuddly vs not cuddly, etc.). Put your dog’s needs before your wants.
If you are having a tough time working through these questions, shoot us an email, talk to a dog-savvy friend, or consult a positive reinforcement dog trainer!
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Consider your resident dog(s) wants and needs before adopting another dog. Your first dog’s happiness is paramount.