Adding a Second Dog to your Family
by Sue Senn
Sniffles and Friends Professional Dog Walkers
Philadelphia, PA
Voted BEST DOG WALKERS in Philadelphia FIVE YEARS IN A ROW on PHL17 TV’s Hot List!
2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
BEST OF PHILLY 2010, Philly Mag’s Best of Philly Issue
http://www.snifflesandfriends.com
Many of us have debated adding a second dog to our households at one time
or another
Going from a single dog family to living with two (or more) dogs can be a
decision that some people will soon live to regret, but this certainly doesn’t
have to be the case.
Of course, in this economy we’re all pinching pennies and budgeting more
closely than ever before. A second dog is a big added expense. That bouncy,
athletic 3-year-old will sometimes get sick, and will eventually get old just like
we humans do; so caring for two seniors some day is definitely something to
consider – both monetarily and with regard to time management and
emotional investment.
Consider choosing to adopt a new dog that is either one year older or one
year younger than your current dog. Sometimes it helps reduce the
occurrence of “competitiveness” (as sometimes occurs when two puppies
from the same litter have been adopted into the same home) if you carefully
space out the ages of your dogs.
In choosing the sex of your second dog, consider the personality type of
your first dog. Choosing a dog of the opposite sex can sometimes be a good
idea; but it often doesn’t make much difference at all. Knowing the right
things to keep in mind about your first dog will certainly be helpful in making
a decision about selecting the sex of your second dog.
The second dog’s disposition is definitely something that needs to be taken
into consideration, especially if you already have a shy/nervous dog. An
outgoing, self-confident “party animal” who is comfortable in any social
situation can greatly help a more apprehensive dog to gain social skills and
to be more inclined to join in and feel at ease. If you are getting a second
dog to help your first dog make friends more readily, you may want to
consider adopting a dog that is 2 years old or more. A dog this age has
already established his personality, as opposed to a younger dog who is still
changing and developing socially. This way you know what you’re getting! Of
course, remember to ask any pertinent questions of the shelter or rescue
from whom you’re adopting. A good foster pet parent has paid close attention
and knows all facets of their foster’s personality, good and “challenging”
and is happy/eager to share this information with you to ensure that their
little love is going to a home where he will fit in successfully and live a happy
life with a forever family.
If you and your dog share a liking for an active lifestyle, be sure to choose a
second dog that has the activity level and personality that will support the
lifestyle to which your family has already become accustomed. For example,
if you’re a runner who is used to sprinting 5 miles each day with your
Australian shepherd, it might not be a good idea to get a French Bulldog as
your second dog and expect him to enjoy joining you on your nightly runs.
Similarly, if you and your current dog are social butterflies and enjoy being
around lots of other people and other animals, it might not be a good “fit” for
you to choose a homebody or more bashful dog, who might not share your
enthusiasm for being “out and about”, and prefers being a sofa spud.
Make sure you have enough help. You’ll find that it’s often much easier to
find someone to doggy-sit one dog as opposed to two. Be sure to have a
reliable and knowledgeable caretaker in place who doesn’t mind watching
two dogs at a time. Some dog walkers, daycares, and pet sitters charge extra
for a second dog. You may want to check with your family’s doggie caretaker
to see if there is an added charge for a second dog or not.
These are just a few points to ponder while deciding what dog is the right fit
for your family.
Do your homework, research each breed and its personality/health
tendencies (and keep in mind that, no matter how much research you do
there is always an exception to the rule) – there is no “textbook” dog
situation.
Make sure the rescue you’re dealing with is a reputable one, and always run
this and any other important question with regard to your pets with your vet!
A second dog is a delightful addition to complete most families as long as it’s
been given the thorough and serious consideration and forethought that any
major family decision requires!
Download a copy of the May/June 2012 Issue here.
by Sue Senn
Sniffles and Friends Professional Dog Walkers
Philadelphia, PA
Voted BEST DOG WALKERS in Philadelphia FIVE YEARS IN A ROW on PHL17 TV’s Hot List!
2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
BEST OF PHILLY 2010, Philly Mag’s Best of Philly Issue
http://www.snifflesandfriends.com
Many of us have debated adding a second dog to our households at one time
or another
Going from a single dog family to living with two (or more) dogs can be a
decision that some people will soon live to regret, but this certainly doesn’t
have to be the case.
Of course, in this economy we’re all pinching pennies and budgeting more
closely than ever before. A second dog is a big added expense. That bouncy,
athletic 3-year-old will sometimes get sick, and will eventually get old just like
we humans do; so caring for two seniors some day is definitely something to
consider – both monetarily and with regard to time management and
emotional investment.
Consider choosing to adopt a new dog that is either one year older or one
year younger than your current dog. Sometimes it helps reduce the
occurrence of “competitiveness” (as sometimes occurs when two puppies
from the same litter have been adopted into the same home) if you carefully
space out the ages of your dogs.
In choosing the sex of your second dog, consider the personality type of
your first dog. Choosing a dog of the opposite sex can sometimes be a good
idea; but it often doesn’t make much difference at all. Knowing the right
things to keep in mind about your first dog will certainly be helpful in making
a decision about selecting the sex of your second dog.
The second dog’s disposition is definitely something that needs to be taken
into consideration, especially if you already have a shy/nervous dog. An
outgoing, self-confident “party animal” who is comfortable in any social
situation can greatly help a more apprehensive dog to gain social skills and
to be more inclined to join in and feel at ease. If you are getting a second
dog to help your first dog make friends more readily, you may want to
consider adopting a dog that is 2 years old or more. A dog this age has
already established his personality, as opposed to a younger dog who is still
changing and developing socially. This way you know what you’re getting! Of
course, remember to ask any pertinent questions of the shelter or rescue
from whom you’re adopting. A good foster pet parent has paid close attention
and knows all facets of their foster’s personality, good and “challenging”
and is happy/eager to share this information with you to ensure that their
little love is going to a home where he will fit in successfully and live a happy
life with a forever family.
If you and your dog share a liking for an active lifestyle, be sure to choose a
second dog that has the activity level and personality that will support the
lifestyle to which your family has already become accustomed. For example,
if you’re a runner who is used to sprinting 5 miles each day with your
Australian shepherd, it might not be a good idea to get a French Bulldog as
your second dog and expect him to enjoy joining you on your nightly runs.
Similarly, if you and your current dog are social butterflies and enjoy being
around lots of other people and other animals, it might not be a good “fit” for
you to choose a homebody or more bashful dog, who might not share your
enthusiasm for being “out and about”, and prefers being a sofa spud.
Make sure you have enough help. You’ll find that it’s often much easier to
find someone to doggy-sit one dog as opposed to two. Be sure to have a
reliable and knowledgeable caretaker in place who doesn’t mind watching
two dogs at a time. Some dog walkers, daycares, and pet sitters charge extra
for a second dog. You may want to check with your family’s doggie caretaker
to see if there is an added charge for a second dog or not.
These are just a few points to ponder while deciding what dog is the right fit
for your family.
Do your homework, research each breed and its personality/health
tendencies (and keep in mind that, no matter how much research you do
there is always an exception to the rule) – there is no “textbook” dog
situation.
Make sure the rescue you’re dealing with is a reputable one, and always run
this and any other important question with regard to your pets with your vet!
A second dog is a delightful addition to complete most families as long as it’s
been given the thorough and serious consideration and forethought that any
major family decision requires!
Download a copy of the May/June 2012 Issue here.
| Diva |
| Sophie |
| Violet and Cody |
| Sue's Views for Happy Pets Sniffles and Friends Newsletter - May/June 2012 |
| Sue's Views |
| Sniffles' Friends |
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