Should You Get Another Dog?
Hey there!! Thanks for stopping by to read today’s blog post and welcome to the family! So, you want another dog? Here are my thoughts on when you should or should not get another furry family member!
Speaking as someone with two dogs… it’s a lot of work. It’s even more work if you are properly caring for them which means meeting their physical and mental needs every day. It is rare in my opinion that the people with 3 or more dogs are actually caring for their dogs in a way that I believe they should be. Not saying it’s not possible, but it is rare in my opinion. There are a few things that you should ask yourself before getting another dog:
Why do I want another dog?
Am I happy with the temperament & obedience of my current dog?
Do I have time for two dogs?
Can I financially afford another dog?
Why do you want another dog?
You should only ever get another dog if it will benefit and add value to your life. Don’t get one because you’re being pressured into it, because it was “too cute” to pass up, or to fix the chronic boredom that your current dog is experiencing.
Are you happy with the temperament/
obedience of your current dog?
A lot of people have said they were going to buy a dog to hopefully help with their current dogs’ behavioral issues. “They can play together and keep each other company” and while that may work for about a week if your dog is chronically bored because you don’t meet their physical and mental needs then soon, you’re not only going to have one but now TWO dogs that are chronically bored and have behavioral issues. If you then have to pay to get training done for both dogs instead of just one that is MUCH more expensive!
Do you have time?
When you get your new dog keep in mind that you have to train them. Your other dog isn’t going to “train” that dog to coexist peacefully with humans. That is up to you to do that. You have to train dogs separately especially in the beginning so do you have the time to give your new dog special attention and compensate for your original dog not getting that anymore and making sure to set out time alone for them as well? How busy is your lifestyle? Do you have kids? Do you have a busy job? Be sure to think of all these things before jumping into the responsibility of another dog!
Can you afford it?
Everything is more expensive with two (food, vet bills, preventatives, training, treats, activities, etc.). If you cannot afford to comfortably take care of both dogs you should not be getting another one.