Looking for feedback on getting a 2nd dog.

[Buster Brown]

Buster is now 16 months old. I was thinking of getting a 2nd dog as a buddy for him. I don't know if it would change my relationship with him by adding in another dog. Buster is my first dog and I am really trying to weigh all the pros and cons before I decide what to do. I live in an apartment and can work long hours. I do work close to home so I can go home at lunch. I have a roomate who is wonderful with animals and is not working much so he is there most of the time when I am at work. Buster gets a lot of attention and is very happy and well adjusted. So I was wondering if you multiple dog families could inform me how adding another dog effected you?

[Patti]

I have always had single dogs until about 5 years ago. I retired early and decided to get another yorkie (Cali). I had a 7 year old pom at the time. The pom didn't interact much with Cali as she was older and very much a loner. So then I decided to get another Yorkie so I got Pixie and her and Cali got along but Pixie wasn't into playing with toys like Cali was. But Pixie loved Maya, my pom and her and Maya became real close. Then Pixie's breeder offered me Dixie who sadly passed at 7 months due to a congenital disease. So then I got Roxie from the breeder. Pixie and Roxie were instant friends, tusslers and snuggle buddies. Then I took in Nikki and her is definitely a people dog. He does not like other dogs and is attached to my hip. So they all have different personalities and react differently to new additions. I love having multiples because they have their own little family structure and heirarchy that is fun to watch. They are never lonely and they look so cute all snuggled up. Now this may be my experience only but I found that they tend to bond very strongly with each other. Mine all love me but usually snuggle with each other rather than me, except Nikki (a rescue). This has just been my experience and each dynamic is different.

[Darlene68]

Bailey was 16 months old when I decided to get another yorkie, I felt he needed a playmate his own size. Jesse was a 2 year old yorkie boy who fit in right away. They play and I don't worry about them getting hurt because they are close in size. When I see them cuddled together in one bed ( even though there are several beds throughout the place ) it just makes me smile!

[Buster Brown]

That is what I was worried about, not getting my snuggle time. I am spoiled by Buster who loves to sleep with me pressed up against my side or between my legs. I love our bond and being his special girl. But I do not want to be selfish if having a buddy would be better for him.

[chachi]

We have 2 and I think its good because they keep each other company. I dont think having 2 has affected our bond with either one of them.

[Sgt_Cooper]

my biggest issue when i got my second, i first had a yorkie then added a lhasa apso, it diddnt aafect my dogs bond w me, but he does bark if i pick up the other girl dog (lhasa), the single biggest prob ive had is marking, my dog got neutered and he STILL does it alot. just consider too, twice the vet expenses and grooming if u get another high matinence dog.bu marking by fasr is the worst ive delt with

[Rachael x]

I got my schnauzer cross Jess when she was 3 years old (she is a rescue) and she is now 13 years old.
I got Poppy at 6 weeks old and she is now 6.5 months old.
Jess has always been the only dog and is totally spoilt so she was a bit put out when we first brought Poppy home.
At first she wanted nothing to do with her and would keep her distance, then she started to put Poppy in her place and let her know her place in the pack was FIRMLY below Jess's
They are now good friends and even though sometimes Jess cannot be bothered to play with her she does tolerate her. She seems to enjoy the company.
I think as your dog is still young this would be a good time to introduce a new dog if that is what you want to do.
You can expect him not to be happy about it at first but this happens with every dog and he will eventually warm to the new dog.

[lexi43]

Well we started out with 2 Basset Hounds then we got Zoe and this summer we got Zach. It's great there are more babies to love you and be loved. The bond between our dogs got stronger and strong. Plus the fact that they have each other for company when we go out. As for pros and cons, the only con I can think of is the expense and that's about it. The rest are all pros. If your dog is close to you that wont change I know it didn't in our case. It's great to come home and have 4 wagging tails and lots of kisses.

[RONLYNN]

I go back and forth with this issue. I had a Standard Poodle who passed away last year and was 15 year old but I got Teddi, my yorkie, when Cassie was 11 years old. They got along great. Teddi would sleep on top of Cassie. But now that it's just Teddi I don't know if I could get another one because it's so easy to take her everywhere with me. I wouldn't be able to travel with 2 of them and I like taking Teddi on trips with me. The other thing is that what if I got one and they didn't get along or didn't really interact then it would defeat the whole purpose. For now I will stay a 1 dog family!!

[yorkie mad]

I got a rehome in April, he was a year old and it was the best thing I ever did.Tia was coming up for 2 and she accepted him well into our family.They are now the best of friends and olly has only been with us for 7 mths! check out my album and see for yourself x