Does Harley need a friend?

[alyssa23]

Harley is almost 9 months now, and I wonder if he needs another dog to play with. Usually 2 days a week he has to stay home pretty much all day while I'm in class and at work. I know he naps a lot when I'm gone, but most of the time its only 2 or 3 hours at a time. He's so playful and I feel like he gets lonely so I've thought about getting another dog. I don't know if I should get a male or female though or what age the new puppy should be. I figured I would get another yorkie or a biewer terrier? Thanks for your help!

[BeyonceMomma23]

it might be better for him too get a friend, or you could look into a "doggie daycare" those days or one of the 2-3 days. They let them all play together, my friend takes her dog to a doggie daycare once a week. I never have, because I take online classes & I am with Bee all the time & if not she is with my mom. But, if you cant handle a new puppy right now, I would reccomend the daycare.

[Britster]

I've often thought about adding a second for your exact reason, because I often think Jackson needs a friend. I've come to realize, that's probably a bad reason to get a second dog. Sure, I think he'd be happy with a sibling (or maybe not? I like to think he would be). But I think *you* have to really want a second dog for yourself, too. That's another dog to train, bond with, pay for, and be responsible for over the next 10-15yrs.

Once thinking everything through, and if you are SURE you can afford a second dog, take care of one, spend enough time with one, etc, then I'd consider it. But don't do it "just because your dog needs a friend". I've made the mistake of thinking this for too long.

I am lucky in that I am able to go over to my dads house often so he's got their 2 dogs to play with... but to be honest, he requires JUST as much of my attention over there as he does alone with me. It's just 3 dogs begging for something to do, rather than one. And when we leave, all they do is sleep. They have nothing to do with each other anyways....

So I think having multiples is GREAT, and I will someday when I'm ready, but I do think it's important to weigh in all factors and don't just do it to get a friend for your current dog. There's other ways for them to get doggy interaction if that's what you're concerned with... dog daycare, dog parks, friends/relatives with dogs, etc.