Do you feel that your family is incomplete and that bringing another furry family member is the best way to complete it? You are not alone, a lot of people think so. Even though there are both pros and cons of getting a second dog, some pet owners think doubling the dogs means double fun which may or may not be true depending on any particular situation.
People worry about leaving their dogs alone at home while going out for some work, this is why they think of bringing another pet to engage with their dogs so that their dogs do not have to face loneliness.
Pros of Getting a Second Dog
The points mentioned below state the pros of getting a second dog:
➣ The fun gets doubled up. Gaming sessions will last much longer with two dogs. Getting two dogs to engage in friendly banter, watching them tease each other, or doing mischief together will be too much fun for the whole family.
➣ If your dog develops a great dynamic with another furry friend, its loneliness problem will be solved. Your dog will not get stressed out when you are busy at work all day, knowing that there is another dog now it can engage with.
➣ Your dog will have improved social skills when there are not just humans but also other furry family members to interact with. Adjusting to a new member in the house and regular interaction with other dogs will immensely help in making your dog more social.
➣ The reason for getting another dog can also be completely social. Two dogs can share a warm home and loving family. One more dog will have shelter, food, and great companionship.
➣ Dogs generally train faster in the presence of another dog. If your dog sees another dog getting rewards like dog chews and treats for doing a certain activity then the dog might try to mimic the activities. Seeing another dog perform a particular command might help the dog understand what you want.
Cons of Getting a Second Dog
Is it better to have two dogs? Maybe not always. There are both pros and cons of having two dogs. we have already discussed the pros so let’s get to the cons:
➣ It’s not always necessary that both dogs will develop great chemistry. If the personalities of both the dogs are different, then they might repel each other. If your dog has an experience of not getting along with a dog, it's better to never bring a second dog in your home.
➣ Two dogs can create quite a mess in the house especially if they are very active and playful. If you think cleaning up the mess left by one dog is very hectic, imagine what the two dogs can do to your house. You might need to be very frequent about cleaning up their fur and feces. It is also one of the disadvantages of two dogs.
➣ Another one of the disadvantages of two dogs is the additional charges of vet care, a good diet, dog toys, and chews. Raising two dogs together is not a very pocket-friendly option. You may need to spend a lot for their overall health.
➣ Just like humans, dogs can also become competitive about their share of food as well as the love and attention provided by humans. This sibling-type rivalry between the two dogs may turn toxic within no time. Such incidents can make you think getting a second dog was a mistake.
➣ Bonding between dogs is great, but sometimes such dogs may develop a codependency on each other which means they may become completely dependent on each other and not you. This may result in problems like ignoring the commands and paying attention to each other more than human owners. Such a situation may force you into thinking that getting a second dog was a mistake.
➣ Your dog may suffer from second dog syndrome which means you may observe some behavioral changes in your first dog after introducing the second dog in your home.
Leave a comment