One pup or Two?

wyoung2153 · 12-07-2011, 10:59 AM

In about a month I will be getting a new puppy. Lady Athena, a South African Boerboel

I currently have a 2 year old GSD, Titan. One of my many reasons for getting another dog was to give Titan a friend and canine companion while I am gone at work during the week, I am gone for at least 8 hours a day M-F. A neighbor comes over and plays with Titan while I am gone, however, I thought he might like another buddy regardless, they are pack animals after all.

Anywho, this may sound like a silly question but I'm, curious as to the opinions of other owners as to what is better, owning 2 or more dogs, or having just the one so it bonds solely with you?

I know that seems like an obvious answer but I have actually had A LOT of different answers from co-workers and friends. Some say 1 because you don't want it depending on the other dog for companionship and others say 2 or more for the exact opposite reason. Just curious what the GSD community thought about that...

Emoore · 12-07-2011, 11:02 AM

I enjoy two. I wouldn't want two little baby puppies at once, but I like having two dogs of different ages for a variety of reasons.

My dogs put up with each other, but my husband and I are the center of their universe. Most days I'm pretty sure Rocky wishes Kopper would spontaneously combust. They don't play together or hang out while we're gone. They sleep on the couch.

You get a second dog for yourself, not for your first dog.

1sttimeforgsd · 12-07-2011, 11:10 AM

Some think it was for the wrong reason, but I got my gsd for a companion for my lab. I have always had 3 dogs at a time, and I think that it keeps them younger because they are constantly playing.

Now, my gsd does pay more attention to my lab than me when we are out and about. My fault, I did not do one on one time with him as he grew up, maybe because he is my first gsd and I had never had a dog attach more to another dog than to me. If I take him out alone with me he does listen to me pretty good, but add my lab to the mix and he is too busy putting her head in his mouth than listerning to me.

mysweetkaos · 12-07-2011, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emoore

I enjoy two. I wouldn't want two little baby puppies at once, but I like having two dogs of different ages for a variety of reasons.

My dogs put up with each other, but my husband and I are the center of their universe. Most days I'm pretty sure Rocky wishes Kopper would spontaneously combust. They don't play together or hang out while we're gone. They sleep on the couch.

You get a second dog for yourself, not for your first dog.

I agree with all of that. We have 2...with a large age gap. They play together sometimes for short bursts. Our old guy tolerates the new one, and I've even caught him looking for him a time or two....but they aren't star crossed lovers by any means. I do see where the puppy is bonding a lot with my old guy....and actually I don't want that so have had to amp up his personal time and training to avoid it. It's a lot of work, but I love it. Where one is getting older, and can not offer the same level of activity or companionship the other fills in. So my older one is my snuggle buddy, and our young one is my walking/ riding around on errands buddy. I don't think they need each other as much as I need them

Your Titan is still young though so he may enjoy a tumbling buddy...failed to notice are you getting another male?

Just reread, noticed you said you're adding a female.

I_LOVE_MY_MIKKO · 12-07-2011, 11:17 AM

I've been toying with the idea of adding a second dog for a while now, but finally decided not to. My dog has been like an only child for six years and I really think he likes being the only dog. We foster dogs, which is nice because he gets a playmate for a bit, but they he is still special as he gets to sleep in our bedroom, go to training and trials alone, and gets special alone trips. I'd feel too bad leaving him home while we took a new dog places.

msvette2u · 12-07-2011, 11:20 AM

If I were adding a dog to my pack, I'd separate them while I was gone anyway, which is always recommended, so that would defeat the purpose of getting a 2nd dog.

LaRen616 · 12-07-2011, 11:24 AM

I will never get 2 puppies at once again.

I like the age gap between my 2 current dogs. They are 2 years apart. I love the differences between them, I love that they help wear each other out, I like watching them cuddle and play with toys together. They compliment each other very well.

I also like that one is smaller, more athletic and more serious than the other one.

But the larger, longer, silly one holds my heart.

1sttimeforgsd · 12-07-2011, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by msvette2u

If I were adding a dog to my pack, I'd separate them while I was gone anyway, which is always recommended, so that would defeat the purpose of getting a 2nd dog.

My pup was only seperated from the other two (crate) untill he was potty trained, they have free roam of the house when we are gone. I have never had to keep any of my dogs seperated when we were not home.

RaidersMom · 12-07-2011, 11:27 AM

I have 4 dogs... Raider (my GSD), Athena (a border collie/spaniel mix... rescue), Lulu (an English Bulldog... rescue) and Marissa (a Morkie... inherited from my sister). We are the center of ALL of their worlds... in fact, sometimes I feel like I am being crowded by my dogs. Athena and Raider play a lot. She is half his size but doesn't put up with his crap. As eveyrone knows, GSDs can play rough and Athena can hold her own. Lulu is too old and arthritic to really play, though sometimes Raider will even get her going. And Marissa just stays on the couch and instigates.

I like that Raider has a playmate and another dog to play with. If there are days where we can't get him out for a walk, they will play and it helps with his energy level. Of course, I often find myself yelling "Kids, keep it down!"

as they can get quite noisey, but I love to watch them play. And when we go for a walk off leash, that is when Raider really loves it because they get to RUN and play together.

During the day, while we ae at work, they are all crated, but I think it helps them to not feel lonely. I would probably NEVER let them all have the run of the house together (as it would result in total destruction... Raider especially loves the 10-gallon palm frond plants.... so much that he feels the need to scatter the dirt and leaves through EVERY ROOM OF THE HOUSE... talk about walking into a mess!), but the companionship is nice.

I'm all for multiple dogs... so long as you can give each one the attention they deserve.

1rockyracoon1 · 12-07-2011, 11:32 AM

Not really got any advice on the owning two dogs thing (our dogs are always crated when we are not home) and how they relate as companions and what not. but i would definitely like to know more about the boerboel experiences you have if you do get the new pup because i have looked at them for a while and find that breed awesome.

12-07-2011, 10:59 AM	#1 (permalink)
wyoung2153 Master Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: North Florida Posts: 632	One pup or Two? In about a month I will be getting a new puppy. Lady Athena, a South African Boerboel I currently have a 2 year old GSD, Titan. One of my many reasons for getting another dog was to give Titan a friend and canine companion while I am gone at work during the week, I am gone for at least 8 hours a day M-F. A neighbor comes over and plays with Titan while I am gone, however, I thought he might like another buddy regardless, they are pack animals after all. Anywho, this may sound like a silly question but I'm, curious as to the opinions of other owners as to what is better, owning 2 or more dogs, or having just the one so it bonds solely with you? I know that seems like an obvious answer but I have actually had A LOT of different answers from co-workers and friends. Some say 1 because you don't want it depending on the other dog for companionship and others say 2 or more for the exact opposite reason. Just curious what the GSD community thought about that...

12-07-2011, 11:02 AM	#2 (permalink)
Emoore Crowned Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: North DFW, TX Posts: 9,215	I enjoy two. I wouldn't want two little baby puppies at once, but I like having two dogs of different ages for a variety of reasons. My dogs put up with each other, but my husband and I are the center of their universe. Most days I'm pretty sure Rocky wishes Kopper would spontaneously combust. They don't play together or hang out while we're gone. They sleep on the couch. You get a second dog for yourself, not for your first dog. __________________ Rocky vom Backyard- 10 years young Kopper vom Felssclucht Bach - 17 months At the Bridge: Cash van der Animal Shelter 2006-2010

12-07-2011, 11:10 AM	#3 (permalink)
1sttimeforgsd Crowned Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: West Virginia Posts: 4,897	Some think it was for the wrong reason, but I got my gsd for a companion for my lab. I have always had 3 dogs at a time, and I think that it keeps them younger because they are constantly playing. Now, my gsd does pay more attention to my lab than me when we are out and about. My fault, I did not do one on one time with him as he grew up, maybe because he is my first gsd and I had never had a dog attach more to another dog than to me. If I take him out alone with me he does listen to me pretty good, but add my lab to the mix and he is too busy putting her head in his mouth than listerning to me. __________________ karen, mom to: ace-gsd (bi-color) 6/14/2010 mandy-yellow lab 1/31/2009 baby-terrier mix 11/25/2000

12-07-2011, 11:17 AM	#5 (permalink)
I_LOVE_MY_MIKKO Knighted Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: FLORIDA Posts: 2,249	I've been toying with the idea of adding a second dog for a while now, but finally decided not to. My dog has been like an only child for six years and I really think he likes being the only dog. We foster dogs, which is nice because he gets a playmate for a bit, but they he is still special as he gets to sleep in our bedroom, go to training and trials alone, and gets special alone trips. I'd feel too bad leaving him home while we took a new dog places. __________________ Mikko GM, RM, AAD, ASA, SJ, SS, EAC, EJC, TN-E, TG-E, WV-O, OCC, HP-O, VerO, NAJ, CGC - 6 year old GSD

12-07-2011, 11:24 AM	#7 (permalink)
LaRen616 Crowned Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 10,582	I will never get 2 puppies at once again. I like the age gap between my 2 current dogs. They are 2 years apart. I love the differences between them, I love that they help wear each other out, I like watching them cuddle and play with toys together. They compliment each other very well. I also like that one is smaller, more athletic and more serious than the other one. But the larger, longer, silly one holds my heart. __________________ ~ Sinister 3 yr old black male GSD 3.11.09 ~ Malice 9 mth old black female GSD 6.19.11 Cats: Chaos, Monster, Wicked

12-07-2011, 11:20 AM	#6 (permalink)
msvette2u Crowned Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Beautiful Pacific NW Posts: 5,531	If I were adding a dog to my pack, I'd separate them while I was gone anyway, which is always recommended, so that would defeat the purpose of getting a 2nd dog.

12-07-2011, 11:27 AM	#9 (permalink)
RaidersMom New Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Charles Town, WV Posts: 16	I have 4 dogs... Raider (my GSD), Athena (a border collie/spaniel mix... rescue), Lulu (an English Bulldog... rescue) and Marissa (a Morkie... inherited from my sister). We are the center of ALL of their worlds... in fact, sometimes I feel like I am being crowded by my dogs. Athena and Raider play a lot. She is half his size but doesn't put up with his crap. As eveyrone knows, GSDs can play rough and Athena can hold her own. Lulu is too old and arthritic to really play, though sometimes Raider will even get her going. And Marissa just stays on the couch and instigates. I like that Raider has a playmate and another dog to play with. If there are days where we can't get him out for a walk, they will play and it helps with his energy level. Of course, I often find myself yelling "Kids, keep it down!" as they can get quite noisey, but I love to watch them play. And when we go for a walk off leash, that is when Raider really loves it because they get to RUN and play together. During the day, while we ae at work, they are all crated, but I think it helps them to not feel lonely. I would probably NEVER let them all have the run of the house together (as it would result in total destruction... Raider especially loves the 10-gallon palm frond plants.... so much that he feels the need to scatter the dirt and leaves through EVERY ROOM OF THE HOUSE... talk about walking into a mess!), but the companionship is nice. I'm all for multiple dogs... so long as you can give each one the attention they deserve.

12-07-2011, 11:32 AM	#10 (permalink)
1rockyracoon1 Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NC Posts: 35	Not really got any advice on the owning two dogs thing (our dogs are always crated when we are not home) and how they relate as companions and what not. but i would definitely like to know more about the boerboel experiences you have if you do get the new pup because i have looked at them for a while and find that breed awesome.

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