2nd dog???

[deisecailin]

Just looking for advice. I have a 14 week old Yorkshire terrier puppy (female) I only work 2 days a week and 1 of these days she's in puppy daycare and the other day she gets a 2 hour visit from my dad so she's only on her own for a little bit. She sleeps in the kitchen on her own and although she doesn't seem to be overjoyed when its bedtime she doesn't make a whine or cry. However she is so friendly and wants to meet and play with everyone we meet, people and dogs alike. I'm just wondering should I get a 2nd Yorkshire terrier for her to have a playmate. I am a huge dog lover so 2 dogs would be okay for me although my husband loves our dog now he's not too keen on getting a 2nd one. I also have a 7 and 9 year old who love her and are very good with her. Any advice on what I should do would be great as I'm very conflicted. Maybe it's just guilt and this will pass but I just think would it be nice for her to have another companion in the household for when we are not there. As I said she goes to doggy day care once a week, she's walked every day although most people don't stop with their dogs to say hello, she also go to puppy socialisation classes every Saturday and twice a week she will have visits to my parents house who have 3 cavaliers although these dogs are 11 and 9 years old and are too old to play with her. Thanks for any thought!

[Wylie's Mom]

Personally, I do think it's great for dogs to have another doggy in the household...but it's not essential either. I will enable you either way ! (btw, I have FOUR )

[barneysmommmy]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Personally, I do think it's great for dogs to have another doggy in the household...but it's not essential either. I will enable you either way ! (btw, I have FOUR )

Worded very nicely. Yes, I will enable you also. I have 3!

[Jkpal]

Piper is about 4yrs and is very little dog friendly; when she sees another smallish dog**, she runs full tilt to it, her little ears flat (? Piper and I regularly discuss whether or not her ears are big enough and/or fringy enough...see below) and once to her 'new little buddy' her tail wags faster than it does any other time--she's truly delighted. But in every instance, it's Piper who moves away and wants to get back to our walk. Piper is alone for about 9/hrs five nights a week, but I truly believe that as much as she enjoys meeting other canines, she does not want one coming home with her, thank you very much!
**I let Piper choose who she wants to approach and I swear, little dogs are usually good, but let her see another Yorkie and it's always totally excited hi, hi, hi--Is it possible she somehow recognizes her kind?

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Personally, I do think it's great for dogs to have another doggy in the household...but it's not essential either. I will enable you either way ! (btw, I have FOUR )

My first Yorkie has an 'only child' personality, but he enjoyed meeting dogs on our walks, so we brought home his brother.

My boys love each other, appreciate the company, but they do not self-entertain. I have 2 little faces looking to me constantly for walks and outings.

Having more than one multiplies the work, the grooming, the vet bills. It's also harder taking 2 on outings or trips. But, it is twice the love and kisses.

I love having my duo, but know people with very happy singleton Yorkies. Best wishes in making your decision.

[JadeD]

I will first tell you that I have 4 dogs. We have a 5 year old English Setter, a 10 year old Yorkie and then the TWINS, they are 8 month old Yorkie mix puppies.

If you are happy with 1 dog and she is happy and gets lots of love and attention then maybe that is what is best for your family.

Having 2 puppies though (mine are litter mates) is the most fun I have ever had with a new dog(s). Mine play and entertain themselves because they play so hard with each other. They both come and cuddle with me, Rowan more than Raksha as he is my puppy. Raksha follows my teenage daughter all over when she is home because that puppy is hers.

I love having 2 litter mates, it is amazing. However my older Yorkie was very happy being my only dog for a while. When I first brought home the puppies he acted like I broke his heart. Even though I took him for walks with just him and I, and I would take him down to our bedroom and watch tv with just him and I so he had some one on one time with me. He wanted nothing to do with me for about 10 days, then he started getting off the back of the couch and jumping into the puppies playing and so they played with him. Now all 3 of my Yorkies are the best of friends. He will be sleeping on the couch and my male puppy will come up and lay with him and clean his ears for him. The female puppy will cuddle with him and keep him warm. Not all stories of bringing in another puppy end as well as mine, but mine did work great.

If you have a female I would get a male puppy as they will potentially fight less and unless you are an experienced dog owner I would not recommend having 2 females as females tend to fight more. I keep my house with 1 female and as many males as I want to have and it works for me. I do have a lot of experience with dogs and could probably handle 2 females, but the 1 female dynamic just works for me in my house. Males are a joy too. Both my male Yorkies worship me and I love that.

Just consider carefully what is best for your family. If another Yorkie is what your family wants then another dog will be okay, but if you are not sure about another dog the one will be okay on her own. For many years we only had 1 dog in our house. Having 4 is a new experience for us, but it is working great.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

[matese]

Several years ago I had a pack of 3 females, all 3 years apart, the 2 older ones were not spayed, the last one was, I guess I was lucky, they all got along great, they all ate next to each other, there was NEVER a growl or a fight. The 2 older ones took turns cleaning the baby's face lol, all slept together in one large doggie bed, at night each had their own place on my bed with me. Yorkies are happy at being the only child, but what fun they and your family wil have if you get your baby a play mate. All my girls are now passed, I have an adopted boy that I believe is not dog friendly so he will be an only child. When I had my pack of 3 they all came everywhere with me, I honestly did not find it harder with 3 and that included wakling all 3 at the same time, maybe because I LOVED them so much I didn't see it as work, just love. If you feel YOU want another baby I say GO FOR IT.

[Cindy_17]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Personally, I do think it's great for dogs to have another doggy in the household...but it's not essential either. I will enable you either way ! (btw, I have FOUR )

Lol I agree

I have two, one Yorkie & one poodle, with all intentions of having another Yorkie in the next couple of years, I just haven't told my husband that yet, I have had two for the past 5 years and cannot imagine just having 1 again...But many people have just 1 and love that situation, I would say it's whatever is in your heart and works for your family

[deisecailin]

thanks for the feedback. I know if it was just me I'd definitely get another one. I love Pixie so much and when I see her playing with the puppies in day care I'd love to have that in my home with another Yorkie. It's just everyone else is putting me off saying how easy Pixie has settled in and how much attention she gets, she doesn't need another dog in the house. Oh decisions, decisions?? It'd be easier if yorkies weren't so cute

[Rachael1983]

I had 2 dogs at one point in my life and it was a lot of work. My daughter wants another dog but I know for us 1 dog is easier but 2 dogs would be a nice to have but not necessarily practical. Emma is easily portable when I travel, easy to find someone to watch her and pretty easy with day to day maintence with grooming, vet costs ,etc.

[lovestiny]

I think it really depends on the dog. Our first dog 21 years ago was a female maltese, very calm, sweet and affectionate gal. We felt bad bc we worked full time so we got her a brother. He worshipped her, but she really was ambivalent about him. She didn't mind him but she really did her own thing lol.


We have a year old female yorkie we bring everywhere with us. I would really love a second actually, but we also have four children and bringing two dogs everywhere just wont be as easy I think? I think it really depends on your dog and your lifestyle?


Let us know what you decide!

[Cindy_17]

To me traveling with two little ones is not much difference. Now if they were larger I could see that being a challenge. Their car seat and stroller goes with me everywhere, it stays in my Tahoe, without these two items it would be harder but they make my life easier. We travel via vehicle, we do not fly so I don't have that hassle like others do. A lot depends on your lifestyle, but I LOVE having my two, they are just too cute

[tb98rock]

I have a 1 year old boy but oh how much I want a little girl! I'm only 17 so once I have enough money saved (probs around 19) I will get a little girl but that'd be a big age difference but Teddy and I are a good mommy and only baby combo

[karen24]

We have a 12 month old male, and felt like he needed a buddy too. When we heard that our Jack's parents had another litter, we got him a little sister, who is his true little sister. Chloe is 3 months old and we've had her for 2 weeks now. Jack has been an "only child" for so long, although he plays great with large dogs, he was overpowered with the playful energy of the new pup. Well, that's the nice way to put it. Turns out our Chloe is a bully. We limited Jack's time with her, so to ease him into the situation. We now have her in an area that he can get in and out of, but she can not. It works out great. He has the ability to play or not play with her. I imagine by the time she grows large enough to exit the area herself, they will be well acclimated to one another. Heads up! We figured Jack would show Chloe the ropes on pottying outside. Not train her for us, of course, but it has to be a good thing for a dog to see another doing the deed in the right place. People said, well, she may untrain him. I thought, what? So we have now discovered that if she has an accident and we don't clean it up immediately, and Jack finds it, he "changes the scent." OK, so now I get it. It is a little twist that needs to be addressed, but it's working out. Just the little surprises that come along with a new adventure. Overall, we are thrilled that our Jack now has Chloe to hang out with, it is an adjustment to be back to housebreaking again, but hopefully by Spring she will be as reliable as Jack is. Good Luck!

Yorkies are like potato chips, you can't have just one!