Advice needed please

[Ringo1]

I have a girl yorkie and a male Westie and they get along just fine. Ringo was a dominant male Westie and we were REALLY worried how things would work out.

It took a few weeks for things to settle down; but now I couldn't imagine life without any other way.

And I think they would be lost without each other too!

[Sempai-mj]

I find two or more is better if you work and are away most of the day.

[jenn1381]

I had 1 for a year and decided to get a second. Oliver is a rescue and is so scared of pretty much everything, but seems to do better when other dogs are around.. so I thought having another dog here all the time might help. (and it is helping, slowly, but helping!)

Things I didn't quite consider as much as I should have - COST... Mya has gotten SO expensive... just to get her up to date on shots and heartworm (includes Oliver's heartworm too, they share a box) was almost $500. Now we are looking at spaying her, likely another $400. Hopefully after that the financial burdens settle down and we're off to the occasional visit and once a yr shots.

Jealousy is also another big factor for us.. treats, toys, and my attention. Oliver is kinda rough with Mya too, so I really have to keep a close eye on them as they play. Now that she's almost his size that's gotten better, but when I brought her home he was nearly 10 pounds heavier than her... it was nerve wracking.

That being said, it's really awesome to watch them together. Oliver is even helping with potty training.. if she's doing something in the house he will come and tell on her - barks and runs to where she is, if I don't follow, he'll do it again. He also goes and gets her outside when I want them inside.. it's too funny! He is starting to enjoy her more and more as she gets bigger and can really rumble with him. They love to wrestle and chase each other around.

You'll need to make sure that your pup likes other dogs and seems to enjoy having them around. Some dogs like to be the sole canine and will really resist another dog moving in.

I don't know that I will ever go back to one dog again. For me, the benefits outweigh the annoyances, but it's a personal choice. If you have the time and money, and you think you can handle 2, go for it!

[NAUTILUS1900]

Hi this is my first day here and this question is the one that concerned me since the first day I got my first puppy.
5 months later I decided to ad a second one to our family. I think that was the best decision ever.
I don't think that a second Yorkie is more work that you already have.
Pros

You can leave them home and they don't mind
They play all day long and they consume there energy
They learn from each other and you have less work training them
They are more balanced, as you aren't focused on one of them all the time

Cons

Vet bills
… (Let me think…) That's all

Dogs are pack animals and is's always better to have company

And a tip from my dog trainer:
How to introduce your new dog to your old one

Keep your older puppy locked in one room
Leave your new puppy near your house door.
Open your older puppy's door and don't say anything.
Just let her sniff and find the new one.
This way she will think that she found her and she'll be proud of it.
Remember the first day is the most important one.
If they get along the first day they'll get along for the rest of there lives.
Whether you are present or not.

Maria

[yorkie_mama22]

I've got two yorkies and a bull terrier. To be honest I think having two yorkies is great, I could probably have 3 if I didn't have a third dog. It is like having extra kids though and sometimes it can get annoying and tiring of having 3 dogs in the house. I've been questioning myself lately if I wasn't too crazy getting a third. I like knowing that Lola and Zach have each other to keep company when I am busy or not home.

[J_is_my_initial]

Gypsy was our first pup in a long time. Then I convinced hubby that Gypsy needed a playmate. So I got him Puff for a birthday present. Gypsy was 2 yrs old. Gypsy has never been a playful dog more a cuddler. I then decided that Puff needed a more energetic playmate. We now have Sophie. Now to convince Jimmie I really do need a 4th dog. Not going as well this time. I will never go back to just one dog in the home.

[susan lynn]

I got my Tessie (16 months old) last year for Mothers day, She was the greatest gift I ever had except my son, who is now 16. But since she needed a play mate we got Hobbes 5 weeks later, he is now 15 months. At first Tessie wasn't real happy but since they were still very young she accepted him and now loves to play with him, Hobbes doggie parents had another litter 7 months later so now we have Calvin ( 8 months old) and it makes a perfect 3. My husband told me today that he needed a puppy for Fathers Day, but he was kidding. Tessie is still the #1 Princess. So I think another now would be great.

[RachelandSadie]

dogs are pack animals so it's good for them to have a pal. that being said it's a very careful and well thought out decision to make. they have to be ok on neutral territory and get along because hte house dog doesn't need to meet the new dog in te home for te first time. if neutral ground for a few hours is going great try it at home. if they don't get along right away give it time so long as they aren't tearing each other apart. always have a back up plan in case they aren't a match, but it's just a trial and error thing of finding the perfect match.

good luck. rescues are my personal fav. place for a new dog because they do have foster for awhile and then adopt options if you need them and are better about taking the dog right back should it not work out. buying from a reputable breeder should be a good way to try as well because a good breeder will always take their dog back. with rescues however vyou can find a dog similar in age which i have found is a really good idea because my two matched are only a day apart. Sadie didn't like puppyies and an old dog would like keeping up with her. same age worked best.

thanks and good luck

[RachelandSadie]

Originally Posted by NAUTILUS1900

Hi this is my first day here and this question is the one that concerned me since the first day I got my first puppy.
5 months later I decided to ad a second one to our family. I think that was the best decision ever.
I don't think that a second Yorkie is more work that you already have.
Pros

You can leave them home and they don't mind
They play all day long and they consume there energy
They learn from each other and you have less work training them
They are more balanced, as you aren't focused on one of them all the time

Cons

Vet bills
… (Let me think…) That's all

Dogs are pack animals and is's always better to have company

And a tip from my dog trainer:
How to introduce your new dog to your old one

Keep your older puppy locked in one room
Leave your new puppy near your house door.
Open your older puppy's door and don't say anything.
Just let her sniff and find the new one.
This way she will think that she found her and she'll be proud of it.
Remember the first day is the most important one.
If they get along the first day they'll get along for the rest of there lives.
Whether you are present or not.

Maria

that's a big con. vet bills remember are DOUBLE. that's double heart worm meds, double flea and tick meds, that's about $200 or more for 6 months for two of them. then there's double yearly exams and shots so that's another $250 or more a year, then if they get LP or anything that's double surgeries and vet bills for injuries and illness...it adds up over time. two is good for me. i don't think i can afford more than that for now.

[Britster]

It all depends on your lifestyle, etc. I know, for me, I'd LOVE to have a 2nd dog and I know Jackson would be much happier with a friend. Even though he's my only dog, he's never technically had to be an only dog until recently... we lived with my parents and they had a 4yr old cockapoo who passed away last September. He was really upset when she died, and even though he's obviously gotten 'over' it and has adjusted pretty well... he's just not as happy by himself. He seems alot more bored sometimes so I have to occupy him and keep him busy by going to dog parks, walks, lots of playtime.

For my lifestyle though, 1 just works right now. I'll be house/rental hunting within the next 6months hopefully and I know it's easier with one than two. I take him with me to family functions, vacations, etc and I don't think it'd be as likely with two. He's really my best friend and compainion and I'm terrified I'll screw up what we've got. I admit, it's easier with 1. When we visit my dads and sleep over it makes 3 dogs and after 1-2 nights I'm usually anxious to get back home to more peace lol. But I think once I'm settled in my own place, I will add a second. I haven't decided puppy or adult but 99% sure we're going rescue route.