For those with one dog, why do you only have one?

[QuickSilver]

For you guys that have more than one, have you considered just taking one out on errands?

[viviansnickers]

Think long and hard about your fav things to do with Jackson. Is it possible for you to do the same things with 2??? This is how I decided to start looking for a brother for Snick. These are my fav things to do with him, and can I do the same with 2???

1. Go for walks...yes w/ 2.
2. Go to the doggy mall...yes w/ 2 but won't be able to shop now, just walk around. I am willing to give this up, b/c honestly, I LOVED taking Snick in my Kwigy Bo, but shopping with him was always very HARD. So we always pretty much just ended up walking around and if I REALLY wanted to go in a store, in the Kwigy Bo he went. I technically can still shop if my husband comes.
3. Visit my parents & inlaws- yes w/ 2.
4. Go on vacations w/ my husband and afford it. Yes w/ 2 after getting a new dog nanny. She is amazing and am excited to have my 2 boys stay with her in the future. I found someone who does NOT do it for the money, she just loves dogs. And she is VERY experienced. It was a blessing I found her.


Now...things I can't do with one, but can with 2!! This is where it gets interesting for me....

1. Feeling guilty leaving Snick home while we work. Getting a 2nd is self explanatory. Snick has a buddy!! Then can play, sleep, entertain one another.
2. Leaving Snick in the evenings when we want to go out. We feel so GUILTY doing this!!! We are still newlyweds and doing the whole night life thing is hard and we almost revolve our lives around him and if my parents or inlaws can watch Snick so we don't feel horrible leaving him home alone for more than 2-3 hours. With a 2nd, we won't feel horrible when we leave them home alone for a more lenghty time period, and we can enjoy ourselves. We don't take Snick everywhere we go, and the places we do take him, we could take 2.
3. Snick's separation anxiety will get better FOR SURE!!! He is doing ok now, but he LOVES other dogs, and this will help us a TON. You've heard how Snick is at his current nanny's...he is awesome w/ the other dogs and being alone with them.

This thread is awesome and has given you and me BOTH a ton to think about!!!!!

HUGS-
Snick & Viv

[BabyGirl Rosie]

I only have Rosie inside but have other dogs outside. I look all the time thinking I would love to have another but...

1. The expense holds me back (Vet, grooming, etc)
2. Rosie is very attention seeking. She likes my undivided attention. And she gets it!
3. My husband would kill me!
4. I would have to buy a new house to fit all the clothes I would buy (darn that prissypawfashions!)
5. I worry how she would handle having another addition. She gets along with my outside dogs as long as they don't try to come inside. If one tries to get in she goes completely nuts.

I do look all the time. And if I feel it is right, I may think about another addition. I think you will know if it is the right thing to do.

[Sweet Apple]

Originally Posted by QuickSilver

For you guys that have more than one, have you considered just taking one out on errands?

I do this, once in a while, but omg'sh, are the others ticked off

[Britster]

Originally Posted by viviansnickers

Think long and hard about your fav things to do with Jackson. Is it possible for you to do the same things with 2??? This is how I decided to start looking for a brother for Snick. These are my fav things to do with him, and can I do the same with 2???

1. Go for walks...yes w/ 2.
2. Go to the doggy mall...yes w/ 2 but won't be able to shop now, just walk around. I am willing to give this up, b/c honestly, I LOVED taking Snick in my Kwigy Bo, but shopping with him was always very HARD. So we always pretty much just ended up walking around and if I REALLY wanted to go in a store, in the Kwigy Bo he went. I technically can still shop if my husband comes.
3. Visit my parents & inlaws- yes w/ 2.
4. Go on vacations w/ my husband and afford it. Yes w/ 2 after getting a new dog nanny. She is amazing and am excited to have my 2 boys stay with her in the future. I found someone who does NOT do it for the money, she just loves dogs. And she is VERY experienced. It was a blessing I found her.


Now...things I can't do with one, but can with 2!! This is where it gets interesting for me....

1. Feeling guilty leaving Snick home while we work. Getting a 2nd is self explanatory. Snick has a buddy!! Then can play, sleep, entertain one another.
2. Leaving Snick in the evenings when we want to go out. We feel so GUILTY doing this!!! We are still newlyweds and doing the whole night life thing is hard and we almost revolve our lives around him and if my parents or inlaws can watch Snick so we don't feel horrible leaving him home alone for more than 2-3 hours. With a 2nd, we won't feel horrible when we leave them home alone for a more lenghty time period, and we can enjoy ourselves. We don't take Snick everywhere we go, and the places we do take him, we could take 2.
3. Snick's separation anxiety will get better FOR SURE!!! He is doing ok now, but he LOVES other dogs, and this will help us a TON. You've heard how Snick is at his current nanny's...he is awesome w/ the other dogs and being alone with them.

This thread is awesome and has given you and me BOTH a ton to think about!!!!!

HUGS-
Snick & Viv

Yes, these are VERY good points!! I have thought about that too....I mean, dog parks, pet stores, dog events, walks, are all things I do all the time and could easily do w/ two. Yet the few things I'm apprehensive about... rarely happen. For example, bringing him with me on Thanksgiving, I probably wouldn't have done that w/ two. However, holiday's like that only happen a few times a year, and it wouldn't kill me to leave him and another pup at home.

On the other hand, I really enjoy agility classes and obedience classes w/ Jackson. I'd feel REALLY guilty leaving Jackson at home and taking a puppy to do these things... I just don't think I could do it, lol. I think it'd be different if I had a hubby at home that Jackson was equally as close to, or something, but I'm his "one and only" so to speak, so I would never want to only take the next dog somewhere, and leave him at home for any reason.

See, the thing is, my dad and his wife have 2 dogs... but they are pretty much home all the time. They don't do training things with the dogs, they have a fenced in backyard and are settled obviously with a child, the only time they travel is on their RV which they bring both dogs with them. So for them, it was barely a difference at all going from one to two.

I kind of get a 'trial run' this coming weekend. I am staying at my grandma's house while she is away so it will be me, Jackson and her Lab. I am planning on taking them to the dog park, maybe even Petsmart, and seeing how it is w/ two.

[Poochieheaven]

Originally Posted by Britster

Thanks Maggie!! I do know Jackson gets a ton of training and socialization and exercise w/o a sibling too. I always just feel so guilty when he just looks so bored and lonely at home, and then I see him at my dads house (with their 2 dogs) just SO happy. Granted, he picks up their annoying habits when they're all together... but in general, the 3 of them just have a BLAST together.

I agree with Quicksilver, I think if the right dog comes along, I will not pass up on it. But for now, you are right -- I am lucky to have Jackson.

What about getting a cat?

Piper and Jax play a ton. While they can't play tug, they chase each other around all the time and wrestle.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by QuickSilver

For you guys that have more than one, have you considered just taking one out on errands?

Originally Posted by Sweet Apple

I do this, once in a while, but omg'sh, are the others ticked off

I do it often, and yes, the one left behind is angry and disappointed even though there is still a human in the house. It's not like they are alone.

I adore Teddy and wouldn't have missed out on him for the world, but life was much easier with just Max.

[CouversMom]

Originally Posted by viviansnickers

Think long and hard about your fav things to do with Jackson. Is it possible for you to do the same things with 2??? This is how I decided to start looking for a brother for Snick. These are my fav things to do with him, and can I do the same with 2???

1. Go for walks...yes w/ 2.
2. Go to the doggy mall...yes w/ 2 but won't be able to shop now, just walk around. I am willing to give this up, b/c honestly, I LOVED taking Snick in my Kwigy Bo, but shopping with him was always very HARD. So we always pretty much just ended up walking around and if I REALLY wanted to go in a store, in the Kwigy Bo he went. I technically can still shop if my husband comes.
3. Visit my parents & inlaws- yes w/ 2.
4. Go on vacations w/ my husband and afford it. Yes w/ 2 after getting a new dog nanny. She is amazing and am excited to have my 2 boys stay with her in the future. I found someone who does NOT do it for the money, she just loves dogs. And she is VERY experienced. It was a blessing I found her.


Now...things I can't do with one, but can with 2!! This is where it gets interesting for me....

1. Feeling guilty leaving Snick home while we work. Getting a 2nd is self explanatory. Snick has a buddy!! Then can play, sleep, entertain one another.
2. Leaving Snick in the evenings when we want to go out. We feel so GUILTY doing this!!! We are still newlyweds and doing the whole night life thing is hard and we almost revolve our lives around him and if my parents or inlaws can watch Snick so we don't feel horrible leaving him home alone for more than 2-3 hours. With a 2nd, we won't feel horrible when we leave them home alone for a more lenghty time period, and we can enjoy ourselves. We don't take Snick everywhere we go, and the places we do take him, we could take 2.
3. Snick's separation anxiety will get better FOR SURE!!! He is doing ok now, but he LOVES other dogs, and this will help us a TON. You've heard how Snick is at his current nanny's...he is awesome w/ the other dogs and being alone with them.

This thread is awesome and has given you and me BOTH a ton to think about!!!!!

HUGS-
Snick & Viv

I really like your lists Vivian I really thought when I got two I wouldn't be able to take them anywhere... However, because Khloe is so small, I take them both together everywhere. They both ride in their Kwigy Bo, and I don't have to ever leave one home without the other. The only time I've taken one without the other was when I had to drop Khloe off at the vet before school and couldn't take Couver. I felt so guilty because Couver gave me the stink eye and was not happy with me. I couldn't imagine having to leave them home for the trips that we take.

However, I have my husband... so I do not think I would have two if it weren't for him. When we are out and about and have to pick up and carry them in a store to go shopping, he's always there to carry one of them.

I know I thought about this a LOT before I added Khloe. I definitely do not think any dog will be as special to me as Couver, but Khloe is special in her own way

Good luck in your decision Brittany!

[CouversMom]

Originally Posted by Poochieheaven

What about getting a cat?

Piper and Jax play a ton. While they can't play tug, they chase each other around all the time and wrestle.

Oh geez, I would never get a cat again! I have two cats (and I love them with all my heart), but they are so messy! They shed like crazy and because I don't let them go outside because I love them too much, and their litter boxes are stinky and messy. They will have forever homes with me, but never again will I own another cat

[Poochieheaven]

Originally Posted by CouversMom

Oh geez, I would never get a cat again! I have two cats (and I love them with all my heart), but they are so messy! They shed like crazy and because I don't let them go outside because I love them too much, and their litter boxes are stinky and messy. They will have forever homes with me, but never again will I own another cat

Haha. My cat is more like a dog, so he is pretty cool.

As far as shedding...when you have a 115lb long haired GSD cat hair seems pretty nice

[Britster]

Lol, I'm not really a cat person. I don't know why... just never have been. The two cats at my dads house drive me nuts. They sleep all day and are up ALL night and you just hear them upstairs rummaging around. Jackson will get along with them, he would never hurt them or anything, and has even tolerated being groomed by one of the cats a few times, but the minute the cat is... it's CHASE! He continually will chase cats or bark at them. And he's known them since we brought him home at 9 weeks old. He's just too focused on a cat. I don't think I could ever live with a cat and a dog, LOL. Plus I hate litter boxes! But it was a nice suggestion, hehe!

[boopster]

My reason for only one dog: right now I have One dog and one significant other of 15 years. If I were to bring home another dog, I would have 2 dogs and no s.o. I have to respect his desire for no more dogs because he really wanted to be free of responsibilities after raising his kids, and he gave in on Tallulah to make me happy.

I think Tallulah would love a permanent playmate but I'm doing the next best thing by taking her to Yorkie Camp while I'm at work.

I would not be concerned about not being able to love a second pet. Each animal is different and you forge a different but special bond with each. The pros and cons others have listed are excellent arguments for both sides.

[ChibiLuv]

Chibi is an only child at the moment. His first years I wanted to just focus on him, and believe me he was a handfull but now he is mostly well behaved I am planning on getting him a sister. I wanted Chibi to be a good example for a new dog and hopefully not teach it bad habits. I imagine its a bit like having human kids, you can have mulitple but it doesnt mean your love for any of them is less.You have to make sure it's right for you though, more dogs is more time and more care and love. And once I get 2 I can't imagine just taking one anywhere, but thats one of the million reasons I love yorkies, you could probably take five of them with you and it would be like one big dog lol!

[salazark]

We had Sadie and my 19 year old cat. In a crazy way they kept each other company when we were at work. After Mischeif died last January I felt so guilty just going to work. We got Beemer in March and it was the best thing we ever did for Sadie. She definately didn't think so at first though!!

I train Sadie and have taken agility with her also. It really is so much harder with two. I can do simple things with both of them but to do real training I have to take one to a different part of the house (and listen to the other one whine!) My stepson and his lab mix is living with us now and that's even made it more difficult. The dogs all get along great but I can't leave the lab alone with one of the Yorkies while I go work with the other. I do have a husband and pretty much to do any real training either he or my stepson has to be home. Training them is important to me as I know it is to you. It is difficult but not impossible.

I also worried about not being able to love another one like I love Sadie. The training creates such a bond. She is my best bud! That has not been an issue at all. I love them both so very much.

We do take them with us when we travel. We just bring their playpens and it's worked out fine. I haven't flown with both of them yet, but I will if it comes up. I also have a great friend that loves to keep them for me if I need it.

I will repeat though. Getting Beemer has been the best thing we've ever done for Sadie. She is so completely happy now. Even the training isn't a replacement for that. I wouldn't change a thing!