Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We have one male Papillon who is 9 months old. He is a spoiled baby!

Right now he is only home alone 2 days a week but if my husband switches schedules like he wants to do, he will be home alone 4-5 days a week.

I know he is sad when we are gone and bummed out to see us leave. I don't think he has seperation anxiety though. We don't make a big deal about coming and going and usually leave music on for him.

We were considering getting a second dog as company for Cosmo. But I am unsure. I don't want to ruin the good thing we have going. We know of a dog who is a perfect angel and extremely sweet that a friend of ours found but can't keep. We may have a trial run with her.

What are the pros and cons of getting/having a second dog?

Thanks in advance.

pros would be, companionship for your current dog, dogs tend to do better when they have a full time pack instead of a pack that comes and goes.
on the other hand though.. do you have the time to train the new dog?
are you going to alter the dogs?
theres always a chance the dogs will get into a fight are you prepared for this?
are either dogs food aggressive or do they try to dominate over other dogs?
and what will you do to keep the dogs busy while you're gone?
how's the dog you're considering getting with being left at home?

>>We have one male Papillon who is 9 months old. He is a spoiled baby!
>>
>>Right now he is only home alone 2 days a week but if my husband switches schedules like he wants to do, he will be home alone 4-5 days a week.
>>
>>I know he is sad when we are gone and bummed out to see us leave. I don't think he has seperation anxiety though. We don't make a big deal about coming and going and usually leave music on for him.
>>
>>We were considering getting a second dog as company for Cosmo. But I am unsure. I don't want to ruin the good thing we have going. We know of a dog who is a perfect angel and extremely sweet that a friend of ours found but can't keep. We may have a trial run with her.
>>
>>What are the pros and cons of getting/having a second dog?
>>
>>Thanks in advance.

>>>>>>>>>

I always recommend waiting two years between adding new dogs, and fully train each one before adding another. Also make the second dog be opposite sex from the first.

Dogs sleep 14 hours a day or more, so he's probably sleeping when you're out. Only dogs can do fine.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

The choice to get another dog should be for yourselves, not for your dog.

As long as your dog gets enough attention when you are home, a second dog during the day is not a requirement. Dogs adjust their schedules and sleep when we are away from them and active when we are home.

It may take a week or so to adjust to the new schedule, but rest assured, a well loved dog with lots of attention can handle their owners being gone for work during a regular work week. I know it's tough on us humans to leave our pets, but they are fine when we are away.
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PHReign
Email me: HReign@pethobbyist.com" target="_blank">PHReign@pethobbyist.com
Dear dog,
I can not buy anything larger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think that I will continue to sleep on the couch to ensure your comfort. Look at videos of dogs sleeping, they can actually curl up in a ball. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other stretched out to your fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straigt out and having tongues hanging out the other end to maximize space used is nothing more than doggy sarcasm.