Your neighbors hear it too! You can’t really afford doggie daycare, but you don’t want your best friend to feel lonely all day, either. Maybe he should have a companion, but how does that even work? Is it really a good idea?
Before making any big decisions, you must consider whether getting another canine is legally or financially feasible for you at this time. If you can answer “yes” to these questions, accommodating another dog could offer your dog the socialization it craves.
Consider Your Finances and Living Situation
Before making any major decisions when adopting a new dog, you should consider whether your living situation permits it. Your decision-making process may involve asking:
“Does My Lease Agreement Allow for Two Pets?”
If you’re a renter, it is important to check over your lease agreement and see if there are restrictions on the type and amount of pets you can have on your property and whether there is a fee associated with the addition. Some lease agreements will state requirements such as size, weight, and prohibited breeds. Your new addition will have to fit into those requirements, or you could easily find yourself re-homing your new companion, or even yourself.
“Does My HOA Allow for Two Pets?”
Most of the time, homeowners have fewer issues to deal with when it comes to restrictions on their private property, but if your neighborhood has a Homeowners Association, be sure to check their requirements. Even if your original agreement didn’t have any restrictions, rules can be updated and changed. These changes often grandfather in previous residents but wouldn’t apply to a new dog and you may find yourself forced to re-home a new companion. If you own a condo, check with your property manager.
“Can I Afford It?”
Usually, it is quite affordable to add a second dog. Bulk prices on pet food reduce the amount of expense and most pet insurance policies have “family plans” for those of us with more than one dog, so it doesn’t necessarily have to be a double expense.
Vets often have reduced pricing when providing check-ups, preventative care, or sterilization for more than one pet in the same household, and lots of clinics run specials multiple times a year where prices for some services are greatly reduced. You could also get pet insurance. That said, if you are struggling to meet the basic needs of your household, it’s best to wait until your circumstances improve.
My advice here is to budget for double the expense, find the deals, and use the excess to buy toys and accessories for your deserving canine companions. If they already have everything they need, throw it in a dog emergency fund or buy extra food and donate it to your local rescue. They can always use the help.
“Does Everyone in the Household Agree?”
Family members in your household who will be expected to contribute to the care of your companions should be fully on board before a final decision is made. In situations where housing is shared with roommates, even if they won’t be expected to provide care, it is even more important to have a consensus, this kind of conflict can get ugly fast, so be sure to have an open discussion ahead of time.
Getting Another Dog Could Be Beneficial
Getting a dog for your dog is almost always a great idea, and this applies even if you are home a lot. The majority of dogs will enjoy having a playmate available at all times, their daily exercise increases, and they have a mate to cuddle with even when you’re not around. This combination helps reduce anxiety, stress, and loneliness, and keeps your pups physically healthier too. Overall dog happiness increases, which also helps to curb boredom behaviors, such as excessive chewing and separation anxiety.
This doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t hear that soundtrack of misery every morning. More than likely you’ll get an epic duet, but moments later they’ll be busy playing together instead of driving your neighbors to the brink of insanity with never-ending sounds of sorrow.
Adding a second dog also has its perks for humans. If you’re in a two or more-person household, having two dogs to walk gives someone else a chance to tag along. If there are multiple children in the house, having an extra companion for comfort or play is exceptionally wonderful.
When Getting Another Dog Isn’t a Good Idea
Sometimes, we have to say no. Even when all the legalities and finances are aligned, it is important to recognize when a secondary addition may not be appropriate. Some of these can be remedied and some simply can’t.
If your dog is reactive or aggressive toward other dogs, it is important to address this situation prior to making an addition. This can be remedied, but it takes time, effort, and sometimes a professional trainer needs to be employed.
Chronically ill dogs that are medically frail and need a lot of rest, interventions, or space may not have the patience or will to deal with a new puppy. It is also true that sometimes integrating a new friend can have positive emotional and physical effects for them, so consult your vet for advice on your specific situation.
Senior Dogs Take Longer to Adapt to Change
Senior dogs that have spent a lifetime as king of the castle may have a harder time adjusting to a new companion, especially if the new addition is very young. Even if your dog is amazing with others at the dog park, four-legged strangers may not be as welcome on his private territory.
Lack of space can also be an issue; some dogs like to have private safe spaces where they can retreat to when overwhelmed or scared. If you don’t have enough areas in your home that can be off-limits to others, this could create some unwanted behavioral issues. It doesn’t have to be a huge space, even a simple open crate in a corner can serve this purpose.
Conclusion
Deciding whether to get your dog a companion is a significant choice that depends on your pet’s temperament, your lifestyle, and your ability to manage two pets. While a second dog can provide companionship and enrichment, it also requires additional time, training, and resources. Carefully consider your dog’s needs and your capacity to care for another pet before making this important decision.
