If you follow me on my social media, you may be aware that I recently faced the toughest decision of my life: I had to give full custody of my wonderful beagle, Luna, to my ex. This choice was not made lightly, and for personal reasons, I won’t delve into specifics. I felt a significant hole in my heart, and I realised that the best way to begin healing was to welcome a new dog into my life. Again this decision was not taken lightly, no dog can ever be replaced and if you know the relationship I had with Luna then you will know she could never be replaced. A new dog would have severely big paws to fill. In September, I welcomed Edith into my life; she’s a Cavapoochon and truly a delightful bundle of joy. I can already hear your thoughts—while a Cavapoochon may be quite different from a beagle, there are many compelling reasons to choose this breed. Edith was set to be the second dog in our home, as my partner moved in with her two-year-old Maltipoo. The dream dog breed will have to wait a little longer.
After living for many years in a one-dog household, I now find myself with two dogs sharing the same roof. There are factors to consider before adding a second dog to your home, it should not be a decision that is made lightly.
Putting the already existing dog first
It’s essential to consider the current dog in your home. Assess whether they get along well with other dogs, identify any behavioural areas that they struggle with, and determine if they are comfortable with a new dog entering their space. Introducing a new dog, particularly an energetic puppy, can be a challenging adjustment for an established dog. If your answers to these questions suggest that bringing a second dog into your household may not be the best choice, trust your instincts.
Other factors to consider
It’s important to choose the breed carefully. If you already own a dog that requires a lot of your time and attention, or perhaps you own a working breed that needs lots of ongoing training then choosing a breed that will fit in with all of that is important.
What will be the costs of adding a second dog to your home? Think about the cost of food, vet bills, insurance, pet sitters etc.
If you are thinking of getting a puppy, do you have the time to socialise and train the puppy without the second dog?
There are many wrong reasons to add a second dog to your home. Often people think adding another dog will help cure the current dog's separation anxiety, however as much as a second dog may alleviate some of the anxiety it will not deal with the underlying feelings that are causing the anxiety. It may actually turn out that both dogs then suffer from separation anxiety, and the problem is much worse.
My experience
In all honesty, I genuinely enjoy having two dogs, but it does bring its own set of challenges. My time is now divided, which means I can't train Edith as much as I would like. Additionally, it requires more planning to ensure that Gladys is either entertained or comfortable spending some time alone. Bringing up a puppy in a household with an existing dog is actually quite hard work, the things that I could do if it was just Edith I can’t just do without careful thought .For instance, I would love to give Edith more Kongs and Lickimats, but I don’t because I want to manage Gladys's weight and avoid giving her too many extra treats. Additionally, I often don't have the time to walk them separately, which can make some walks a little more challenging and time-consuming. Saying all of that, I absolutely love having two dogs and I wouldn't change a thing. Edith and Gladys are the best of friends; they play beautifully together, sharing toys and chews. They always seek each other out when it's time to sleep and nap on top of each other. Both dogs remain quite independent and don't overly depend on one another. I made it a priority to ensure that Edith has time to herself, enjoys her own walks, and embraces her individuality.
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