10 things you should consider before adopting a second dog

Ok, so you've got one big loving bundle of fluff in your home. But, for some reason, you feel that your furry friend needs another dog to keep it company while you're not there.

Or, perhaps you just can't resist and feel like your home should have another dog in?

Well, whatever the reason is for getting a second dog, we suggest you think wisely.

It can be tempting to get caught up in the moment when thinking of bringing another dog home. But you need to evaluate the pros and cons before doing so.

To help bring you back to reality and think rationally, we've compiled a list of information about bringing home a second dog.

1.  Think about the reason for the adoption

What is the exact reason for adopting a second dog? Think about it carefully and make sure all the people in your house agree to it. Therefore we suggest talking to others in your home to see if they're happy. After all, two dogs are responsible, and others may not want to deal with the extra work. 

2.  Consider your first dog's reaction

Your first dog is already a family member; this means you need to think about how it will behave. Does it like other dogs, or does it just like to be with humans?

Certain dogs don't like to adapt to change and may naturally feel left out when a new dog comes into the house. Similarly, some dogs don't enjoy sharing their personal space either.

Not every dog is the same; you know your dog better than anyone else.

3.Can you afford it?

By now, you should know that buying a dog and maintaining one is not cheap. Think about its vet bills, food bills, and grooming costs. As well as new household items you will need to buy like a bed, toys, collar, and a crate. Do you have the finances to cover it? 

4. Do you have time to spare?

Getting a second dog means you have to devote your time again to raise it from a puppy. This means you will have to train it, socialize it and feed it.

You need to teach it the skills to grow and also not leave it alone. Puppies can still suffer from separation anxiety. Plus, if you have a busy job, an outgoing lifestyle or have any kids, you may not have the time to spare to raise another dog.

5. What space do you have?

When adopting a second dog, you need to consider what spaces are available for your second dog. Do you have a spare room or areas to fit its belonging, such as a dog bed and food bowl? If you're living in a cramped house or apartment already, we advise against bringing a second dog home.

6. Can you deal with the mess?

Yes, we know you've done this before, and you're probably thinking it's going to be easier to raise a dog this time. Well, let us tell you a secret.

It isn't.

We say this because if you have two dogs; the mess is going to double up. That means twice the amount of hair, twice the amount of poop and pee to clean up as well as paw prints.

If you're someone who takes pride in their home, then this may be tedious for you. Similarly, if you don't have the time, then the dirt and mess could build-up, causing you to live in a pigsty.

7. What is the noise like in your house and neighborhood?

You will want to reflect on your dog. Does it bark a lot? Similarly, if you live with many people, you might want to think if it's noisy. As well as your neighbors if there are other animals or cars nearby.

If you live in a noisy neighborhood or house, it may make it difficult for a second dog to adapt to the surroundings, and they could bark more. This means more of a headache for you as a dog owner.

8. Do you have the energy to train another dog?

Remember the fun-filled and easy going time you had while training your first dog?

Yeah, we don't believe that either. As you know, training a dog is so time-consuming and takes a lot of persistence, patience, and effort.

The success of training does not just happen overnight; in fact, it's a slow process and requires a lot of commitment.

Do you have the energy in you to train it?

9. Dogs don't solve separation anxiety

If you're looking to get a new dog to solve your puppy's separation anxiety simply, then you are getting a dog for the wrong reason. If your existing dog is distressed, the new dog could learn the behavior and develop it.

10. That your existing dog is properly trained

It's also essential that the dog you currently own is well trained. If not, your puppy could detect certain tendencies and adopt bad behavior, which may make it difficult for them to train.