Many
people consider getting another dog
because they want a friend and companion
for the dog they already have. In some
cases, this can be a great idea…
assuming that the family also wants an
additional pet for themselves. Not only
because they think the dog wants a dog.
Before making the decision to get
another dog, it’s important to examine
exactly why you’re considering another
pet. Is it because your dog has
separation anxiety and you’re hoping a
canine companion will help him to cope
when you go out? Or perhaps because your
current dog is energetic and mischievous
and you’re hoping a friend will help him
to burn off energy? Read on!
A dog is an animal. Although it’s
difficult to think of our furry family
members this way, the fact is that they
are animals who instinctively relate to
the others in their household as their
pack. If a dog has a behavior problem
that involves the pecking order (such as
being uncomfortable when the pack leader
is not at home or lack of following
house rules), another dog is not going
to teach him to change his ways. In fact
the new dog, who will likely bond with
the other canine in the house, is more
likely to learn these negative behaviors
from the first dog!
Assuming the dog you already have is
well adjusted and nicely behaved, a
second dog is still going to require
training and work on your part. Just as
you wouldn’t expect a child to
single-handedly teach a new baby to be
potty trained or not to run in the
street, so will your new dog need to
learn these things from you… not from
your dog.
Another thing to remember is that each
dog has their own personality, even if
they’re the same breed. The docile
labrador retriever that already graces
your hearth could have a progeny who
chews it out of its frame!
Of course, there are other things to
consider when thinking about getting
another pet, including the double
expenses of food, veterinary care and
grooming. Other factors include double
the vacuuming, twice the barking and the
increased bill for boarding when you go
out of town.
If these factors have all been taken
into consideration and you still want
another dog, then congratulations…
you’re ready for another dog! Perhaps
like my family did, you actually want
another pet for yourself and not just
for your pet (yes, one of our cats is
technically our cat’s cat that we got
for his birthday).
On the other hand, if the facts
mentioned above are making you think
twice, you’ll just have to resist (your
dog’s?) pleas of “Pweeze can we get
another dawg?”
Article Written By Lori
Verni
Lori Verni is a
freelance writer, Certified Master
Trainer and owner of
Best Paw Forward
Dog Education
in Holly Springs, NC. She also proudly
brings you all of the free articles on
FreeDogTrainingInfo.com,
and has a book available: Everything You
Need to Know About House Training
Puppies & Adult Dogs. The book can be
purchased at
www.FreeDogTrainingInfo.com.
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