Dog Training Advice – What To Consider When Bringing Home a 2nd Dog?

Dog Training Advice from Eazy Dog Training – What To Consider When Bringing Home a Second Dog?

Are you considering getting another dog? Go ahead, I have two and I highly recommend it! But even though two well-trained adult dogs are as easy as having just one (in my opinion) there are a few essential things to consider before you commit to two dogs. Unfortunately, it is not as easy as people often think and it’s certainly not a situation of “get two for one”. It’s more of a ‘double the work’ situation to start with especially if you bring home a puppy. Here is why! Dog Training Advice from Eazy Dog Training:

1. Puppies require daily training and management, this can not be outsourced to an older dog. This is the harsh reality with puppies, they are like human babies in the sense that they require a lot of daily effort from you for training for good manners and management for preventing unwanted behaviours. They should not be allowed to constantly pester older dogs (or other family members), for example. A lot of the time older dogs do not even enjoy puppies and they should be respected and offered their own private time away from the puppy. This requires at least 20 minutes of daily training for good manners and a lot of management throughout the day that must be done by you. Do you have the time and energy to do this?
2. Two dogs must be trained separately, only solid/learnt behaviours can be trained at the same time. I find this to be the hardest thing about having two dogs, especially when the second one is still very young. To build solid obedience skills (or even tricks and other skills!) dogs must learn them individually on their own. If you try and train two dogs at the same time there’s a high chance of confusing them since your timing for marking and rewarding behaviours will be off. Do you have the time and energy to train two dogs daily?
3. Walks must be done separately first to build confidence and leash manners skills. This is another very time-consuming factor of having a puppy. They must learn to walk on their own and gain confidence in the world on their own so that they do not learn to rely on another dog and then fall apart mentally without them. I have met a lot of dogs who can not cope without their pack members and it’s a very sad life for these dogs. Especially with puppies, walks and socialisation must be done on their own daily for the first few months! Some of the walks can of course be done with both of the dogs but there will be additional walks with the puppy only. Can you do this?
4. Separation and independence must be trained daily for the first few months. It’s very common for people to think that two dogs will keep each other company and yes, this is true. However one should never rely on this to be enough. All dogs, no matter the lifestyle should be trained to cope alone since NO ONE can promise to never leave their dog alone. Believe me, working closely with a rescue organisation and as a trainer, I have met a lot of dogs with severe separation anxiety who were never meant to be left alone. Since we do not know what the future holds, all dogs should be taught crucial life skills such as feeling positive about being on their own. Are you ready to do this and set up your house so that you can train independence?
5. Two dogs are more expensive to upkeep than just one. And finally, have you considered the expenses two dogs require? Food, toys, mental stimulation, training, health and insurance all cost money and unexpected things can always come up. If you’re on a budget, I recommend reconsidering.