Why You Shouldn’t Get a Dog Just for Your Dog
I recently chatted with a family member who had just welcomed their first dog and was already contemplating getting a second one "so the dog has a friend." This is a common consideration among those with a single dog, and while I completely understand the sentiment, it’s not something I typically recommend.
Many people observe families with multiple dogs and assume their own pet would naturally benefit from having a companion. However, adding a second dog is not merely about doubling the enjoyment; it also means doubling the time, expenses, responsibilities, and the potential for behavioral issues.
As a trainer, I’ve witnessed both success stories and challenging situations. Here’s a candid examination of why acquiring a second dog solely to entertain your first may not be the best decision.
The Financial Reality
Bringing home a second dog effectively doubles your costs. Expenses for food, veterinary care, preventive treatments, grooming, training, and equipment can accumulate quickly. Many owners only realize the financial impact after the second dog has settled in, leaving them to manage the increased expenses.
More Dogs Don’t Always Mean Less Boredom
While it's true that dogs can play together and provide companionship for one another, this doesn’t replace the need for human interaction. Two under-stimulated or poorly trained dogs can generate more chaos instead of less. They tend to learn from one another, sometimes picking up undesirable behaviors such as barking, digging, pulling, reactivity, and heightened excitement as they feed off each other's energy.
The Risk of Co-Dependence
When two dogs are raised closely together, particularly if they're similar in age, they can develop an unhealthy reliance on one another. This co-dependence may lead to separation anxiety when they are apart, making it difficult for them to be alone, crate-trained separately, or enjoy individual outings. It also hinders their ability to cultivate individual confidence and independence—qualities every dog truly needs.
Possibility of Developing Littermate Syndrome
You don’t need actual littermates for littermate-like issues to arise. Two young dogs raised together may struggle to bond with their humans, become overly focused on each other, show increased fearfulness, or develop rivalry and tension as they mature. While not every pair experiences this, it is common enough in the training world to warrant attention.
Personality Matters
Just like humans, not all dogs naturally get along. Without proper boundaries and structure, personality conflicts can occur, leading to rough play that escalates, resource guarding, hormonal changes that create tension, or even fighting as they age. These problems often don’t manifest during the adorable puppy stage but can emerge as the dogs reach maturity.
The Need for Individual Time and Training
One unexpected aspect is that every dog requires its own training, walks, playtime, and bonding moments with their humans. If we don’t intentionally promote independence, dogs may default to co-dependence, which is where many issues begin.
Maintaining separate training plans and offering meaningful one-on-one time with each dog is crucial, but it also demands a significant commitment.
So… Should You Add Another Dog?
Before making your decision, consider these questions:
Can I comfortably afford the full care of another dog?
Do I have the time to invest in each dog as an individual?
Am I prepared for crate training, potty training, and obedience training all over again?
Can I maintain structure and boundaries as they grow?
If your answer is a confident yes, then adding another dog might be a suitable fit for your family.
However, if your answer is no, or even “not right now,” that's perfectly okay and often the wisest choice. Your dog doesn’t need another dog to feel fulfilled.