I’m a dog lover, and currently own two dogs, Maya and Chief. Maya is almost 4.5 and Chief is 2.5 years old. I had Maya for 2 years before deciding to get Chief, and it was not an easy decision. I put a lot of work into Maya to make her an extremely well behaved, obedient dog, and I didn’t want to mess up a good thing by bringing another dog into the picture.
In the end, I decided to get another dog and it has been absolutely amazing. The two dogs are crazy about each other, are best friends and playmates and you really couldn’t ask for a better situation. Still, there are few things I can share from my experience that you should definitely look out for and consider before getting another canine.
Is Your First Dog Well Behaved?
Before you get a second dog, be sure that you have done a solid job training your first one. One important reason is that your second dog will learn from your first dog, and if your first dog has bad habits and is poorly trained, you’re asking for a bad experience. A second dog should never be a “make-up” for the first dog you didn’t put enough effort into. Spend more time with your first dog and prove that you can be a good dog trainer before getting a second. While the two dogs may play together, it certainly is not a fix to go out and get a second dog that will tire your other dog out.