From: schalene@sequent.com (Schalene Dagutis)
Subject: Re: Need Thoughts on getting second dog
Organization: Sequent Computer Systems, Inc.
Distribution: na
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 93 14:43:56 GMT

In article <1993Jan5.170839.21572@cbnewsi.cb.att.com> cotton@cbnewsi.cb.att.com (carol.jean.swanson) writes:
>
>
>I'm just wondering what are the thoughts 
>out there about getting a second dog...
>I'm thinking we should get another one but
>it's starting to look like a very big step!
>
I'm one who thinks a second dog is worthwhile if you're willing to make
the commitment.  

>Is it more work, about the same, or much more work
>to have the second dog? Does it really help keep the first dog company or
>do you now have 2 lonely dogs?  Does the first dog
>get more active if there is another dog around or does
>it depend on the breed?  Also, will 2 dogs making the
>tranisition of having a child later more difficult or easier
>than having one dog.  Or is this even an issue?  I ask 'cause I know
>kids take alot of time which means less time for the dog(s).
>
In some ways it's more work and in some ways, less.  Our dogs are long-
haired and need to be brushed every other day.  Then there's brushing 
their teeth, clipping their claws, ear and eye cleaning, and bathing.
All this is double work.  Before our youngest puppy was leash trained,
there was more work involved in exercising them.  I'd walk the oldest one
alone, then take the puppy out in the back yard for exercise and a brief
training period.  Then there was an additional dog to take to obience
class.  (I'm a firm believer in starting a puppy in "kindergarten" as
soon as he's been through is third set of shots.) 

The bonus is now that they are both house-trained and finished teething 
and have learned what they can and cannot do in the house they are left 
alone together during the day.  This is where the second dog is a blessing.
When we just had one, he was wired from the minute I walked in the door
until bedtime.  I walked him and did his training homework, but he 
was still very active.  Now, I walk in the door, greet them, walk them,
and 20 minutes later they're asleep.  Also, watching them play together
is very entertaining.  I could watch them for hours.  

I can't comment on how they will react with kids.  My husband and I don't
have any and aren't planning on kids.

>Also, if we get the second dog, how long will it
>take us to know if it is going to work out or not?
>2 weeks, a month, more?  I want to make sure we
>can return the second dog if it doesn't work out --
>particularly if the #1 dog and it don't get along.
>

I think you'll know pretty soon.  But be prepared for some rough play
and posturing for a few days until they settle on the proper "pecking
order."  Try not to interfere because the more you do the longer it
will take.  I don't know how to tell you the difference between vocalizing
and fighting, but you'll know it when you see it.  To make it easier on
you, I would suggest getting the opposite sex from the dog you have now.
We didn't do this.  We have two males.  But haven't had any problems.
However, having two males isn't generally recommended. 

When you're interviewing breeders let them know you have another dog.  
They know the temperament of their litter and will probably recommend
one or two possibilies.  Also, try to stay away from the dominant 
puppy in the litter.  Perhaps, read up on some simple temperament tests
you can do when you visit the litter.  Instead of looking at all the
puppies at one time first.  Ask to see each puppy individually and then
perform the temperament tests.  Then after you've decided if there's a
puppy suitable for you in the litter, you can see them all together --
because that is so much fun.

schalene

P.S.  Just as a humorous side note, our oldest dog really helped train
the puppy.  When the puppy piddled where he wasn't supposed to, Max 
dragged him to the door by the ear.  When the puppy didn't come when
called, Max dragged him to me.  It was very funny.