From: toolan@stsci.edu
Subject: Re: Need Thoughts on getting second dog
Organization: Space Telescope Science Institute
Distribution: na
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1993 14:18:04 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!
> 
> 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).

	You don't say whether you are considering adopting an older dog or
	whether you're planning on a puppy, which would entail more work than 
	an older dog.  The activity of the dogs would depend on age and breed.
	Our first dog was a hyper miniature poodle who was in dire need of
	company.  The companion we got for him was a super laid-back two-
	year-old Lhasa-poo.  We didn't notice any increase in activity in the
	poodle, but he was active to begin with.  The difference in behavior
	when we weren't home was amazing, however.  Brandy changed from a
	barking, howling, whining banshee to a quiet couch potato.  (Well,
	quiet unless someone dared to come to HIS door. :-)  )  The only
	hitch was that when we had Josh euthanized due to cancer ten years
	later, Brandy's howling started anew.  Enter a new #2 dog--this time
	a Greyhound (I know, quite a change, but we'd fallen in love with the
	breed, and we'd moved to a bigger house with a decent sized fenced
	yard.)  Initially, all Brandy did was bark at the interloper, who
	essentially ignored him.  However, the howling stopped when we were
	not at home.  Three years later, we felt it time to euthanize Brandy,
	whose health had been failing rapidly for some time.  Amber seemed
	perfectly content to be an only dog, but WE missed having two dogs.
	Enter Topaz, Greyhound #2.  Other than making sure that Topaz knew SHE
	was boss, Amber readily accepted Topaz.  (Amber barks and Topaz seems
	to say, "Yes Ma'am!  Where would you like me to go, Ma'am?")  So far as
	I know, the dogs have always slept whenever we haven't been home.
	When we ARE home during the day, all they do is sleep; but then,
	Greyhounds tend to be couch potatoes, anyway. :-)

	I really don't know if having two dogs makes the transition required
	when having a child any easier or not.  Shortly after Topaz came to us,
	we had a child placed with us for adoption (a 10-year-old boy).  This
	was an advantage to the dogs, since the boy is a real animal lover and
	he didn't need to be taught how to treat the dogs.  The addition of a
	baby would be a totally different situation that I have no experience
	with.  Chris really helped us "gentle" Topaz, since she was totally
	terrified of men.  Evidently children hadn't hurt Topaz--she'd come to
	Chris (or me) willingly.  Amber's reaction to Chris' sudden appearence
	was, "Yea, two more hands to pet me!"  We've had to devote a tremendous
	amount of time to Chris, since a child of that age coming to adoption 
	through the foster care system carries a heavy load of emotional 
	baggage along with him. :-(  The Greyhounds have been wonderful with 
	him--they ignore his tantrums and his sax practice, even bedding down 
	in the same room while they're going on.  They make it clear they 
	accept him just as he is, and I know that means a lot to him.  BTW,
	Greyhounds have a reputation of being excellent with children, and ours
	certainly are great with kids of ALL ages.

> 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.

	The transition period in our succession of #2 dogs never really
	lasted more than a week or two.  If your first dog is well socialized
	and the new one is also (Greyhounds are accustomed to being in large
	groups), it shouldn't take very long.  If you adopt a dog from a
	rescue group, most will ask you to return the dog to them if if
	doesn't work out; I know Greyhound Pets of America does this.  Many
	breeders will also take back one of their pups if things don't work
	out.  PLEASE don't buy a pup from a pet store!
> 
> Thanks in advance for any discussion.
> -- Carol Mount
> hogpa!cjsm

	I hope this helps.

		*	*	*	*	*
				*
	Sharon Toolan		*	My opinions are my own;
	toolan@stsci.edu	*	No one else would want them.
				*
		*	*	*	*	*

	      Make a fast friend--adopt a Greyhound!

"Mom" to Amber (8 year old retired racing Greyhound),
	 Topaz (3.5 year old retired racing Greyhound), and
	 Chris (11 year old son and self-appointed dog trainer)