Does Your Dog Want a Sibling?
You may look at your dog every once in a while and think, “Would they be happier living with another dog in the house?” Certainly, there are many multi-dog households in which the puppers look content to share their treats, toys, and favorite humans with a furry sibling.
But, adopting a second dog comes with pros and cons, and it’s important to consider all possible outcomes before bringing home a new family member. In this article, we’ll talk about whether your dog is really ready for a new roomie.
Reasons why your dog might like to live with a pal
There are many potential benefits to having more than one dog, including:
- Companionship. Like us, dogs are social creatures that often feel more comfortable in a pack. That’s why, if properly socialized and introduced, you may find that your dog is more at ease and happy when with their best fur friend. You might also find that they sleep more soundly with the comfort and security of a canine bedmate.
- Exercise. As much as you may strive to give your dog enough exercise, there’s nothing quite like another dog to really bring out the athlete in your furry friend. As long as you’re able to find a dog with a similar playstyle to your pup, the two of them are sure to tire each other out.
- The matching outfits. Okay, this is more of a benefit for you, but the fact is: dogs in matching pajamas are adorable.
Situations that aren’t ideal for a second pet
Now, onto the bad news: not all dogs are going to be happy about becoming a sibling. That’s not to say that they’ll never come around, but there may be a longer process of integration and stress if you find yourself in one of the following situations:
- Your dog is an introvert. Maybe they didn’t get proper socialization as a pup, they had a bad run-in with a bully at the dog park, or they’re simply more of a lone wolf. The truth is, some dogs will feel more stressed in the presence of other dogs.
- Your dog is intact. This is an especially high concern if you’re introducing unspayed or unneutered dogs of the opposite sex. After all, you can tell them they’re siblings but their instinct will say otherwise. And, unwanted puppies aren’t the only issue. Introducing two unfixed dogs of the same sex can cause aggression.
- Your dog suffers from separation anxiety. There’s a common misconception that getting a dog for your dog with separation anxiety will fix the problem. Unfortunately, that’s not the case, and can actually result in two dogs with separation anxiety. Instead of getting another pup for your nervous one, take a look at our article on reducing separation anxiety.
- Your dog is a bit of a cranky old fart (or worse). It’s also pretty common for dog owners with older dogs to adopt a puppy to bring a little bit of life and excitement back into the household. Plus puppy training can sometimes be easier when there’s an experienced older dog to show the newcomer the ropes. That being said, if your older dog is cranky and less tolerant of energetic dogs than they used to be, it’s probably best not to shake up their world with a new family member.
- You struggle to give your dog enough attention as it is. As much as your dog may appreciate the distraction of a playmate in the house, what they’re really interested in is attention from their favorite human. Introducing a new pet may actually pull your attention away from your dog more because you’ll be focused on training and integrating the new pup into your family. While this may be a temporary situation, it could lead to more behavior problems during the transition process.
- You live in a house with small children. The fact is, the more energy, movement, and personality you have in the household, the more overwhelmed your existing dog may be to newcomers. Your existing dog may become protective over small children or your small children may need to be separated from the dogs until you’re 100% sure that the dogs will get along without fighting.
Again, this is not to say that you can’t adopt a second dog if you fall into one or more of these categories. But, it would be a good idea to consult a trained behaviorist or trainer to ensure the best chance of a successful transition.
Another pet not in the cards? You can find other ways to enrich your dog’s life
Maybe after reading through these considerations, you’ve decided that no, your dog actually doesn’t want a sibling! But, you still want to make some changes to brighten up their life. Here are a few fun alternatives:
- Diversify their routine. Trying out new activities with your dog can give them a new lease on life and invite them to use different parts of their brain. For instance, you might sign them up for obstacle course training or find a dog-friendly swimming pool in your area.
- Take time for more one-on-one training. Dogs of any age can learn new tricks, and in fact, this is a great way to give them a sense of purpose and self-confidence.
- Make small adjustments for big mental enrichment. Interacting with other dogs is potentially good for your dog’s mental health, but there are other ways that you can get their brain to light up! Treat-filled puzzle toys, hide-and-seek games, and driving through new neighborhoods with the windows down (with your BreezeGuard Screens installed for safety, of course!) can all be ways to get your dog’s sniffer and noggin working.
- See how they do in a doggy daycare setting. If you think that interactions with other dogs will do your pooch some good, consider finding them a reputable, friendly doggy daycare. After all, your dog doesn’t need to live with a new furry sibling 24/7 in order to reap the benefits of some canine companionship.