another puppy playmate?

chrisandsarahwedding

We have a 2 year old corgi, and are wondering if we should get another dog for him to have a playmate. He is high strung and used to live with another dog at my parents house. Even with walks everyday he is still high energy.

We are just debating if we should hold off on getting another and wait until after we try to have children or get one now and do all the work involved with training a new puppy before we have our little ones. Just looking for advice

 

dmarie979

When I was married we had 3 dogs. Due to the divorce, I took my dog with me and XH took his. I always thought my dog was lonely so I adopted a 5 month old puppy. Let's just say that my first dog probably didn't like that idea. He really doesn't want much to do with her and probably would have been happy being the only dog. Obviously I don't regret getting the second dog but if you are doing it just so your pup has a playmate, just remember that it may not work out this way!

If you do adopt a second dog, why a puppy? Why not adopt one from a local rescue that is more his age/size? If you do a few meet and greets before you adopt, you will have a better sense as to how your first dog will get along with the second.

Also, if you decide that you don't want to adopt another dog, have you tried taking him to a play group or doggy day care? I take my pit to a Saturday play group and she loves it! She gets to socialize plus it is burning different energy than taking a walk.

Mryan209

I personally always suggest against getting a dog to entertain the other.  And are you currently pregnant and considering a puppy as in 2 - 3 months old?  I couldn't imagine having an active dog, a puppy, and a newborn.

Sometimes dogs entertain each other, but sometimes they don't.  Think about doubling all the time and energy you put into your first dog.  If you're not prepared for that, then getting a second dog probably isn't a good option right now.

smeyer828

I have two dogs and wouldn't have it any other way.  We don't have children yet and I'm glad we brought both into our family before having kids.  This way we were able to spend more time with the dogs and they'll be settled when we do decide to have kids.  Our dogs play together all the time and really seem to enjoy having one another, although I know that isn't always the case.  Both of our dogs are pretty laid back and we adopted both of them when they were a couple years old (a few years apart) so it is a bit of a different situation.  It definitely works for us though.

kellbell1919

We adopted our first dog when he was 2 and got him a sister when he was 4.  We were living in the middle of nowhere, he had nobody to play with, and his separation anxiety was controlled but not perfect.  We drove him to all the local shelters and let him play with 10 or so different dogs.  When we found Molly the two of them were instantly running and wrestling together and when they stopped playing she started licking his ear.  Having her has made his life so much better and happier...I think adopting an adult, knowing his personality, and choosing a dog who complimented his personality were all key.  The plus side is that she was an owner surrender, so already potty trained, etc. She has slid into the family dynamic easily and fits in beautifully after only 2 months.  If anything, having two under our circumstances is easier than having one.