10 Questions to Consider When Adding A Second Dog | Another Golden Retriever

Is getting a second dog a good idea or not? Many people who have a dog often ask themselves whether they should get another. I did! I often asked myself; Does my golden retriever need a companion?

After we adopted KORU BEAR at six months, I felt that he would benefit from having a Golden sibling to keep him company and play with at all times. He is a social dog and will not have any issues adjusting especially when he spent his puppy life in a multi-dog family environment.

Is It Good To Have Two Golden Retrievers?

Many fellow Golden Retriever owners say that having a pair of Goldens is a good thing. The primary reason is to provide the other Golden dog “companionship”. Golden Retrievers are known to be very social dogs, and always get along well with other Goldens.

However, it’s not always a smooth transition for some Goldens and there are many reasons why some Golden Retriever don’t like other dogs. Before bringing a new puppy or adult Golden dog into your home, it is important to evaluate your current Golden and carefully assess if having a second golden dog will be beneficial.

10 questions to Consider When Adding A Second Dog | Another Golden Retriever

Knowing if you are ready for getting a second dog takes lots of considerations. Here are ten things you may want to think about when asking yourself if getting a second dog is a good idea.

1. Can You Afford Owning Two Dogs?
Dog ownership cost has to be a top consideration. Food, vet bills, dog care supplies, and pet insurance can add up to a hefty amount. It is important to make sure your household budget can cater to owning a second dog. Everything works out if you plan well.

2. How will your dog feel?
It is crucial to consider how a second dog will make your first dog feel. Your first dog is used to being the only companion and might act upset or jealous and develop anxiety. Don’t assume your current dog will just welcome and enjoy having another dog in your home. So, consider a thorough assessment evaluation of your current dog before adding a second dog.

3. What Breed of Dog Will Get Along With Your Dog?
Another Golden Retriever is the best companion dog for your Golden Retriever. However, Golden Retriever also gets along well with most other breeds of dogs. If you are considering a different breed, read up on their different character traits and behavior to make sure it is a good match. To further your dog breed education, consult your veterinarian and connect with other Golden Retriever owners who currently have a two-dog household.

4. Gender Matters: Male or Female Dog?
Gender plays an important role in whether your second dog will get along with your current dog. From the American Kennel Club AKC site, it states that there’s no set rule but typically it is easier and oftentimes safer to have dogs of the opposite gender. And, many experts tend to agree on this as sometimes bringing a same-sex second dog into the home can create problems: Female dogs can often display jealousy to each other, and male dogs may show aggression to each other.

In our case, we did not follow this rule and decided to welcome another male dog into our household. No aggression and jealousy occurred. They both got along from the beginning and KORU BEAR has been very helpful in puppy training KENZO.

5. Is it better to get a puppy as a second dog?
A puppy is always a temptation, but it may not be a good idea especially if you have an elderly or sick older dog. If you decide to get a puppy, keep in mind that a young pup requires a lot of training so think about whether you’ll be able to dedicate the time.

6. Do You Have the Space?
Having adequate space to play and for comfortable living, eating and sleeping is another important factor. Golden Retrievers are considered big dogs but can definitely live in a small home as long as you provide adequate exercise, mental stimulation, proper training, and routine grooming.

7. Do You Have the Time?
As much as two dogs can keep each other company, they will still want a piece of you. So before you decide whether you should get another dog, make sure you can provide both dogs the energy and attention they both need; especially the new dog that will require a lot of your time. A good play routine for each dog is one way to stay on top of this requirement.

8. Do You Have the Commitment to Train Your Second Dog?
Make sure you have your first dog fully-trained before introducing a second dog. Any new dog will learn from the older dog. Remember you will have to contribute a lot of your time and energy to this process also. So be honest and ask yourself — Do you have the ability to commit to all the responsibilities for another dog?

9. Is a second dog really the right decision for your family?
Having a second dog is double the joy if it is done for the right reasons. Does your family want a second dog? Make sure to include your whole family in making decisions. Owning dogs involve a huge commitment. Are you in for the long haul? When life changes occur unexpectedly, your family must be able to continue providing the best life for your dogs.

10. How Will It Change Your Life?
No matter what, bringing a dog into your home will change your life. There are lots of responsibilities to having two dogs, but the pros definitely outweigh the cons. Two dogs mean double the fun, love, and will definitely keep you active. Be prepared to plan your life and your time around your dogs.

Adding another dog to your life is a big decision and will definitely enrich your life. Hopefully, the above points will help you to decide if getting a second dog is a good idea. But one thing is for sure if you do it right – two dogs equal twice the fun, happiness, unconditional love, and enjoyable companionship for everyone around.