Should I adopt a second dog so my first one has company?

We have a one-year-old male rescue who gets lonely when we are out. A shelter has an older female that seems gentle. I'm tempted but worried about fighting, costs, and how it fits in a condo. How did your first dog react to a second one?

3 answers

1. Most helpful for the asker

   TRThanakorn Rattanakosin· 2 months ago

   Do a meeting on neutral ground, like a park, before deciding, and walk them together. Ask the shelter for a trial period. Two dogs doubles the vet and food costs, so think carefully. After the first month, the older dog began to play, and my first dog seemed younger. It helped him a lot, though it was work.

   Helpful14Helpful
2. CHChen Hao· 2 months ago

   Our dogs became best friends, but it took a few weeks. Separate food bowls and beds at first. A calm older dog is often an easier match for a young one. Let them have separate spaces for the first week, with a baby gate, and then increase the time together slowly under supervision.

   Helpful25Helpful
3. PSPriya Sharma· 2 months ago

   A second dog doesn't always cure loneliness. The first dog may still need training for time alone. Ask yourself if you could afford two dogs for fifteen years, and whether your condo rules allow it. Be honest with yourself, and with the shelter, it helps them find the right match.

   Helpful5Helpful