How Many Dogs Should You Have?

There are many considerations I recommend before adding an additional dog to your home.

 

First, how well behaved is your current dog? While I think almost all dogs benefit from having a companion dog in the home, I don’t think you should add an additional dog into the home until the first dog is in order. At a minimum, the first dog should have been socialized, over 16 weeks of age, and had at least some beginning obedience training, I personally think that the first dog should be at least 6 months to a year old before you get the second dog.

 

Second, would your current dog(s) accept another dog in the home? If your current dog hates other dogs, I wouldn’t get another dog. If you have multiple dogs already, but one dog would not accept a new dog, then don’t add the new dog. 

 

Third, what is your experience level with owning multiple dogs? If you are a novice, then don’t get a second dog… yet. Spend a good year getting your current dog through training. There are things you will learn as you grow with your dog, going places, getting experience, doing vet visits, giving your dog a bath, buying toys, cleaning up, and such. Otherwise, you are going to experience chaos. I also wouldn’t add other animals into the home during this time, whether a cat, dog, goat, bird or lizard. Focus on this new dog.

 

Fourth, what is your level of skill and ability to manage a dog? If you aren’t skillful, and have the ability, don’t yet a new dog yet. Spend a year getting that skill and ability. In a related way, if you have a disability, consider if now is the time to get another dog. Figure out how you will manage more than one dog before you take that next step. There are lots of workarounds. Make sure any new dog you put into your home won’t overload you. Many people with disabilities are fine with multiple dogs, and you probably will be as well. Don’t compromise your health or safety. I see many people fail when they have, say, 7 dogs in the home. But I know people with over 10 dogs in the home and it is fine. Success depends upon skill and ability... and willpower.

 

Fifth, can you afford it? 

 

Sixth, do you have enough room? Overcrowding leads to a wide range of behavioral problems, including fights. If you are in a tiny apartment, especially if you don’t live an active life with your dog outside the home, then hold off. I’ve lived in an apartment with more than one dog. It can be done provided you make them a high priority and you don’t put too many pets in a smaller space. More thinking also has to be done if you live in a high rise building in an urban area. Let the buyer beware.

 

Seventh, is the rest of the family in agreement? If not, don’t do it. Dogs can feel the hostility when they aren’t wanted. It often backfires.

 

Eighth, will you provide a happy home and life to your dogs? If not, then don’t make a dog miserable. Take responsibility to fix whatever is wrong in your life, regardless of the effort or pain it will entail.

 

Ninth, if a puppy, do you have time to do the intense socialization, house training, and puppy training for the new dog for the first couple of months? If an adult, you should assume the new dog will take at least 3 months of purposeful work to fit into the home Do you have the will and ability to do that?