Ok, this pup-rescue adventure is prompting this thread.
I've never had more than one dog at once. Last night my friend told me that "two dogs are better than one. But three dogs are worse than one or two, because things start to get political." Interesting!
What is your experience with one dog vs. two? Is two better than one? Two can keep each other company, sure, but if you travel a lot as we do, it would seem much harder to deal with. You can bring one dog to a friend's house, but not two. We were initially just trying to foster and place this little pup, but I think I may already be in love... ;-) Any thoughts or advice?
edit: sorry Kurt, meant to post this in the Lounge. I can't figure out how to move it...
katie bluekatie bluekt looin perpetual motion1,068 postsJoined View profileMessagekt loo
katie bluekt looin perpetual motion1,068 postsJoined View profileMessagekt loo4,507 views
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104Bailey loves ears, so I started getting her "Better Than Ears"... totally digestible but they chew like ears. (for some reason that name just cracks me up.) She likes them as much as ears, and I don't have to live with the disturbing feeling that I have recognizable pig parts lying around my living room! :blink:
CiaoBellaCiaoBellaBeach Lover92 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Lover
My son is also on his 2nd set and I too, did not think his teeth were that bad.
We have pretty much been a 2 dog family but 2 nights ago, my husband brought home a stray that had been living at his work. The poor thing is so ugly he's cute. So far so good. We have a german shep pup and a 4 y/o Jack Russell. For now the only worries are budgeting for lots of IAMS.
We have pretty much been a 2 dog family but 2 nights ago, my husband brought home a stray that had been living at his work. The poor thing is so ugly he's cute. So far so good. We have a german shep pup and a 4 y/o Jack Russell. For now the only worries are budgeting for lots of IAMS.
Smiling JOeSmiling JOeSoWal Expert31,643 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Expert
Smiling JOeSoWal Expert31,643 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal ExpertI have a dog in this fight, but I have delayed reading all the posts because I have been busy, and now they seem too overwhelming to read at the moment.
I have never had more than two adult dogs at any given time. Currently, I have two living with me. They are night and day regarding their personalities. I know the politics comes in to play when there is a third dog introduced. Politics do exist with just my two, but they are able to work things out without much incident, and they know that I am the Alpha.
I still find myself having to remember to keep the politics cool by giving similar play time and loving time. I can see a look of a jealous question in their eyes sometimes, so I am pretty good at giving balanced love to each. However, many times, I would like to take Dog A to the beach to play, and Dog B on a walk in the Forest, and it is I who is left feeling guilty for not taking both dogs when going to play or exercise.
I know if I had only one dog, I would take him most everywhere, because this has happened in the past. I would spend more time with my dog if I had only one.
The thing about having two dogs so that they can play together does not come into effect with my two particular dogs, because they are night and day. Dog B attempts to play with Dog A very often, but Dog A doesn't want any part of it usually. They do like each other, but they have their boundaries.
I have thought about getting a third mutt, but after considering my thoughts of having only one dog while typing this post, I think I prefer having only one. Anyone want a used, well-trained most-of-the-time pound dog? Just kidding. I could never let them go.
(Dog B is snorring right now. :funn🙂
I look forward to reading all of these posts soon. 😀
I have never had more than two adult dogs at any given time. Currently, I have two living with me. They are night and day regarding their personalities. I know the politics comes in to play when there is a third dog introduced. Politics do exist with just my two, but they are able to work things out without much incident, and they know that I am the Alpha.
I still find myself having to remember to keep the politics cool by giving similar play time and loving time. I can see a look of a jealous question in their eyes sometimes, so I am pretty good at giving balanced love to each. However, many times, I would like to take Dog A to the beach to play, and Dog B on a walk in the Forest, and it is I who is left feeling guilty for not taking both dogs when going to play or exercise.
I know if I had only one dog, I would take him most everywhere, because this has happened in the past. I would spend more time with my dog if I had only one.
The thing about having two dogs so that they can play together does not come into effect with my two particular dogs, because they are night and day. Dog B attempts to play with Dog A very often, but Dog A doesn't want any part of it usually. They do like each other, but they have their boundaries.
I have thought about getting a third mutt, but after considering my thoughts of having only one dog while typing this post, I think I prefer having only one. Anyone want a used, well-trained most-of-the-time pound dog? Just kidding. I could never let them go.
(Dog B is snorring right now. :funn🙂
I look forward to reading all of these posts soon. 😀
TeresaTeresaSoWal GuideSouth Walton, FL30,976 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Guide
TeresaSoWal GuideSouth Walton, FL30,976 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal GuideAlthough I would like to have two dogs (or more!!!) I agree with my uncle SJ that one is easier (especially when it is a big 90 lb yellow lab girl dog named Lulu) for several reasons:
we take her with us whenever we travel (driving)
she lives inside with us, so she hangs out with us all the time and we spend lots of time with her (I believe dogs belong in the house with the family as a member of the family)
now she's 4 and really likes being the only dog. she already shares time with our 3 year old son and she knows she is second to him.
she loves playing with other dogs (as long as they aren't little yappy ones who feel they must attack) but wants to be the only dog in our lives - she tells us that in many ways.
she's very sweet and would adapt to another dog, and she may even end up loving the companionship (I think she would). but we aren't getting another dog for our own reasons: travel (another dog would not fit in the car!), and the ease of taking care of one dog (keeping her clean, healthy, happy, spoiled).
some day when we have a farm with lots of land, I would love a whole pack of dogs (they would still have to live inside with me! but would be able to stay out as much as they like).
Dogs are such a gift. it doesn't matter how many dogs you have as long as you have dogs.
we take her with us whenever we travel (driving)
she lives inside with us, so she hangs out with us all the time and we spend lots of time with her (I believe dogs belong in the house with the family as a member of the family)
now she's 4 and really likes being the only dog. she already shares time with our 3 year old son and she knows she is second to him.
she loves playing with other dogs (as long as they aren't little yappy ones who feel they must attack) but wants to be the only dog in our lives - she tells us that in many ways.
she's very sweet and would adapt to another dog, and she may even end up loving the companionship (I think she would). but we aren't getting another dog for our own reasons: travel (another dog would not fit in the car!), and the ease of taking care of one dog (keeping her clean, healthy, happy, spoiled).
some day when we have a farm with lots of land, I would love a whole pack of dogs (they would still have to live inside with me! but would be able to stay out as much as they like).
Dogs are such a gift. it doesn't matter how many dogs you have as long as you have dogs.
TeresaTeresaSoWal GuideSouth Walton, FL30,976 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Guide
TeresaSoWal GuideSouth Walton, FL30,976 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal GuideKatie B - you must keep that cute pup because he's already stolen your heart and its too late!!! 😀
Yup, she's an incredible dog. Met her last night. I think we've decided to leave this decision up to our dog Bailey. If she loves the pup and likes the company, we'll keep her. If there are major issues though, we've found an incredible home as a back-up, with work-at-home parents, a little girl, and 2 acres of land. Either way, this doggie won the lottery. :clap_1:
RudyjohnRudyjohnSoWal InsiderChicago Area7,736 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Insider
Well, who is that in your 'tar?? (beautiful!)
that's Bailey of course! We thought she was a border collie when we got her from the pound, but she turned out to be just a fluffy love mutt. couldn't love a dog any more, it's just not possible.
Smiling JOeSmiling JOeSoWal Expert31,643 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Expert
Smiling JOeSoWal Expert31,643 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Expert
I could not resist taking this photo of Missy. She is a Greyhound/Lab mix whom I met yesterday at Grayton.
kathydwellskathydwellsDarlene is my middle name, not my nicknameLacey's Spring, Alabama13,303 postsJoined View profileMessageDarlene is my middle name, not my nickname
kathydwellsDarlene is my middle name, not my nicknameLacey's Spring, Alabama13,303 postsJoined View profileMessageDarlene is my middle name, not my nicknameLove that picture SJ. My dad and stepmom had two rescued greyhounds for years. They have both gone on the the bridge, but what wonderful dog's they were. This picture made me think of them. Thanks.
JdargJdargSoWal Expert18,040 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Expert
JdargSoWal Expert18,040 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Expert2 dogs. Yes it was easier with one (my old dog-slept 23 hours a day), and it was REALLY easy with 0 dogs ( I had a life). Then we rescued MacGregor - and he hated being alone. His anxiety was unbelieveable. So we got Fiona. Now they are happy- too happy! Maybe it is different when they are raised from a pup and they don't miss another dog's company- they think they are human.
SJ is right about doing things with 2 dogs- it is hard. Fiona wants to play with her giant beach ball all day, and she is not so great on the leash yet. MacGregor prefers tennis balls, is a perfect gentleman and is fantastic on a walk. I f I take both of them, I don't really get a good walk in because I am untangling the leashes the whole time since Fiona runs all over the place.
SJ is right about doing things with 2 dogs- it is hard. Fiona wants to play with her giant beach ball all day, and she is not so great on the leash yet. MacGregor prefers tennis balls, is a perfect gentleman and is fantastic on a walk. I f I take both of them, I don't really get a good walk in because I am untangling the leashes the whole time since Fiona runs all over the place.
Ocean LoverOcean LoverbeanBuckeye Country9,491 postsJoined View profileMessagebean
Ocean LoverbeanBuckeye Country9,491 postsJoined View profileMessagebeanthat's Bailey of course! We thought she was a border collie when we got her from the pound, but she turned out to be just a fluffy love mutt. couldn't love a dog any more, it's just not possible.
For some reason I thought Bailey was a lab. I don't know why. The new pup and Bailey will look so cute together!!!!
Beach RunnerBeach Runnerbeats on hoodNear the ATL and in SoWal as often as possible15,269 postsJoined View profileMessagebeats on hood
Beach Runnerbeats on hoodNear the ATL and in SoWal as often as possible15,269 postsJoined View profileMessagebeats on hoodthat's Bailey of course! We thought she was a border collie when we got her from the pound, but she turned out to be just a fluffy love mutt. couldn't love a dog any more, it's just not possible.Even though my daughter loves our "show dog," she thinks I'm awful for not getting a dog from a shelter. She came really close to getting a Weim from a shelter and bringing it to me to care for so I could pay my humanitarian dues.
MermaidMermaidpicky7,871 postsJoined View profileMessagepicky
I could not resist taking this photo of Missy. She is a Greyhound/Lab mix whom I met yesterday at Grayton.
SJ, that is a stunning looking dog! Greyhounds are among my favorite dogs of all times. Such gentle dispositions and elegant faces! I like the way Missy has a bit of "heft" to her. :wub:
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