Is It Better to Have Two Dogs Instead of One?

When we share our life with a dog, we often wonder whether it would be better to find it a four-legged companion to play with when, for example, we're not home to keep it company.

The answer is very simple: of course it would. Two dogs can keep each other company, play, and even learn from one another. It's a great decision, though we should keep a few things in mind, since incompatibilities can arise.

At Soyunperro, we'll explain why it's better to have two dogs and what aspects you should consider before adopting your second fur-baby.

Benefits of Having Multiple Dogs

As happy as our dog might be by our side, we can't ignore the fact that it's a dog and we're humans. There are many things about dogs we don't understand, and many moments when a canine companion would be much better for it than a human.

Dogs can interact with each other, understanding each other's body language at all times, something most humans don't know how to interpret. On top of that, there are plenty of occasions — work, dining out, doctor's visits — when we have to leave our dog home alone.

Having two dogs means our dog will never feel lonely again when we're not around — it can play with its companion, or simply enjoy the peace of the moment and a good nap, but in company.

Dogs build a very special bond with each other — over time, you'll notice they even protect each other if an unfamiliar dog growls at them on the street. They quickly form a pack, obviously led by us.

Important Precautions Before Adopting a Second Dog

Having two dogs isn't always a good idea — we need to be aware of several important aspects, like the fact that food and vet expenses will double, or that walks will become a bit trickier if they both decide to pull on the leash, etc.

We should also carefully consider our dog's age and temperament before finding it a companion. If our dog is elderly, we shouldn't bring a puppy into the home, since it simply won't have the energy or patience for it.

If our dog is very territorial, aggressive, or has a dominant temperament... it's also not a great idea to find it a companion, since if the companion is submissive, our dog will constantly dominate it, and if it has a strong personality, there will be constant clashes.

Don't take this the wrong way, but if you haven't managed to properly socialize a single dog, why would you want two? You'll have double the behavioral problems, and the danger that poses to you and your surroundings.

Size can also be an issue — it's not a good idea to have a fifty-kilo dog and bring in a mini-sized one under ten kilos... since it's quite likely it could get hurt simply while playing.

How to Introduce the New Dog to the Family

This step is essential for the dogs to get along well from the start, since an improper introduction can create a major conflict between them that ends in fights. It's really important for the dogs to meet outside the home before living together.

Ideally, we'd be out walking our dog while a friend or family member joins us with the new dog. This way, the two dogs will meet outside the house in a neutral setting, where territoriality won't be an issue.

To be more precise, it's best to do several walks over several days before bringing the new dog home. This way, they'll get to know each other much better and build a bond of friendship before starting to live together.

Once they know each other and we see there's no conflict between them, we can ask our friend or family member to visit us at home with the new dog. We should let our dog go greet the new dog, sniff it, and so on.

It's important for the new dog to have its own space, so our dog keeps its own bed, food bowl, water bowl, and toys. This will help avoid jealousy and common conflicts. If they get along well, we can start leaving them alone for short periods (under supervision).

But if they don't get along, we'll need to start working on both dogs' behavior for proper socialization. If it gets out of hand, we can ask a professional trainer for help, who'll give us guidelines to follow based on the type of behavior involved.