Sign up for our newsletter and stay in the know. What Are the Benefits of Having Two Dogs? Dogs Love Playing With Each Other. When you’re not home and can’t provide entertainment for your pooch, another dog in the household can be a comfort. Pictured below are the three dogs—from two different households—that my family recently hosted for a couple of days, and it was a good experience for all of us. Marley likes both dogs and often plays with them, but he needs more rest and snoozy time than the young pups. Having multiple dogs can provide training challenges, but it also offers opportunities to help dogs learn to attend to a person despite big distractions. Dog owners tend to have lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels compared to non-dog owners. There are obvious benefits to adopting two pets at the same time. The dogs all live on the same street and their guardians are friends, so they know each other. Rick on May 19, 2018: I have a 4 year old Cavodle who is very protective of us when other dogs come close. I’m not saying it is better or worse than the social benefits to dogs of being around people, but it’s different. Yea, yea I know but hear me out. Studies show that having a canine companion is linked to lower blood pressure, reduced cholesterol, and decreased triglyceride levels, which contribute to better overall cardiovascular health and fewer heart attacks. If you have two dogs, they always have someone around for company. February 12, 2020. If you have two dogs, they always have someone around for company. It can be quite difficult to tire your dog in this situation. Our dogs have it a lot easier with their domesticated modern lives and don’t need to live in a pack for survival. With three dogs in the house, it was easy to set up situations where one dog worked on a skill while one or both other dogs were there. Rosie worked on her “spin” trick a lot during her visit. Your sample will reach you in 10 working days. Pets often play with each other throughout the house. 1. What Are the Benefits of Having Two Dogs? One of the best reasons to have two dogs, rather than one, is simple: If you adopt two dogs, you’re saving two lives. I already have a little Japanese Chin X Pomeranian and a cat and would like to get another dog. To help combat this, new dogs or puppies should probably spend the first few days or weeks in a restricted area to get acclimated to their new surroundings. We are excited to offer tailor-made nutrition for your pets. Despite the extra work for the people, I kept thinking about the benefits for the dogs of being in a group, beyond just how nice it was for them to have a couple of buddies of the same species around. If you have two dogs, they always have someone around for company. If you have a pet that enjoys the company of another, this may be a great option for both you and your pet. yonah_river /Instagram. Similarly, waiting your turn when it comes to treats or dinner also gives dogs practice with emotional self-control, and that is an important part of maturing into a pleasant adult. It rained all day in the middle of the visit, which meant that every time the dogs came inside, we had a dozen wet, muddy paws to deal with. However, that also depends on the breeds and ages. Cats do much the same when they express their hunting instincts through playtime with each other at home. Your risk for general illness decreases. Two pets means more companionship for the people in your family, too. The companionship they gave one another during their stay with us made me happy, and not just because it took some pressure off of me to make sure that they were having fun. Another benefit of having two dogs is that they will keep each other busy during the day when you’re working. When the decision is properly informed, it ensures the multi-pet household dynamic works well for you. Each time one dog stops to sniff or for a potty break, the other dogs need to exercise patience. Or at leading pet specialty stores in selected cities. Another consideration is the dog’s size and breed . Save a Second Life. Karen writes the animal column for the Arizona Daily Sun and is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Northern Arizona University. While having two puppies at a time is not recommended, having an older dog and getting another puppy or having two older dogs brings so many benefits not just for you, but also your family and the dogs themselves. When you’re not home and can’t provide entertainment for your pooch, another dog in the household can be a comfort. Would having another dog stop this Again, depends on the dogs because like people, no two dogs are alike. He would take a rest, hang out with us or chew on something while the other two played. If you plan to eventually have two dogs, it's best to adopt them both at once for easier training. Living with Multiple Dogs: People who model peaceful, generous and courteous behavior create a household culture that dogs, who are highly attuned to social etiquette, recognize. More often than not, multiple dogs do get along. What Are the Benefits of Having Two Dogs? Large breeds like Rottweilers and Golden Retrievers benefit from being castrated when over a year of age to reduce the risk of certain diseases, including orthopedic disorders and even some cancers. Dogs expose their owners to a lot of germs, which can help build up a human’s immunity to disease. I also don't know if they would get along or not. Dogs and cats can get attached to more than just one owner. Pet friendship is a wonderful thing to witness — it's beautiful, pure, and strong, and has brought so much joy into our home. Multiple-dog owners see a strong bond form between the dogs since dogs are essentially pack animals and are naturally attuned to pack living. If you have two dogs, they always have someone around for company. Should you adopt one pet or two pets at the same time? 3 Benefits of Having Two Dogs or Cats Should you adopt one pet or two pets at the same time? If you have two dogs, they always have someone around for company. You have already claimed your free sample. I say this with a few caveats to consider first. I’m not going to lie—that was a big hassle. When you’re not home and can’t provide entertainment for your pooch, another dog in the household can be a comfort. Having multiple dogs can provide training challenges, but it also offers opportunities to help dogs learn to attend to a person despite big distractions. But is owning two dogs better than one? There’s no doubt that having a multi-dog household is a big undertaking, and yet many people can barely imagine having just one dog in their heart and home at the same time. A few things should be taken into consideration before […] Bringing a dog into your home is the first, For any relationship to become successful, you, Now that you know how awesome dogs are, it’s, You may sense that hanging out with a dog or. Even just petting a familiar dog lowers blood pressure, heart rate, slows breathing, and relaxes muscle tension. If you have just one dog, they may get lonely and bored at times. Karen B. London, Ph.D. is a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist and Certified Professional Dog Trainer who specializes in working with dogs with serious behavioral issues, including aggression. […] Keeping two or even more dogs together works out very well for a lot of people, and there are undoubtedly a lot of plus sides to keeping more than one dog, such as the socialisation benefits, enablement of natural pack behaviour, and the advantages of having a reassuring friend to hand to provide company and friendship. Dogs can be messy animals, and if you aren’t comfortable with the occasional cleanup or chewed up item, having two dogs may not be the best option for you. Two dogs in the family can provide each other with companionship while you are away at work or play. My main concern before the shared visit was making sure that Marley, who is 10 years old, had some peace and quiet from both his regular housemate Saylor, who is about a year old, and from his neighbor Rosie, who is about eight months old. Two Dogs is simply more fun than just one. We also helped Marley get away if he wanted to by letting him up on our couch, but not allowing the younger dogs to bother him when he was there. She is the author of six books about canine training and behavior, including her most recent, Treat Everyone Like a Dog: How a Dog Trainer’s World View Can Improve Your Life, Copyright © 1997-2020 The Bark, Inc. Dog Is My Co-Pilot® is a registered trademark of The Bark, Inc, There’s something special (and valuable!) The social aspects of having two dogs in your home are enormous, and a social dog is a happy dog. From the comfort of constant companionship to increased feelings of security, the positives of multiple dog households far outweigh the little bit of extra effort involved. This can give them a lot more exercise than they'd get alone. Some anxious dogs can benefit from the testosterone that comes from puberty, and it may be best to delay surgery in these dogs. Having two dogs can be more than twice as much work as having one, and having three can require way more than three times as much effort. I want another small one as a companion for my first dog but don't know what to do in terms of cost/needs for the dog. Dogs don’t just fill your heart; they actually make it stronger. What Are the Benefits of Having Two Dogs? Dogs offer wonderful companionship for the elderly as well. - Multiple dogs to comfort you when feeling down- You are more likely to have a couch companion- And you more likely to have an adventure companion too- Get welcomed home multiple wagging tails- Multiple dogs means more silliness- Your dogs will each have a playmate- You dogs will never be alone. One huge advantage to adopting two dogs at once is you're able to train two dogs at once. You get twice the cuteness and a lot more! Our big girl has taught our little male dog to be a watch dog like her. Other than that, we had a glorious time while these three little angels were visiting us. There are numerous benefits to having more than one dog. There's nothing better than seeing your pets cuddle together, play with one another, groom each other, and even resolve conflicts together, loving each other as unconditionally as they love us. As dogs prefer to live in social units, multiple dog households enhance each individual canine's overall well-being. If you have two dogs, they always have someone around for company. In the event that you have a bustling work routine and invest a ton of energy out of the home, having two dogs can help your genuine feelings of serenity. We have sent an OTP to your registered mobile number. When I observed them together, there was a comfort in the company they provided one another that was lovely to see. Benefits of Having Two Dogs. Positives of Having a Pack. Performing any skill in a distracting environment is a challenge, and the presence of other dogs is often particularly hard for social dogs. Although most people prefer having one dog, two dogs bring a lot of benefits to you. While these dogs were visiting us, I made a point of doing some training sessions with the added difficulty of having other dogs around. Your pets will have the opportunity to socialize and play together, which means they won't get bored if you’re sleeping or working. Two pets can double the joy in your life — as well as each other's. What advantages do you appreciate about having multiple dogs? Dog owners spend more time interacting with others than nonowners, and their interactions are more positive. It also can often prevent boredom and resulting behavioral issues. When you're not home and can't provide entertainment for your pooch, another dog in the household can be a comfort. Each pet has his or her own personality, and your family will enjoy getting to know each as an individual. It's true that adopting more than one pet requires some extra work, but you'll reap many times the rewards when you give two dogs or two cats a new home. Training Challanges with Multiple Dogs. Pros. I know what you’re saying – dogs playing with each other isn’t surprising. They also appear more trustworthy to strangers, which … Sorry, you need to enable JavaScript to visit this website. There are obviously drawbacks to having more than one dog, but some of those can be channeled positively. Handling frustration and exhibiting self-control in such situations is beneficial to dogs. Puppies growing up in such households are especially likely to adopt that culture. Breeds and Behavior: How Closely Are They Linked? You can work on housebreaking, crate training, and other basic training at one time. Having a dog isn’t just good for you as an individual. What can be a better companion than a dog? It’s estimated that a whopping 3.9 million dogs enter animal shelters each year—and 1.2 million of them are euthanized. Social Benefits. Luckily, they all get along. In addition to boosting their mental health, having a companion can also improve your pets' physical health. I believe most people are going to answer yes to this question and I would be one of them. Your dogs can play with one another, which can be compelling for keeping weariness and absence of incitement under control. In the first video above, she practices it while the other dogs are not around. When you're not home and can't provide entertainment for your pooch, another dog in the household can be a comfort. Walking two (or more) dogs at the same time is not always easy, but it offers opportunities, too. Pros: 1. Benefits Of Having Two Dogs At Home 11 November, 2018 Besides the fact that they can play together, having two dogs at home will help prevent them from having … April 18, 2016. Adding another dog or cat to your family may be the perfect choice. They are loving, adorable and loyal to the owners. April 18, 2016. about it, Treat Everyone Like a Dog: How a Dog Trainer’s World View Can Improve Your Life, Dogs Boost Toddlers’ Social and Emotional Development, Swimming Dogs: Water Hazard and Safety Tips. Dogs are certainly out best friends; living with a dog will create a deep bond between the two of you, and you'll share a relationship that will bring you many mental and physical benefits.If you have children at home, having a dog will help them learn about commitment, responsibility and caring. It's true that adopting more than one pet requires some extra work, but you'll reap many times the rewards when you give two dogs or two cats a new home. Companionship is one of the major benefits of owning multiple dogs. Recipes for Dogs: Meatloaf with Vegetables, Cataract: Keeping Puppy Dog Eyes Clear and Bright, How to Choose the Best Chews for Your Dog, How the Coronavirus Pet Adoption Boom is Reducing Stress. They can benefit from each other, and their new family will benefit from the richness of their relationship with each other as well. Owning two Dogs allows them to always have a friend with them. 9. They would miss scenes like an adorable dog pile, having their dogs do zoomies together after a bath, or just rolling around in sync. Dogs are very important in our lives. It’s hard standing around when you want to keep going, but being required to do so brings benefits. Should you adopt one pet or two pets at the same time? When there is more than one pet in the home, they may each get attached to different people in the family. When you’re not home and can’t provide entertainment for your pooch, another dog in the household can be a comfort. They'll never be alone except when they want to be. However, with another companion or two for them to play with, socialize with and sleep with, they will no longer be so bored or lonely. Dog owners experience fewer health problems. If you have two dogs, they always have someone around for company. Who wouldn't want that for themselves or their pet? Let’s look at the pros and cons of having two dogs. I also work during the day so they would be alone from about 8:00 'till 3:00. He opted out of some play sessions, as many older dogs often do. Two Dogs really isn’t much more trouble more one. Usually, your dog spends the better part of the day sleeping and waits for you to come back so that they can go crazy. What Are the Benefits of Having Two Dogs? That work was to lay the groundwork for the success you can see in the second video below, in which she spins when the other two dogs are present. The only reason it ever felt overwhelming to have three dogs was a result of bad luck in the form of the weather. When we play with our dogs out in the backyard, they tumble and romp through the grass, expending more energy than they would with any game of fetch with a human. For dog lovers one never seems to be enough. Analyzing the must current scientific research on health benefits of having a dog and reasons why dogs are beneficial for families with kids or elderly. It also can often prevent boredom and resulting behavioral issues. Owning two Dogs allows them to burn of excess energy quicker by playing and play-fighting with each other. That pattern continues as the number of dogs increases. Multiple studies show that dogs and therapy dogs help alleviate stress and anxiety. 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