People against multi-dog homes.

[Tankstar]

Growing up we had 3 dogs at all times in the house, a collie, a toy poodle and a poodle chi mix. No one thought we were crazy. then again our family is from people who all loves dogs (and animals for that matter), so we were never crazy lol.

Some think its strange we only have one dog now. I would love a second dog, but timing is not right at the time being. Blaze is fine being a single dog too, he has no use for other dogs. he has his doggy friends, and they fill the void for him lol.

 

[Romy]

If I got a third dog, my mom would flip out on me. And I am an adult with my own life. I feel like she treats me like I am still 10 years old. Everything I do has to be approved by her it seams.

Even though everyone in my family only has one dog or none at all, they all have several kids.

You need something like.....a couple more chi's. lol

 

[Squishy22]

You need something like.....a couple more chi's. lol

My fiance is a chihuahua person and he has told me that he would love to get another chi. When and if we get another dog, it will most certainly be a chihuahua. I do know that I cannot and do not want to take on another large dog at this time in my life... no way.

Pebbles is bitchy with reggin, but I know she enjoys his company. They snuggle together all the time. They are like brother and sister.

 

[elegy]

my mom about had a stroke when she found out i was intending to bring mushroom home, but she got over it. and then when i brought the third dog home. hooo boy. but she got over that too. her concern has always been about the money more than anything else. but it's my life, my house, my bills, my business

 

[Laurelin]

Heh, my parents have had up to 6 at once, so it's all good. The only issue we have now is they want me to get another dog but they want it to be a papillon.

 

[PoodleMommy]

I like having two dogs together... I feel bad only having one now... I love to go to my parents so that Armani has someone to play with. If It was feasible at this moment I would get another dog in an instant.

But everyone with more than one dog IS crazy... havent you noticed true animal lovers are just a little off?

 

[Angelique]

I don't recall getting any flack from my family when I've had more than one dog. I guess I'm lucky.

I love having two, which is a pair of dogs. I don't think you have an actual "dog pack" dynamic, until there are three or more.

Any combination of more than a single dog and owner, will definately give you more social variables to explore.

 

[DogstarAcademy]

I should probably admit also that my parents STILL have not met Lizzie, whose Gotcha Day is coming up in 2 weeks.

 

[lizzybeth727]

I only have one, and I don't have time for another dog.... Sure you can walk them together, but what if they don't walk well together, or you have to spend a lot of time training them to walk together? We've all read threads here of people asking how to get two dogs to walk together nicely, it's not necessarily a natural thing. And to me it WOULD be twice as much training, IMO it's sad to not teach a dog anything new once it knows basic behaviors, dogs (or at least any dog I would want to get) enjoy learning new things and need that mental exercise. Plus I think it's important to do activities with dogs that let them experience something outside of "home" (house, yard, walking path) at least once or twice a week. To me that means taking them to obedience/ agility/ whatever other activity class, and/or pet stores, parks, and anywhere else that allows dogs. That's just me, though, by no means am I saying that's what everyone should do or believe, and for many dogs this would not be a good situation.

Plus my dog doesn't particularly care for other dogs. She and my roommate's dog get along but they don't play together, and when I leave for work her favorite place to go to is my bedroom where she stays closed in separate from the other dog all day.

That doesn't mean I'm "against" multi dog homes, if that works for you that's great. But it doesn't work for everybody.

 

[TheGoldenRetriever]

Oh heck, don't sweat it Reggin's mommy!

If anybody asks "Why would you want another dog if you already have one?" just ask them "Why would somebody want another kid if they already have one?"

 

[Bigpoodleperson]

My parents dont understand the more then one dog thing either. They love Riley, but really arnt dog people. They think that if i get another dog i will be neglecting Riley or something. They dont understand Why. I absolutely plan on getting another dog soon! I love having more then one dog around!

 

[Dekka]

~Mafia~

Coworkers assumed when I was importing Smudge I was getting rid of Cider. I nearly died... Acted like I was getting a replacement not an addition.

 

[Squishy22]

my mom about had a stroke when she found out i was intending to bring mushroom home, but she got over it. and then when i brought the third dog home. hooo boy. but she got over that too. her concern has always been about the money more than anything else. but it's my life, my house, my bills, my business

I think thats more so the issue with my mother as well. Aside from thinking its just weird to have several dogs . I have cable TV, cell phones, ridiculous payments that I am making on a pricey laptop, we constantly eat out, I get my hair done professionally, etc... what I choose to spend my extra money on, is my business. And whether I decide to spend my extra money on another dog is my business.

 

[Squishy22]

Oh heck, don't sweat it Reggin's mommy!

If anybody asks "Why would you want another dog if you already have one?" just ask them "Why would somebody want another kid if they already have one?"

:rofl1:

Now thats a good one.

 

[xpaeanx]

I only have one, and I don't have time for another dog.... Sure you can walk them together, but what if they don't walk well together, or you have to spend a lot of time training them to walk together? We've all read threads here of people asking how to get two dogs to walk together nicely, it's not necessarily a natural thing. And to me it WOULD be twice as much training, IMO it's sad to not teach a dog anything new once it knows basic behaviors, dogs (or at least any dog I would want to get) enjoy learning new things and need that mental exercise. Plus I think it's important to do activities with dogs that let them experience something outside of "home" (house, yard, walking path) at least once or twice a week. To me that means taking them to obedience/ agility/ whatever other activity class, and/or pet stores, parks, and anywhere else that allows dogs. That's just me, though, by no means am I saying that's what everyone should do or believe, and for many dogs this would not be a good situation.

Plus my dog doesn't particularly care for other dogs. She and my roommate's dog get along but they don't play together, and when I leave for work her favorite place to go to is my bedroom where she stays closed in separate from the other dog all day.

That doesn't mean I'm "against" multi dog homes, if that works for you that's great. But it doesn't work for everybody.

If your dog doesn't get along with other dogs, then not adding another has nothing to do with it taking more time.

As for walking dogs together, I honestly haven't met very many dogs that can't be walked with others(unless they are DA obviously). And in the scheme of a dogs life span, it takes a short amount of time to train them(and I would assume leash/walk training is part of "the basics").

And not a lot of people do "extra" activities(but I've noticed those that do always seem to have more than one dog....), but their dogs are still well taken care of and happy.

So, I still don't see how having 2 dogs takes more time. It is more of a hassel, so saying you don't want to just bc you don't feel like dealing with them I can see, but not that they take more time.

 

[CaliTerp07]

So, I still don't see how having 2 dogs takes more time. It is more of a hassel, so saying you don't want to just bc you don't feel like dealing with them I can see, but not that they take more time.

How is it more of a hassle if it's not anymore time? Just being underfoot more? I don't understand that argument.

I still maintain that for me, personally, getting another dog would take away the time I spend with Lucy. I really do admire those who can do it, but my lifestyle isn't conducive to multiple dogs. (Not to mention my apartment is too small!)

 

[xpaeanx]

How is it more of a hassle if it's not anymore time? Just being underfoot more? I don't understand that argument.

I still maintain that for me, personally, getting another dog would take away the time I spend with Lucy. I really do admire those who can do it, but my lifestyle isn't conducive to multiple dogs. (Not to mention my apartment is too small!)

I understand that not everyone is not able/wants to have multiple dogs so don't worry, I'm not trying to say you are bad for only having one!

but time and hassel are 2 totally different things!

hassels: take up more space in the home, it takes more energy to walk two dogs, they're more expensive, you may have to upgrade your vehicle if they both don't fit, finding apartments is harder, etc...

none of those things take up more time, but they are def annoying! :lol-sign:

 

[CaliTerp07]

KK, fair enough

 

[Squishy22]

I dont have anything against people who only enjoy one dog. I have a problem when those people have a problem with me just because I own several dogs and they cant seem to understand WHY I want that many dogs in the first place. Well, thats my choice, just like its your choice to only have one.

As far as taking up more time. For me getting another dog that is a very tiny toy wont take up much more time at all. Only at the beginning when there is potty training and he/she needs to be taken out every few hours. Now with a larger dog, that might be different. I've never had 2 large dogs at once. I have had two chihuahuas at once though.

 

[PWCorgi]

Having both of my guys definitely takes more time, even if I'm not counting walks.
Even just simple stuff like training is done separately and takes triple the time since I have three. Usually I do about 5 minutes each dog, so instead of 5 minutes I'm spending 15 minutes. Twice a day, that's half an hour.

Plus between feeding (portioning raw for two/heating Inky's canned/Preparing Mollie's canned-kibble-homemade concoction) and grooming (all need daily), they take a lot more time than just having one. Add individual time for each animal every day and we're really getting up there.

As for walking dogs together, I honestly haven't met very many dogs that can't be walked with others(unless they are DA obviously). And in the scheme of a dogs life span, it takes a short amount of time to train them(and I would assume leash/walk training is part of "the basics").

That's because you haven't tried to walk Izzy and Frodo together, LOL.
I have completely given up on them.