When you get a dog it’s so exciting to do everything together. You love going on adventures, introducing your new pup to your friends, and hanging out together on the couch. But eventually, you might ask if you should get your dog their own little furry friend! Is getting a second dog a dog idea? And how will you convince your family you need a second dog?

Let me walk you through the best parts of having two dogs. With the stories I share in this post, you’ll have everything you need to convince anyone that you need a second dog!

Ever since my family got our first dogs (labrador litter mates!) when I was about 13 years old, I’ve almost always had two labradors together. That’s about 20 years of experience with having 2 dogs! I’ll start with the best parts and end with a few of the realistic downsides of having two dogs (there’s just a few!).

The Perks of Getting a Second Dog

First of all, one of the best things about having two dogs is that they can play with each other. They can also keep each other company when you’re away from home. I have a home security camera to check in on the dogs when I’m away and they tend to just sleep in their own beds when I’m out. But it gives me peace of mind to know they have each other’s company!

Something I discovered after getting my latest labrador Burt is that with two dogs you can do even more activities with your dog! You might ask… isn’t it harder to do things with two big dogs? And the answer is, “it depends!”

Taking two dogs everywhere can be a handful! But if you get to know what your dogs enjoy, you can split them up to do their favorite activities one-on-one.

I love to split my labs up and take them on their own adventures – it’s double the fun! For example, my dog Lucy doesn’t like being up late and isn’t the most affectionate with people in a crowd. Burt, on the other hand, is a total attention hog and loves any kind of attention. So if I want to go to a dog-friendly brewery, Burt is the dog who gets to do that with me.

There are also activities Lucy loves and Burt doesn’t enjoy. Lucy is my water dog so she gets to do stand up paddleboarding with me.

At home, my two dogs have different things they like, too. Lucy can’t stand cuddling on the couch! But Burt likes to be touching me at all times and is the best cuddle bug!

One more benefit to getting a second dog is that your current dog will teach them things. When I brought Lucy home as a little 8-week old puppy, my other dog Lola was 9 years old. She showed Lucy the ropes and taught her so much!

To summarize… with two dogs you get double the fun and double the love! It really is a joy to watch them play together and run through the park side by side. I also love being surrounded by dogs while we’re hanging out at home. They make every day better!

Is There A Downside to Having Two Dogs?

The first thing that comes to mind as a possible downside to having two dogs is the added expense. Two dogs will mean twice as much food, double the vet visits, grooming, etc.

I’ve had two dogs for almost 20 years, and over that time I’ve learned a lot of ways to save money.

For starters, I’m always on the lookout for sales and coupons at my favorite pet supply stores. I join every email list and as soon as a 20% off coupon shows up I stock up on a few months worth of food and treats. Learn more in a blog post I have with 5 dog mom hacks to save money on premium dog food.

To save on vaccinations I started going to vaccine clinics at our local animal shelter. It’s one of my best hacks to save money with two dogs! Most humane societies, rescues and shelters will have some kind of low-cost vaccine day that’s open to the public or dogs who have been rescued through them. These are usually held a couple of times a year so do your research and plan ahead!

Will a Second Dog Help with Separation Anxiety?

While two dogs will keep each other company, it’s unlikely a second dog would help with separation anxiety. If your current dog tends to freak out when you leave the house, I would recommend working with a dog behaviorist or trainer to work on those behaviors before bringing home a second dog.

Signs of separation anxiety in your dog may include barking, whining, panting, pacing or even destroying things. I’ve talked to several dog training and behavior experts on my podcast about this.

Certified trainer and dog behavior consultant, Mikkel Becker recommends creating a goodbye routine that you repeat every time you leave the house to build trust and a reliable routine with your anxious dog. Learn more about her recommendations on Wear Wag Repeat Podcast Episode 129.

On the podcast, I also talked to Certified Professional Dog Trainer Louise Daigle of Red Pointy Dog Training in New Hampshire. Louise recommends being proactive about separation anxiety, especially after spending so much time with your dog during quarantine in 2020. You can listen to Louise’s recommendations (and learn about her dog training online course) on Wear Wag Repeat Podcast Episode 115.

Recap: Convince Anyone That You Need a Second Dog

I hope this blog post provided you with a lot of helpful information and stories about how great it is to have 2 dogs! You should be ready to convince your husband, boyfriend, girlfriend or parents that you really need a second dog now!

Top Reasons Why You Really Need a Second Dog:

1. Your current dog will love having a friend!
2. With two dogs you can do even more dog-friendly activities
3. The dogs will teach each other things
4. It’s not as expensive as you think!

Now it’s time to consider if you’ll get your second dog from a rescue or a breeder. If you choose to use a dog breeder, make sure they’re responsible. You should ask them all these questions!

I have both… a dog from a breeder and one from a rescue. They’re both wonderful dogs, companions and lifelong friends! Either way you go, do lots of research before getting your second dog.

Did you enjoy this post? Check these out, too:
Deciding to Adopt a Senior Dog
Holistic Care for Your Senior Dog and How Much it Costs
85+ Classic and Unique Names for Chocolate Labs
Podcast Episode 87: Julie Krauss of Huggle Hounds
Healthy Kong Stuffing Recipes My Labradors Love

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All photos in this post: Don Noel