It's a dog's life to be left alone for long hours and not have a companion, if one is a single dog. At least, many dogs are this way --there are always exceptions where dogs function best as single dogs in a household.

One dog or two? Your dog's attitude to other dogs can easily be seen when it's out on its walks. Is it happy to meet other dogs? Of course, dogs, as with humans, will get only with certain dogs and not with others, and who are we to predict this mysterious chemistry? If your single dog constantly displays friendly excitement when meeting other dogs, and the household is empty for many hours during the day, no matter how well you and your family take care of its material and bodily needs, you might consider getting a companion dog.

Adopting a companion can be tricky. Commonly, a boy will get only better with a girl, but then, the temperaments should either match or be opposite in a way that one can bring out the best in another. Never be afraid to ask lots of questions about a dog. Is it shy? Is it aggressive? Is it outgoing? If you decide to adopt a 2nd pooch, then it is safest to bring along your first pooch to meet its would-be lifelong companion. After all, you are in fact being the matchmaker! (See under Pre-Pooch for issues in introducing one animal to another.)

A note on adopting from what some call "the pound" or an animal shelter or anti-cruelty society. Some animal shelters are completely no-kill. Some are not. This is why it is so important that you adopt responsibly. If an animal is brought back, the animal gets a black mark, even if the reason is as innocuous as its not getting along with Pooch No. 1. After a certain number of black marks, the animal is put to sleep. This is a needless tragedy for an innocent animal that could otherwise provide years of joy in the right home.

What about the costs of a 2nd pooch? Of course, in many ways, the costs are almost doubled. Many vets and groomers, however, will give multiple animal discounts. A dogsitter would sometimes not charge much more for a multiple animal household.

Training a second dog after you have one socialized pooch in your household is actually an easy proposition. For example, you need only constantly reward Dog No. 1 for going in and out of the doggy door and have Doggy No. 2 watch this. With a little encouragement (and some favorite treats), Doggy No. 2 will actually pattern itself on the behavior that it sees being reinforced so consistently. Yes, they will learn from each other, and if the personalities mesh, they will be a happy pair, bringing out the best characteristics of their doggynalities, much as happy human couples do. The rewards are immeasurable.

Finally, check this out for entertaining and informative reading:

Planet Dog : A Doglopedia by Sandra Choron, Harry Choron

Green Thumbs Up for Beginning Gardeners at startergardens.com


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