Pros and Cons of having two dogs.
 My wife and I are so close to rescuing an OES. This will give us a second one in the house approximately the same age (5), From all of our convesations we cannot see any reason not to as far as agression, problems, kids etc. Knowing how velcro they are and such big clowns, can anyone with two in the house give me any insight I might not have thought of. We have discussed and discussed the idea and covered, travelling, food, bills, etc |
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| I dont have two sheepies but when my dalmo was 5 I added a sheepie puppy to the family. Rastus (dalmo) had always been very friendly and playful with other dogs so we figured he'd love having a friend. WRONG, he was very put out and jealous of the puppy. He has gotten used to her but it did take work. I still walk them separately as they compete to be in front when on lead and Tiggy chases Rastus if they're off lead which really stresses him. I imagine two sheepies would work better as in my experience they seem to cope with each others rough play better but I guess there could be exceptions. I'd read up lots on introducing a new dog to your family before you get your new sheepie. All the best. |
Our Baloo and Lily are actually littermates.. however we didn't bring Lily in till they were about 2. They have a lot of the same sheepie "stuff" yet their personalities couldn't be farther from each other. They work at getting along... or to put it better LILY has to work at getting along. We call her our Cranky Queen. She is no where near as laid back and easy going as Baloo. He is extremely mellow and laid back. Sometimes Lily can be a real B***H. But I love her to death and she'll never go anywhere else. She's here to stay. I like to think at their moments when they don't get along it's because they are siblings after all and no one (I know) gets along with their sister/brother 24hrs a day. At least me and my sisters didn't.  I walk them together & don't have to worry about it. They have no issues walking side by side or one of them in front of the other. They switch it up themselves on who is in front. Like they take turns. When walking side by side they found a 'side' they like walking on better all by themselves-- so Baloo will always be on Lily's right side. It's where he likes it best I guess. Feeding is still to this day interesting. Baloo - again- is quiet, munches on his food at his own pace, gets a drink and meanders away, very casual and content. Yet Lily, as I'm putting it in the bowl, every single meal time, gives a quiet low "rrrrrrrrr" and then turns to her bowl and eats as fast as she possibly can then gets a huge drink. A lot of times I have to stand there and watch them because Lily will occasionally get her panties all in a bunch and start growling louder and louder Like she's trying to get a rise out of Baloo. He HAS even gotten mad a time or 2 and then a fight started. Baloo likes to play- A LOT. With toys, no toys, balls, rope, squeakies... you name it. Lily is not much of a player at all. She will not get the toys and play with Boo. He will try and give her the rope over & over and she just looks at him like he's nuts. At the park Baloo will chase balls and Lily chases Baloo. I would say as long as you figure out both dogs personalities and can handle any situation... you'll have a great time. I can't wait to see pictures!!! |
I have 2 OES (14 yrs.//3 yrs))and one Beardie (7 yrs)...talk about a 'herdingfest'....  Since there is a huge age difference, I have the best of both worlds. Pearl is my perfect OES, calm, motherly and she has helped me teach Heart how to behave in the house. She takes no nonsense from either and will play with both when the mood strikes her. I think I will always have 2 dogs for my companionship, entertainment and joy. 3??? is just a little too much for me....  |
The positives obviously outweigh the negatives!!  ...but these are the ones I can think of that I'm sure have been mentioned by others already.1) taught the non-barker ...to bark 2) the barking level is through the roof as far as volume 3) the other can't walk unless he is literally touching the female dog so if one of us stops... the other one goes crazy and pulls and pulls 4) toy fighting 5) i'm constantly either brushing the dogs out or giving them a bath, but i don't know how frequently you give them to your dogs or how long their hair is ...and mine are fairly short and the grooming has my back out at the moment 6) thinking understanding my first dog's coat from a different breeder would be the same as the other - along the same lines... one dog absolutely stinks ALL the time. first dog never stinks, but the other one needs baths as much as the human kids! 7) medical bills and dog food bill ...can include boarding/grooming bills  trying to go on vacations |
| i have 2 about a year apart.. love having 2 they have each other to play with so i do not have to play all the time and they have each other when i am gone . and then when i am gone they counter surf and know they will not get into trouble as much cause i am not sure who took the cookie box and ate them all |
| I think the most important thing to remember is that they are their own individual selves. I have 3 at the current time (2 intact males ....a father & son) & a spayed girl. Ages are 5, 12 & 10 respectively. They all get along fine. But mine all seem to be extremely laid back in temperment. At one time we had 4 (when Melody was still alive). She was more dominant & ran the show. Still, they all got along fine. They keep each other company & they learn to "eat when it's put down" even in seperate kennels. But remember, they still need their own 1 on 1 time with you. You can't just lump them all together & expect them to get along because you are taking them all with you. Only down sides I ever saw were: you increase the reg. vet visits & reg. meds for fleas & heartworm control, you have to allow extra $$$$ for boarding when you go on vacation & the biggest one...........if they get the "the runs" they generally ALL get it & you can look at several days (like a week or more) of checking & cleaning poopy butts |
| I first got my girl when she was 8 weeks old. She is very lively and submissive. She will submiss to the smallest dog and even to the goldfish at the pet stores. I already had cats, but I felt that she was getting lonely for other canine companionship when we went to work. We got my boy when he was 3.5 years old from our breeder. He will play with Asterisk, but he is far more interested in human companionship. As time went on, it became more clear that when you get a second dog, it isn't for the other dog you own. As much as we humans may think so. Wendel is definitely a momma's boy. He has to be with me and touching me all the time. He and Asterisk sleep beside each other and he will play with her, but their relationship didn't turn out as I foresaw it. |
| Is your only gregarious? Or I guess a better term would be social? I've always had problems introducing new dogs to siMOne. She hates the thought of someone new entering the pack. I double encourage you to read up on how make the initial introduction....we've had the most success doing it away from home. Let the first sheepie get to know the newbie, take a long walk together so the initial dog realizes the newbie has standing with you...since you are the pack leader, or should be. Once home you'll have to watch everything carefully, feed separately or at least in the same room, far apart with you standing in between. Dogs are pack animals and if the pack is stable...that is if you are the calm but firm leader...then two is twice the fun and twice the work and expense. |
| I don't really remember only having 2..... Two would be so quiet, and lonely..... OK, I'm not the usual All the points made are valid. I think it is important to visualize yourself w/ 2 dogs. Think about the daily stuff - walking, grooming, feeding, training. Then the more occasional, but planned things - medications - vaccinations, HW meds, grooming costs (if you pay for it), grooming time (brushing, trimming if you do it yourself, nail trimming). And then there is the dreaded unexpected costs...emergencies  What is your life like, and how do you manage the current dog, and how will that affect life with 2? For some people there would be little change, for some it would seem like double the work and cost. We usually only have one OES at home, but Chewie's sister Martha has been living with us or just nearby for the last 2 yrs that LeAnne and family have had her. She and Chewie are very close and get along wonderfully. Each is really bonded to their human, but also are very bonded to each other. And they lived the 1st 2 yrs of their lives totally separate, and never really had any contact w/ each other. And the funniest thing is my son's Min Pin Dino.....he LOVED Ollie, our 1st OES. He literally climbed on him, rubbed all over him and actually hung from his hair  - yep, he would grab a mouthful under the jaw/neck and just hang...crazy dog. He has transfered that crazy behavior to Chewie - and Chewie honestly has NO idea why this freak dog is acting like this when we visit them - and only for him! He doesn't really like it, but just cocks an eye at me, like "WTH??, come save me!"I love a group of dogs, and the group dynamics that come with it. So does Todd, and we always find ourselves being K9 observers and noting funny things they do. But it's not for everyone. |
| OK, I'm not the usual "dawn" I cannot remember whan we only had 2 dogs......I do know that when we did I liked 2 better than 1 They helped occupy each other. Could have been bonding tearing up a comforter when I was at work but none the less they entertained each other (labs as I remember  ) I have had 4 dogs for as long as I can remember and always a foster or two. Sometimes there were issues with the fosters and I had to do some creative thinking but I have always enjoyed having a bunch of dogs around. I have entertained the thought of having two german Shepherds, two OES and two labs but as I get older (and guinness has had surgeries, bob has had surgeries and I had one knee replaced and the other needs done ugh) I think I will stick with the 2 oes 1 GSD and 1 lab and a foster or two. Someone ask me which dog is my favorite but they are like children you love them in different ways for different reasons. The other night bob and I were watching TV we had 3 dogs on the sofa with us and two at our feet and I said It just dosen't get better than this So Dawn I am right there with ya!!!!!Multiple dogs are not for everyone .Expense being the first thing that comes to mind but I think having two dogs is a good thing. As when my children were growing up we never minded the mess the noise and the fun!! Same as with the dogs. I guess its us farm folks  |
| I have two litter mates, and got them together at 8 weeks old. So they have only known life with at least the two of them, You'd think that would make it easier, but Noooooo... We actually sought out a behaviorist and an aggression specific trainer based on their fighting with one another from about 5 months old forward. The good news is, like your dog, they aren't actually aggressive. The bad news is they are constantly challenging each other for the role of leader, and guarding things from one another (or taking things). It requires extra training, and constant training, to keep MY role as the leader secure, and to keep them from fighting. Would I have done things differently? Not a chance. But be prepared for the worst, be prepared to be challenged and to have to work hard, and then be relieved when its not really all that bad! |
| I have 2, separated in age by 7 years. The pros, in my experience are: They do keep each other company, so I feel much less guilty leaving them alone at home. My older girl took on a LOT of the training (in things like "manners"  ) for my young one.Since Im married, its nice to each have a sheepie to snuggle  They play hard together, which helps with exercise, and to keep my older girl youthful and sharp. The cons: Both always seem to get sick at the same time  ...and not necessarily from the same thing. Right now its an ear infection for Bert, and a UTI for Abby Your relationship with each dog may not be as intense with two as with one. You may need: a bigger couch, bed, and car |
| 2 dogs?? What's that? Hasn't been for 28 years. Has been as many as 7, four is working well right now, a hand for each of them at pettin' time. Frankly I have no problem with multiple dogs and worry about the time we might be down to just one or two......and the need NOT to encrease the pack again. |
| We did fine with one dog but somehow Sassy came as a rescue and never left. Her biting issues made her a liability to place but she gets along fine with other dogs and we've learned how to handle her. In our small home two dogs really is the limit. We're constantly finding ourselves tripping over a dog here or there. A trip to the bathroom is like being the pied piper leading a trail of dogs. We currently have a foster which makes three dogs and it's very difficult. We're fortunate that Nelson and Sassy are always great ambassadors for the fosters we take in but walking through the house is like a minefield of sheepdog bodies. Our biggest problem is going on vacation because I won't leave Nelson behind and Sassy does not travel well. Having two dogs isn't much different than one but for us, three is definitely pushing the limits. |
| I actually don't mind having 4. 4 was nice. Everybody had a partner if we had to divide them up. I feel sorta bad for Isaac now with Melody gone. Most of the time Mariah goes out with José because those 2 are joined at the hip & play constantly. But Jim says no more dogs until Isaac is gone. If I didn't work it would be easier. 4 was pushing it. I never felt like I could give them all the quality time they needed. With 3, I feel like I can spread my time around after work more evenly. Actually, I don't think we ever considered the additional costs once we decided on more than 1. I only notice the multiplied amounts usually for major things like boarding for vacations. Mine all travel very well. They had to learn to do so early on for dog shows & to visit my son who lives 4 hours away. But vacations are another story. We never go on vacation where we can take the dogs. |
Maggie McGee IV wrote: In our small home two dogs really is the limit. We're constantly finding ourselves tripping over a dog here or there. A trip to the bathroom is like being the pied piper leading a trail of dogs. We have a spacious home for just the two of us, and the same problem. All the room in the world, and the dogs always have to follow me around. They sit in the bathroom with me, in my studio at my feet, have to be on the bed when I'm in it, on the couch if we're watching tv... you get the idea. Maggie McGee IV wrote: Our biggest problem is going on vacation because I won't leave Nelson behind and Sassy does not travel well. We don't vacation, but we travel often with work; about once a month. Boarding can get expensive, and since we don't like leaving our dogs with just anyone, they stay at a pretty posh place. Helps us with the guilt for how often we have to go out of town. But its definitely something to consider. |
| Edgar loved other dogs so I thought that getting another one would be great for him. In comes Aggie our English Shepherd puppy. Lee and I both decided that we liked Edgar better as an only dog. The two of them are constantly bossing each other around trying to be top dog. Edgar has gotten more bossy. When you have him by himself he turns back into his sweet mellow self. Potty times take double the time now as there is an extra dog that always needs walked. Aggie spurs Edgar on into barking more. When Aggie isn't trying to chew pieces off Edgar they do sleep near each other. Now, we wouldn't get rid of either one of them because we love them both. One for us was just a calmer more pleasant experience. Every dog and situation is different. |
OMG thanks for the tips and advise.  but you have now made it even harder to decide the idea of having two is just so appealing and this little girl is in desperate need of a good home, but truthfully my wife is so torn between yes and no. For anyone else interested check out Kijijji in New Brusnswick as she is listed there for free. I have also refered him to the NEOSD rescue as I do not wish to deprive "Sasha" to any possible good home while we prograstinate. Again thanks to all (Sheepdogrikki) |
Why not try to work out a "foster to adopt" arrangement with the rescue? That way you could find out how two dogs work in your home but still have the option of her going to another great home if necessary.  I wouldn't worry so much about depriving her of a good home but rather having her fall into the wrong hands. |
| I love having two. When we lost one I really felt I needed to get a second. There are tons of great reasons to have two, and tons of additional challenges, but I really enjoy two. One thing I did want to share, however, is that you have to be prepared to have two seniors at the same time if you get two who are close in age. We went through that with our two littermates not long ago, and it was tough dealing with "golden years" medical needs times two. And of course, being close in age, once we lost one we knew the clock was ticking for the other. The first ten years were bliss...the last few were hard. I vowed to NEVER again have two close in age. And then, when we had our not quite two year old EVIL PUPPY, and had just lost our second senior, we adopted a year to a year and a half old rescue sheepie...and he's come with all sorts of issues. But we're working through them. So, we're right back on that wagon, and honestly, I'd still do it again a third time. Sheepie joy is more than quadrupled when you double the number of dogs. But do be prepared for the potential stresses of two seniors at once...and it sounds like you'll have lots of time to prepare. Good luck. Fingers crossed for you and your potential new sheepie! |
| We have always had two at a time and they have always been males. With each set the pros have outweighed the cons--most all have been mentioned here. Times 2 with grooming time and costs and medical costs etc. In each case all have had very different personalities--typically one is very mellow and the other more energetic and challenging (second child lol). Currently my two are 4 years apart in age and enjoy a very close in relationship. Baley tolerates Baxter's antics very well and will often calm him down and when he has had enough he sometimes just separates himself. Baxter really never wants to be by himself. They eat together and sleep together and play together. We do try to give each one alone time--but they honestly are a little antsy when one is gone and the other at home. Both are truly 'velcro' dogs with us--they are rarely in one room and us in another. I wouldn't really know how to get along without a sheepie underfoot! We do travel with our sheepies and they both travel very well. All in all I can't imagine having just one! |
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