10 questions to ask before taking a second dog! Bringing a dog home is a huge decision and certainly not a decision to make lightly. The concept is nice: having a dog is often very pleasant! But, it is not a decision so simple and light as it seems! You must assume this dog until his death! It seems that this is what so many people forget when they envision a second animal. You might like the idea of having a second dog in your house, but what happens when you make it a reality?
It may not be as simple and enjoyable as you thought it was before, which can make things a little uncomfortable and uncomfortable at home. You see, having a first dog is such a big choice that so many people think the second is no different. The truth, though, is that it’s very different. A second dog means you have to do everything twice. It is not always as simple as it may seem and that is why it is absolutely imperative to consider some elements before making the final decision to adopt a second dog.
Here are the 10 questions to ask before taking a second dog!
1# Does the rest of the family agree?
You have to ask that question every time you bring a dog home, whether it’s your first or your second or even your tenth. If your family doesn’t want another dog, it’s not a good idea to bring another dog.
2# Do you have children at home?
Your first dog might be comfortable with the kids, because he was raised with them. Another dog might not accept children based on his experience and this could be a problem for owners. So you have to think about the situation, before choosing your second dog.
3# Can you afford a second dog?
You can’t take care of a dog if you can’t afford to. You must be able to take care of your first dog in a way that allows it to live serenely, but also for the next dog. You need money for veterinary visits, food, water, toys and medicines. Can you handle that for two dogs?
4# Do you have time to devote to a new dog in addition to the first?
Among the questions to ask yourself before taking a second dog, there is: Do you have time for a second dog? You may think so because you have time to take care of your first dog. But, your current time may not be enough to integrate a second dog into the family. Indeed, with a second dog, everything takes more time:
- the walks
- the games
- the education
You must have extra time in addition to the time you are already spending for your first dog.
5# Is your first dog sociable?
If you have a dog that doesn’t get along with other dogs or is uncomfortable with them, that’s probably not a good idea. You have to ask yourself if the dog you already have will be able to integrate a new companion into the house, at the risk of being unhappy.
6# How old is your first dog?
Some adult or aging dogs do not like to make contact with puppies. This means that your old dog may not adapt to the arrival of a new puppy. This is a very important consideration that you need to do before bringing another dog home. It’s exhausting for a dog, as it is for a human, to have to integrate a newcomer at home. The dog has to make new marks and adapt. It’s not always easy.
7# Why really decide to adopt a second dog?
This is a very important question. Indeed, not all the reasons are good for taking a dog. For example, you don’t take a second dog, just so that the first dog stops being bored. Then they could get bored together. The second dog should not be an excuse to make up for a lack of investment from the master.
Here’s an article about the top 10 bad reasons to take a dog.
8# What has changed since you had your first dog?
How did your life change? You have a dog, but you didn’t always have that dog. What’s so different about your life now that you want a second dog? You really need to consider an honest answer here before making the decision to bring another dog home. Changes can be good, as they can make you live a hell. Are you ready for new changes?
9# How will this change your life?
How will having a second dog change your life? Will this make your life more enjoyable, because your children have moved and you lack company? Will this allow you to spend more time at home or more time being active? How will a second dog change your life?
10# Do you have a house big enough?
Just because your house is large enough or comfortable enough for a dog, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s comfortable enough for the second dog. It is a very good idea to consider the space you have in your home and how it will affect both dogs. Is there enough space for them to find their own place and not be forced to stay together if they do not wish to?
Adopting a dog is never trivial! So, imagine a second? I hope this article on the 10 questions to ask yourself before taking a second dog could help you!
Leave a Comment