hey all-

im sure my dog is happy and healthy but, we both work- im full time- OH is 5hrs a day.

Flo is a good girl and enjoys life, but i worry she gets lonely/bored whilst we are out of the house, would you get another dog for this reason- if we did, it'd be a rescue, older male for her to look up to.

the addition wouldnt just be viewed as company for our existing dog, he'd be loved just as much and spoilt just as much!

what do you guys reckon? think about it from our existing dogs point of view...

we have enough room, finances etc.

Firstly how old is Flo chrisjack? :-)

Personally, I don't think that getting a dog for company alone is a good enough reason. Does your dog actually need company ?? Our older dog, Bramble, would be perfectly happy being a solitary dog :) We got Tara for my daughter and to do agility, training with etc The dogs aren't that keen on each other - they tolerate each other (just about - they can go in the same kennel when we go away without problem :) ) but they never lie down together like some dogs and never play together :) Yes - I am sure that they appreciate the company when left alone in the house or in kennels, but Bramble, certainly, would be more than happy being a doting, only dog :D

Just something to think about - obviously a lot of dogs really like each other :D

Daisy

I think it depnds on your dog, what breed is she? My dogs do really enjoy each others company. The two collies play together about 23 hours a day :rolleyes: The two borzois are always to be found lying next to each other, and groom each other and clean each otehrs ears all the time :)

my boys have the occasional punch up but they love being together and I feel happier leaving them knowing they have each other for company - I thought all they did all day was sleep until I got home today and found they had emptied out my show bag, probably looking for food !!  When I took Alfie to Blackpool for a long weekend to the show there I left Fagan at home with my then OH, when I got home he was more pleased to see Alfie than he was me :rolleyes:

My two really love eachother,I am not away from the house that much but they do get left all dayonly on a monday.They cry thier eyes out if i ever have to seperate them(only going to the vets)
If I was ever left with one,(god forbid) I would go get another straight away,for the comfort for the other dog,and me.

If you can give  a rescue dog a loving home,and to keep your girl company I would say go ahead,surely all good reasons,lets face it,you would have thousands to choose from.

Or what about a cat?  Our group of one dog and four cats give evidence every day that they enjoy each others company.  With the current group it is a little one sided with the cats being more affectionate toward the dog.  In another time our dog actively sought out a kitten just as much as the kitten did her and we observed wonderful interactions.  I've always thought the advantage of a cat friend is the play would not get too rambunctious and wreck the house as the cat friend would not be able to keep up with a Lab.  I bet someone else has had a different experience though.  Even in my experience it was always the cat who "won."

hmmm, Rupert my youngest cat was shut in with the boys today - I wonder if it was him that emptied the bag, the boys are usually so well behaved

we observed wonderful interactions :)

Yes, that's the best part about multiple animal households. I am endlessly fascinated by the way mine interact - and each and every day they will have me laughing out loud at their antics :)

My cats always win.They keep law and order within this house

My "bitch" cat rules, unless there is food involved then she gets flattened by Alf - the ganet :rolleyes:

It is lovely how they all interact, always amazes me how they understand each other when they are totally different species.

I think that the main problem with our two dogs is that Bramble was a stray and is part GSD :) He is totally a Daddy's boy and is very jealous of anyone (dog or human) getting between him and his God :D :D It never gets as far as biting, but he will woof to tell people/Tara to go away. Now, he doesn't get his own way most of the time and Tara (and humans) gets her fair share of attention, but this doesn't stop Bramble grumbling :D

Daisy

Flo is 1 yr and 8months old.
She is a lakeland x irish terrier! hmm, she's actually a cutie, but occasionally turns into a red devil! shes the boss, end of.. but will respect older dogs alot.

We have an older cat- who loves cuddles and playtimes with Flo, but she has started going out more and more. They still cuddle, they do also scrap like 'cat and dog'! but only ever playing, Flo loves her to bits and i think views her as big sis... they get treats together, and Flo actually waits for Tali to eat hers first, then she gets a treat!

lakeland x irish terrier and 1 year and 8 months.

um...... terriers as a breed are little bossy britches. :-D Which may give a different perspective on things, having another dog with her may start to encite some pack barking, you are right in saying she would need an older male to look up to if you should get another dog, it would have to be a very calm dog or your home will turn into a speed chase circuit with lots of noise and playfighting otherwise, due to the length of time they would be left alone they would no doubt play together to while away the hours, particularly as your Flo is still quite young.

She has no doubt learnt your routine and to sleep peacefully whilst you are both away, with no-one but the cat to get into trouble with, personally if you were home more I would say go for it, but as there is a lot of alone time and mixing and matching dogs can be very hit and miss, I think probably best not with her breeding characteristics, I think you would get more havoc than harmony.

If the time should come when you can have more home time, then it would be a brilliant idea. :-)

thanks! this is what i think actually, Flo has a bad hip- (due to farm breeding) and i think if she is left another dog, she may well get fiesty and hurt herself! i also have a worry that she may just annoy the other dog- as  she is very persistant!

i'll have to just hope that this lad gets a fab home, and wait till Flo either calms down, or till i have more time at home..

there are many cats needing homes, and Flo is surprisingly lovely with cats, much nicer than when she is around dogs..i suppose cats demand more respect??

as long as Flo's a happy girl, i think she loves being the only dog, and actually- we love spoiling our little baby (or BRAT!)

cheers for the advice xxxx

If I open the fridge door,and say who wants some ham?my two dogs and two cats come running to all sit in a line,and wait patiently while all being given a piece.It is the only time i ever have complete control.

Ooh I don't know.

When my now oldest Kizi was about 15 months she stayed at my Dds,a and their cat was a few months younger and they got on great.

One day when we went shopping leaving them together they had a fab time dragging the papyrus plant and it's liquid contents all over The hall, and stairs.

there were cat prints up the walls and dog paw prints on the stairs, and they were innocently curled up asleep when we got back.