Hello

Normally when we go out and leave our single dog, she gets lots of toys left behind (Kongs, Stuffed Food Balls etc) to help keep her amused when we are out.

We may be thinking of getting a second dog in the future, and once they are settled in together and get so that we are happy they can be left on their own together, I was wondering whether it would be sensible to leave them things to amuse them or whether its likely to cause scraps.

I suppose it could be down to the two dogs and how they get on with toys and things normally?  Currently when mums dog comes to stay, they both happily swap toys and don't snap at food - a case of as soon as one drops the toy the other one immediately wants it etc, but no posessiveness.    Perhaps its also I guess down to the two dogs?  I just wondered what others did with multiple dogs.

All toys are left with all dogs who are together (between 3-5 dogs) However no food is left JIC especially as we have two entire males when we're not there :)

i have 3 dogs, a castrated male and 2 bitches. i dont do anything "abnormal" when i leave them./ however i rarely ever leave them as i am a full tiem carer for my disabled girl . so even thougth there are times when i go out, the dogs are used to being out in the yard alone for most of the day, with access to the kitchen and a covered room outside for them witch they use by choice most of the time. so i can moniter them with out them knowing i am here.
i leave them the usual chews and stuffed kongs as well as there toys, some carboard to shred and some wood to chew on as well.

i never have any problems. in fact i have more problems when they know i am there.
once they have learnt to settle with each other, they enjoy just being dogs i find, and love each others company. as i type this all 3 of my dogs are playing in the yard.

Agree with the others, dogs/pups, have no problems sharing toys, there is also no problem in leaving dry food down either, the one and only thing you may get a reaction to is leaving bones and chews, but that will depend on your dogs, I can leave all with a bone/chew and they will eat just theirs and not try to take from each other, a pup may try to take an older dogs,or vice versa, most will not care but some might, so until you know how they react with each other, just leave toys and dry food down.

I can leave dry food down that's fine with my dogs, although I do put them in seperate bowls.  I cannot leave toys though as my youngest male is toy possessive and would attack my eldest male if he went to get it!

Toys chucked all over the lounge usually, but never leave a chew or pigs ear when I go out ,Id have a war on my hands,or you find them buried in the sofa.

It depends on your breed of dog to be honest, and the dogs themselves as some of these responses prove. With my lot I can leave pigs ears, rawhide chews, filled kongs and toys down but not fresh raw bones - bones on the 2nd day of use only. Leave it till you've got your second dog and you see how they interact with toys etc to decide. :)

my 3 (2males and 1 bitch) have toys down all the time, and there is no problem, the 2 males are fine with sharing chews as well, but the bitch gets a bit possesive of hers, so they are split when i am in, to half a chew.  all are fine with bones though. i guess it just depends on the individuals involved.

My lot, 2 dogs (9.5 & almost 4) and a bitch (almost 8) are fine with toys and food.  If the bitch wants something, she just takes it and the boys let her!!  :)
The young dog idolises the older dog, so would never dream of challenging him for anything.
I don't leave mine with chews as I'm worried someone may choke while I'm not there :( not that they ever have, just me being a worrier :)

My two get left nothing except water but both of mine are kennel whenever I go out.  I was always warned about leaving chews, etc incase the dog got one stuck in their throat.

I never leave food down unless it is a meal time - as I have always been told that leaving food gives the dog the feeling that they choose when to feed not you (but I know from reading other posts that people have differing views on that) - all I can say is that it appears to work for my two.

Looking at the posts above and following their advice you shouldn't go far wrong - my only comment would be to see how the two get on with the toys/chews when you are there and you may be able to determine their possible behaviour from this.

I have two dogs, they are never left with toys, all toys belong to me and only come out when they interact with me.

The same applied when I have/had one.

If they are left, they have each other to play with (when adult) or, if one is a puppy, then they are separated.

They do however have things such as stuffed kongs etc when separate.

Hi there,

Pretty much depends on the two dogs. My dogs always have toys around to play with, but I keep a few 'special' toys that only come out whilst training, as rewards.

I never feed my dogs together, because I feel that it makes them eat faster because of the fear that the other dog will come and steal its food.

I always give them both a chew and they know it is unacceptable to swap. This is more a training thing, as I don't want to micro manage them.

Personally, I wouldn't leave them with a chew or a high value item/food when I am not there as the lower ranking is likely to lose it to the higher ranking. If you have hierarchy problems, then big mistake as they will fight hard to control resources.

However, it is a good idea to crate train them, so that they can have their own personal space and chew their own chews in peace without the danger of conflict. Either that or put them in separate rooms.

All the best,
Patty

Thank you everyone for the responses.   I will just have to see how dog numbers 1 and 2 interact - common sense really.

Now for the exciting bit of planning and looking for dog number 2!  can't be till september but doesn't stop me looking now!

I can leave food toys out with both of mine withoiut arguments, but as I've been feeding some of their daily allowance in activity toys I need to know who's eaten what.

I am now leaving them in the kitchen/dining room when I go out, and I have an extendable gate between teh two rooms. That way they are together but can't get to each others toys, so I know if they've eaten or not. Actually when I come home one has leapt the gate so they are together, but I've left a video camera on them and they don't join each other until they've finished their food. Glad they've got their priorities right!

You could try something like that if you got another dog, or even introduce a crate and crate train the new one to be happy and relaxed in there with kongs/chews etc.

I have no problem leaving mine with recreational bones which aren't considered high value except for the first day.

They are just as ahppy to share with canine visitors as there is always pletny to go around.