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Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2013 1:59 pm Post subject: Should I get a companion dog?

Hi everyone! I'd like to ask your opinion on my situation. I have a one year old Shih Tzu mix that I absolutely adore. I am going back to school and I wanted to get your thoughts on getting a companion pup for him. My class only meets once a month, so I am not worried about spending too much time away from him physically. But, because we only meet once a month, I will have a lot of reading and writing to do at home. I was thinking that if he had a little sister, they would be able to keep each other from getting bored while I am busy reading.

Also, on the one hand, he LOVES other dogs. On the other hand, he is incredibly spoiled and I don't know how he would feel about sharing my attention with another dog.

What do you think?

Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2013 4:33 pm Post subject:

The most important thing to consider is whether you have the time, money and desire to take on responsibility for another dog. If you are going to have a lot of stress due to the demands of your class then obtaining another pet is not going to be a great idea.

Also, you say you'd like your dog to have a "sister". Rather than focusing on a specific gender, if you decide to get another dog, try to find a dog that is compatible in temperament and activity level. As long as both pets are altered gender matters very little.

Good luck making your decision! Remember that your pampered little pooch is going to be happy so long as you can give plenty of love and kisses a few times per day and just be a presence to lie beside when you are busy with the demands of class.

Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2013 7:49 pm Post subject: Hmmm

Thanks Starpunk! I was only focusing on getting a female because everything I read suggested getting the opposite sex; especially when it comes to male dogs.

I have the money and desire, but I am not looking forward to housebreaking again. It almost broke me the first time...

I might just slow down on the search and see how he acts for the first few months. My original goal was to get a playmate for him in a year and a half, when I get a house. I might go back to that.

Thanks again!!!

Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2013 3:18 pm Post subject:

I think waiting may be the better idea...ESPECIALLY if you are thinking of adding a puppy (and I may be jumping to a conclusion there, but when you say "little sister" and mention housebreaking that is what came to my mind).

Honestly, either way though...adding a new dog or puppy is not guaranteed to go smoothly, and it may take more time to integrate the newcomer than you would imagine.

Also, IMO/IME two dogs is not necessarily less time consuming/attention grabbing than one. I have four dogs now, and four are more demanding than three, three were more demanding than two, and two were more demanding than one!

Seems like you've already thought this all through...I think your guy will be happy being an "only dog" for a while. I know my Oscar would LOVE to be an only Laughing

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