2 canines better than 1?

[DocDolittle]

I've recently(since June 17 to be exact) been bugging my parents over and over about getting my yellow lab, Lucy, another adult canine friend from the shelter. I've been looking at pet finder and there have been some REALLY good candidates, but my parents refuse to give in. I have alot of responsibility over Lucy(feeding, grooming, bathing, walking) and I'm pretty sure adding another dog, though it would be twice as much to do, I would be fine with. Does anyone here have two dogs and notice a positive change in the dog when you brought the new one into the family? Hopefully gathering more data will help.

[DaCourt]

I have 3 pigs and 2 dogs. My 8 year old is in charge of feeding all of them, cleaning the cage and picking up in the back yard. It is easier having 2. Sammi is almost 10 and is a Golden Retriever/Sheltie mix. Louie is almost 4 and is a Lab, Dachsund (sp?), Jack Russel mix. We got him when he was just 9 months old. Sammi had been starting to slow down a bit, and since he has been with us, she has perked up a lot. He gets her moving and doesn't allow her to be sedentary for too long. He is a little terror too. But, if you seperate them, she goes crazy. Once he had to go to the vet and she freaked out that she was being left behind. When they go to the groomers, they are put in the same crate because she will howl and bark if he isn't with her.

Good luck convincing them. You did not sya how old your lab is, but if you do get another one, I would suggest getting one that is younger, if your dog is older than 5 or 6. It will help improve the quality of life.

[DocDolittle]

Lucy is 5, almost 6. Do you suggest getting a younger dog than? My mom refueses to get another puppy, but maybe 2 years old, because they're pretty much considered 'teens' there.

[joab97]

Dogs are pack animals..so they usually do better with another dog. My mom had 5 dogs...small ones..and they were all really close. The oldest dog is 16 and she still plays like she's a puppy..although not as much. She had to have her 14yr old dog put to sleep acouple of months ago and the other dogs sensed it, they mopped around for a few days. I have 2 dogs and they get along pretty good. Buy I have to watch, Gypsy is a beagle and Rebel is a lab..when they play..Rebel usually runs her over.

[DaCourt]

I would get a younger dog. I did not want a young puppy either. Unfortunately for me...Louie is almost 4 and is still very much a puppy. But, that's a jack russell for you.

I think adopting a 2 year old dog from a shelter or rescue is a great idea. I would look into a place that allows you to bring your other dog along to test for compatability. This way you can see how they will get along. The one we too, it was a requirement for the whole family and all other dogs come so they could see everyone interact.

[tashagurl]

My two dogs are inseperable. My golden retriever, Kasey, was three when we got our yorkie mix, Leilani. KAsey was lonley and depresed before we got Lani because we were at school or at my dads house a lot. It was the best thing we ever did when we got Lani. They sleep together, eat together, play together, they do everything together. If these pictures dont convince your parents every dog should have a canine friend, I dont know what will. Good luck!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...othercouch.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...seyandLani.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...niandKasey.jpg

[DocDolittle]

Oh, Tasham your puppies are adorable! It sucks though, because even though I doubt my mom would get Lu a friend anyway, we have a day care in our home, so lotsa kids! I'm hoping once I begin volunteering at the local shelter(can you believe that you have to be 15-16 or older and have at least three OUT OF FAMILY recommendations to volunteer there if you are a teenager, but not if you're an adult!!!) I can introduce my mom to a dog or two, .

[AngelsCavies]

I love your dogs tasha. they are cute. I have a golden retriever and german shepard mix. She is a sweetheart. she has both personalites. She is always a goldie when she is around anyone at home giving us paws and really loves to play. But when it comes to rough housing boy she turns to a shepard and she is very protective of us. She dont like it when someone she dont know walks in our house.

[Faunn]

We don't have 2 dogs, but sometimes we dog-sit for my moms friend, try suggesting it to your parents and it could prove that you can take care of 2 dogs.