The more the merrier

[PitBullie09]

Here are some answers to people thinking if they shuld hget two or more dogs..

More...more hair care, care, and wear and tear
Here's a story problem-you do the math. Suzy vacuums twice weekly to control the hair shed by her dog, Sheba. If Suzy adds another dog, how will it change her vacuuming schedule?
Here's another. Suzy drives Sheba to the beach everyday so she can run and swim. When Sheba lays down she takes up the whole back seat, If Suy adds a second dog, what model of car will she trade up to.
Doubleing your dog population will add hair, subtract space, divide your attention, and multiply wear and tear on your furnishings.

BARKING DUETS
Two dogs may bark twice as much as one bc they set each other off.

LEADS
A multiple dog leash can handle more than one dog at a time. Prices range from 20-80.

Resource Arguments-
Competitions over resources is the most common trigger for canine conflict.

Pack Relations 101-
Dogd are social animakls that, in nature, form family-based packs for mutal protection, companionship, and hunting susseses.

Still deciding?Ash your dog!
-Does your dog play with others? Dogs that dont may not mlike another dogs company
-How possesive is your dog? If he gaurds his toys, food , and space thenan new addition dog will more than likely cause conflicts.
-How old is your dog? Younger dogs are generally more accepting of new doggie companions than seniors.
-How long since your dog has lived full time with another dog? If your dog has never. then he would prollie prefer not to.
-How are your dogs manners? If he is well trained and polite, he can help a new dog learn.

BEHAVOIR YOU CAN PERMIT:
-One dog postures with head and tail high.
-Both dogs begin with high postures
-Dogs tusske noisly

INTERVENE IF:
-Both dogs take high posture, locking eyes,
-Hard staring escalates to snarling or growling
-One dog yeilds but the other is presuring him.
-Dogs tussle silently
-One dog stops fighting but the other continues.
-You see blood.

POTENTIAL TRIGGERS:
*Food
*Attention form humans
*Beds
*Proximity form humans
*Toys
*Specific spots
*Anything else your dogs likes and is his!


WOO That was hard to type! lol! Trying to type with out looking so I thought I would post that I read out of a magizine

[Rip's Girl]

Hmm, some good points.

But I must say that my 11 month old had a much harder time adjusting to the new pup than the 12 year old.

[Carrie]

Hmmmm.....velly interestink! I'll have to give that one some thought and get back to ya. LOL. The math.....always had trouble with math.

[Rip's Girl]

OK, after some closer reading I've found some things that I don't agree with.

-Does your dog play with others? Dogs that dont may not mlike another dogs company

Buster doesn't play with other dogs. Ever. But he doesn't mind them.

-How are your dogs manners? If he is well trained and polite, he can help a new dog learn

.
I beg to differ. When we added Buddy to the family years ago, Shiner didn't teach him anything. In fact, she picked up on his digging problem.

INTERVENE IF:
-Dogs tussle silently

My dogs 'tussle' silently, and chase each other around the yard. I can tell by their body posture that it's a gesture of play, not aggression.

[Carrie]

BARKING DUETS
Two dogs may bark twice as much as one bc they set each other off.

I beg to differ with that one. Twice as much? If two of my dogs bark, they don't sound like a duet. They sound more like a full choir. It definitely has the potential to more than double. LOL.

Oh! It's just plain fun having multiple dogs. Yes, more hair, but that depends on the breed as to how much more. My Lab is the only one of my four which really puts out enough hair to knit a sweater.

More space....also depends. Chihuahuas don't take up much.

More fighting? Well, an occasional squabble but mostly Mom lets them know that she da alpha bi**h and they better walk the straight and narrow. LOL.

Second in seniority is my old Lab. She makes sure everyone else behaves themselves. She does show them how to calm down....she sets a good example for them in many cases.

Four dogs and I haven't traded up to a larger vehicle. My Outback wagon works fine. I just shove them all in the back, push with my foot, make sure no one is caught in the hinges and close the door. (That's for our short 1 or 2 mile trips to our hiking trails.)

Divided attention? Yes. But that's good. They get enough. I'm at home all day. Too much might go to their heads. LOL. Besides, they like eachother and play together and keep eachother company when I am not there.

More expense? Yes, indeed. No getting around that.

More hassle when you want to travel? Yes.

I wouldn't trade having these dogs for anything. They're wonderful...each and every one.

[PitBullie09]

Yea thats true but I said SOME adn MAYBE adn MAY! lol!

[Carrie]

Oh definitely Southerngirl. There are some drawbacks of course. It just depends how much of a nut one is.....when it comes to dogs. LOL.