March 10, 2025, 9:46 am | Read time: 7 minutes
What’s better than a dog? Two dogs! Multi-dog owners know that. Provided they are lucky — or have paid attention to a few things. This starts with the first dog and ranges from selection to training. This is what you need to consider when getting a second dog.
The idea of having two dogs sounds tempting to many animal lovers: more playmates, less boredom, and perhaps even a relief in everyday life. But before you decide to get a second dog, there are important aspects to consider — especially when it comes to choosing the right new family member.
No Siblings of the Same Age!
At first glance, a second dog seems to offer many advantages. After all, the animals could entertain each other and potentially make coping with solitude easier. But the reality is often more complex. In addition to the double time commitment and higher costs, the right combination of dogs should be carefully considered.
One crucial mistake should be strictly avoided: “Never adopt two littermates of the same age simultaneously,” cautions behavioral consultant Rolf C. Franck. The expert, who operates the Blauerhund dog school near Cuxhaven with his wife Madeleine and is the author of Darf’s einer mehr sein? (May there be one more?), stresses that even seasoned dog aficionados can struggle with this pairing.
Why Siblings Are Difficult
Letting two littermates of the same age grow up together may seem practical at first glance — after all, they are already used to each other. However, this is precisely the issue: the bond between the dogs can grow so intense that the human’s role as a caregiver becomes secondary. This can lead to training problems, jealousy, or increased competitive behavior. In addition, joint training is often made more difficult as the dogs distract each other.
Instead of getting two puppies at once, experts recommend raising and training one dog before bringing in a second. An age difference of around two to three years is ideal, as the older dog can give the younger one guidance without becoming too dependent.
“I wouldn’t expect a very old dog to have a temperamental youngster. Sure, he could certainly be pushed a bit, but if he’s in a bad way or in pain, that wouldn’t be fair.”
Double the Costs — More Training Effort
A critical consideration: owning two dogs means not only double the happiness but also double the expenses — such as for food, veterinary care, taxes, and insurance. It’s also important to have the right environment for getting a second dog. “Of course, you should also have enough space and enough opportunities to spend time with the animals,” says Rolf Franck. Because: “The more dogs you have, the better you have to train them.”
And that’s where the next aspect comes into play: the timing has to be right. Because the first dog should ideally have reached a stable stage of behavior before a second animal is introduced to the home, for example, you should be able to take the first dog for a relaxed walk without any problems. “Otherwise, it will be difficult with the second dog,” says Rolf Franck.
Can Dogs Train Each Other?
The notion that two dogs can effectively train each other may prove counterproductive. “It definitely doesn’t work,” warns dog trainer Petra Führmann. She runs the Aschaffenburg Dog Center and is an author (Two dogs – double the joy).
“Little problems then become problems that multiply.” Her advice: “If there were already problems before, you should do your best to clear them up first because things usually get much worse afterward.” The reason: “For one thing, two dogs are more distracted.” Secondly, the dog friends naturally have even more fun getting up to mischief, says the dog trainer.
Avoid Guessing — Seek Professional Advice
If this is the case, there are other questions that owners need to ask themselves before acquiring a second dog: Should it be the same breed again or perhaps a different weight class? How old should the new roommate be?
Rolf Franck advises owners to be guided by their own wishes. Nevertheless, there are also combinations that can make life difficult for dogs and owners. One example: “There are practical risks with a Great Dane and a Chihuahua.” But that doesn’t necessarily mean it can’t work out.
Petra Führmann has four dogs herself — including an Old German Shepherd and a Chihuahua. Before buying a second dog, she recommends seeking the advice of an expert who can take an objective look at the old dog.
After all, it is quite possible that an animal is better off remaining the “lone prince or princess.” She does not believe that it is helpful to focus solely on the characteristics of individual breeds. Because, as with people, the same applies to dogs: “Every dog is different!” In case of doubt, this also applies to the second dog.
Don’t Treat Dogs the Same and Intervene
Even after overcoming this challenge and finding a second dog that gets along with the first, there is still potential for issues. “The biggest mistake is to treat them the same,” says Führmann. After all, the animals are not the same and have different statuses.
Even with uncomplicated dogs, there are points at which owners should intervene. For example, if the puppy is constantly annoying a good-natured, older dog. “Then I can definitely say to the new one: You leave him alone now!”
And when it comes to food: “It’s important that everyone gets their own. I don’t swap anything — not even a chew bone. I don’t allow that,” says Führmann.
Old Dogs Must Not Miss Out
“You have to be aware that every dog has certain needs,” says Rolf Franck. These can be very different, even if the animals belong to the same breed.
Age also has an influence on this. If you buy a puppy as a second dog, for example, you have to invest a lot of individual time in it, especially in the first year of its life. This is because the dog needs to develop independently of its big brother or big sister so that there are no major problems when the animal is on its own. You have to work towards the puppy building up a close relationship with humans and making them its favorite play partner.
And this is precisely where owners have to perform a balancing act. This is because the old dog must not be neglected either. “He still has to be given his due and be able to have his peace and quiet,” says Franck. According to the dog professional, when animals are annoyed or feel pressured, they don’t always show this by being defensive; they can also react depressively.
Caution: Two dogs Are Already a Pack
From his own experience, he knows that multi-dog owners mainly have problems because a special group dynamic develops between two dogs.
For example, one of them sees a deer fleeing and runs after it. This chasing and hunting is a self-rewarding behavior that releases happiness hormones. “And there’s nothing better than doing it together,” says Franck. Or the opposite happens: Two dogs don’t get on well together. “In most cases, however, this can be resolved surprisingly well,” reassures the dog trainer.
If you have more than one dog, it is important to take a de-escalating approach. For example, if you notice that one of the two dogs only looks sternly and the second one turns away immediately, positive feedback should be given, he advises. “Peaceful behavior in the dog group should always be encouraged,” says the trainer.
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Give Yourself and the Animals Time
Above all, patience becomes essential. “If you have an older dog, it can take a few weeks for them to settle in,” emphasizes Führmann. According to her own observations, it took about ten days for the older animals to at least accept the new member.
Once people and animals have gotten used to the new arrangement and everything fits, they can enjoy their new pack life. “A walk becomes so enjoyable when you see their joy of movement and their liveliness. I can really enjoy it myself,” says Rolf Franck.
With material from dpa