[Donna5503]

Hi...I only have one dog....I am home all day and play with my dog & talk with him ....but not all day....but I sometimes think he's lonely --

Do you think a one dog household is OK?

 

[wvasko]

Yes it is Ok, unless you are bad company for your dog. Be patient there will be people telling how much you need another dog. Do not leave anybody guilt you into a second dog unless you personally want it. One dog in home (yours) sounds like it is working great. 2 dogs can also work out great, but and a big but, the second dog could make the peaceful home a nightmare. At the very least it will be somewhere between peaceful and nightmare. The big factor is your energy level because it's going to be more work, more noise, more messes and also more love. So it's a personal decision your dog will survive either way.

 

[lovemygreys]

I think it depends on the breed...some breeds are happier being "onlys" than others. I think greyhounds are a breed best enjoyed in multiples...and I truly think retired racers are happiest living with at least one other greyhound.

 

[MrsJohnnyG]

Our older dog was an only child for several years, and she was quite content. (Every evening she would want to play-fight with us, which was cute but tiring sometimes to have to get on the floor and rumble with her!) I do think she missed the companionship of another dog, BUT, we didn't take her to dog parks etc. regularly at the time (shame on us). I think if you're having play dates or dog park time every day, that can satisfy their need to have another dog around.

I do have to admit that now that we have puppies in the house, she acts a lot happier... spends more time outside and it's obvious she has a blast playing with the puppies... but, don't feel guilty if you're not at a point where you can bring another dog into your home at this time. It's good that you're home much of the time and can be a companion to him.

 

[sheltiemom]

Depends on the dog, depends on you and your household...I would never advise anyone to get a second dog just as a companion to the first, however I personally like to have more than one...that's me though, I have one dog who I am sure would prefer to be an only dog, one that could go either way, and two that are practically joined at the hip and are much happier as a pair.

 

[hulkamaniac]

It really does depend on the dog and to some extent on the breed. Some dogs are built and bred to work alone and I think tolerate humans because we feed them and even then it's sometimes under duress. Other dogs live and breathe for human companionship and can't get enough of it.

 

[Erick Aguilar]

A husky is a pack dog, they are bred to pull sleds in large groups, and do best with a furry friend.

Unless, as it was stated, you spend alot of time with him, play, etc...etc... That's another reason why Huskies are so good family dogs, they need the family to feel like they are part of the pack, but me for example, my dog preffer to be more time outside.. and he has a Furry friend to play with from time to time.

 

[Mac'N'Roe]

One dog households are FINE! You don't necessarily NEED another dog. If you WANT another dog, that's another story...but two is more than double the work in some aspects. It COULD be a playmate for your dog...but that's not a given. Mac'n'Roe play together sometimes, but generally...they want ME there to play with them. I sometimes think Mac would be happier as an only dog. Roe, I think so too.

 

[spotted nikes]

I started having more than one dog in 1989. I will never go back to having just a single dog. They all seem to be much happier with company. My 3 that I have now all get individual attention, but will play together, and sleep next to each other. If one of them doesn't feel like playing, the other one will usually oblige.

 

[BanJojo]

I didn't intend to have a two dog household, but ended up with two dogs. It's definitely more than I bargained for, but it's also really great. The older dog, that was also there first, seemed to want a companion, always trying to get the cat to play and stuff. But sometimes she seems a little annoyed at Banjo's energy level, and sometimes they do fight or at this point try to fight (I've gotten good at stopping it before it starts). Banjo can be a little bratty and nasty if she has a bone to play with (but not food aggressive at all, oddly). However the majority of the time that they are active with each other, it is in play, and they both really seem to enjoy have that.
It really does have it's pros and cons. I can't say that if I had been able to make the decision myself, I would have wanted a two dog household, however now that I have it, I would never imagine not wanting one of them both for my sake, and for each other's sake.