Is it ok to Leave Two Dogs Alone?

Leaving two dogs alone together is usually ok, as long as they are both calm and friendly dogs who have been living together for some time. It is never a good idea to leave two dogs alone if they have just been introduced to each other or if either dog is aggressive. Leaving two dogs alone together if they have only just met or if one or both dogs show signs of aggression is a disaster waiting to happen.

Dogs are pack animals, which means they usually live in groups; there is typically no problem with dogs being around each other unless one or both dogs try to assert domination over the other. 

Dominant behaviour within a pack is entirely normal but, it can lead to a fairly vicious fight if neither is willing to submit to the other. Researching the breed and typical breed behaviours are essential before deciding to add another dog to your household.

Is having two dogs difficult?

Having two dogs is usually no different from having one unless one or both dogs display behavioural issues, and then having two dogs can be very challenging. Sometimes, introducing a second dog who isn’t so well behaved can introduce unwanted behaviour to other dogs in the home. Before you add another dog to your pack, you must make sure you can deal with any unwanted behaviour and nip it in the bud before it gets out of hand.  

Why getting two puppies is a bad idea?

Think of a puppy like a baby; one baby is manageable. Two babies are hard work. You get double the peeing, pooping and training, and double the trouble. Even if you have done all the research, and chosen to purchase a puppy from a well established, sound breeder, you can never tell what behavioural issues your new puppy might inherit. 

It is likely when having two puppies simultaneously that both of them will display the bad behaviours because they learn off each other. A puppy in the hands of an inexperienced dog owner can lead to an uncontrollable adult dog, add a second to the mix, and you have the ingredients for a tough road ahead.

Are dogs happier in pairs?

As mentioned above dogs are pack animals which means they don’t like to be alone; however, a dog can view a human as part of their pack, so having two dogs is not necessary for a dog to be happy. 

It is important to remember there is a particular order of who belongs where within a pack, dogs will fight with other pack members, including humans, for their place within the pack. This is also another reason why you should research the breed and their typical behaviours before you decide to introduce a dog into your pack.

Should I separate my dogs at night?

Separating your dogs at night is a personal choice, but it would also depend on the type of dog you have, and whether your dog displays any behaviours that can be harmful to himself or other dogs within the household. 

Dogs can be sly and hide specific actions until they are alone. It is also common for dogs to bully other dogs when their loving owner isn’t around to see it, especially towards older dogs so separating them at night time is needed to keep them and the other dogs within the home safe. 

Is it better to have two dogs of the same gender?

Some people think that having two dogs of the same gender is better than two dogs of the opposite gender, but this isn’t the case. Two dogs of the same gender are more likely to fight; females can and will fight to the death when challenged by another female. 

We have all seen wildlife programmes at one time or another, and most often the ones we see or remember are the ones with silverback gorillas. Like dogs, gorillas have a hierarchy and will fight each other to find their order within the pack, usually, the males fight each other because only one can be in charge, and it is the same with dogs. 

Putting two males or two females together in the same household can lead to a fight to be the boss, and if neither is willing to submit to the other, the battles will continue, getting more and more vicious each time.  

Do dogs get lonely?

Yes, dogs do get lonely, mostly if they are left alone for long periods of time. As previously mentioned dogs are pack animals, which means they need to be around other dogs or humans in order to be happy, leaving a dog alone for long periods of time can result in destructive or unwanted behaviours.

Does having two dogs help separation anxiety?

Some people say yes you should get a second dog If your dog has separation anxiety, but you have to ask yourself; 

• Why does my dog have separation anxiety? 
• Are you giving your dog all the attention it needs to be happy and healthy? 
• Are you leaving your dog for long periods of time?
• Are you able to commit to training your dog?

If you cannot commit to your dog by giving it the time it needs to stop the separation anxiety, then adding a second dog is irresponsible. If you cannot commit to one dog, how can you commit to a second dog? 

Does getting a second dog help with boredom?

If you are providing your dog with all the things it needs to be happy and healthy, then your dog will never be bored. A bored dog means that you are not providing it with everything it needs, and they are finding other ways to occupy themselves. 

Bored dogs don’t need another dog to occupy them; they need walks, play, stimulation and training. Getting another dog to provide these things will eventually lead to two bored dogs.   

Is it a good idea to get two puppies from the same litter?

No, we don’t recommend getting two puppies simultaneously, but more so getting two from the same litter. Getting two puppies from the same litter usually results in what is known as littermate syndrome, which can lead to an unhealthy reliance on each other. 

This reliance on each other can interfere with your relationship with them and your ability to control unwanted behaviours. If they have each other, then why do they need you? 

Puppies from the same litter will usually display separation anxiety, not from you but from each other, making it difficult if you need to separate them for an extended period of time, like a trip to the vet for example. 

Littermates almost always result in aggression further down the line; it may start as squabbles or spats with each other but can result in an all-out war. Littermates usually have a false sense of security with each other. They have each other to protect them and often show aggression towards other dogs, which can get them into trouble. 

The only way to stop this behaviour in littermates is to separate them. Separate feeding times, individual walks, independent training, you have to sever their reliance on each other completely.

Why is one of my dogs suddenly attacking the other?

There could be several reasons that a dog suddenly starts attacking another, but the most likely answer is pack order. If a dog has sensed a change in his/her pack, then a shift in hierarchy is likely about to happen, this can be due to the introduction of another dog or even sickness within the group. If a dog in the pack becomes weak, the dog below him/her will inevitably want to reassert themselves, resulting in them attacking the other dog. 

How do you know if a dog fight is serious?

Dogs usually bark and growl during play, and it can seem like they are fighting when they aren’t. You can tell if a dog fight is serious or not by looking at the body language of the dogs involved. 

The dogs will show a happy, bouncy appearance during play, sometimes nipping and running away barking or yapping. They can roll on their backs or bow in front of the other dog, but during a fight, their body language and facial expressions will change to show aggression, for example; 

• The dog’s body becomes stiff and rigid
• Hair on the dog’s back will usually become raised
• They will display a closed mouth with a curled lip, making a warning growl
• Movements will become quick and sharp unlike the usual bouncy movements displayed during play
• Ears will become pinned with the lips curled back while snarling
• The tail is tucked between the legs

What do I do if my dogs keep fighting?

You will need to find out why the dogs keep fighting and address that first. If you cannot discover the reason for the fights, then a check-up with the vet may be needed to rule out any underlying illness. 

The next step will be to find a local dog trainer who is experienced with the breed and have an assessment carried out on the dog. Bringing in a trainer can usually solve the problem; however, if they cannot discover or correct the reason for the fights, it may be time to rehome one of them.