If you read my last blog post ( https://dogcoach.dk/blogs/dogcoach-blog/alf-har-endelig-faet-en-lillebror ) you will know that a few months ago I became a (food) mother to another puppy – little Alvin.” And I must admit that I had happily forgotten how hard it really is to have a puppy. In addition, I had in no way considered the many challenges that come with getting a second dog. So this blog post will be about that.
I won't spend too much time on the obvious: That a puppy requires an enormous amount of time, energy and effort. Most people know that. But I would like to share my experiences with getting an extra dog in the home. Because I know that it is a consideration that many dog owners have, and something that I was eager to find information about before I jumped into it. So here are 5 important lessons I have learned:
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Dogs can be very different even if they receive the same upbringing
I deliberately chose to get two dogs of the same breed. My thesis was that dogs play best when they are young. Yet it has surprised me how different Alf and Alvin are. For example, Alf was mostly clean at 4-5 months old, while Alvin (now 7 months) still has difficulty staying still for more than a few hours. Alf wants to go on long walks, while Alvin is the one who wants to cuddle on the couch. Alf had mild separation anxiety for the first year, while Alvin has been able to be alone without any problems right from the first week. Alf never bit anything when he was alone, whereas Alvin has caused us quite a headache with all the things he has broken into atoms. Alf runs away if he sees fit, and Alvin always walks right behind his mother. And I could go on and on – the list of their differences is long.
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It can be more difficult to train a second dog.
French Bulldogs are not the easiest dogs to train, but Alf has actually done well. Alvin, on the other hand, doesn't understand training at all, and he can't concentrate when Alf is with him. So far we have only mastered "sit". All other commands are a city in Russia. On the other hand, Alvin can walk without a leash - Alf will probably never be able to do that.
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The relationship with your first dog may change
When a new puppy comes into the family, it is clear that it requires a lot of attention. I have made a lot of effort to give Alf the same time and attention as before (for example, we have “Mom and Alfe trip”), but it is not quite the same when you have to divide the attention between two. Fortunately, Alf has never shown jealousy, but with the arrival of a little brother he has become more reserved. On the bright side, I think that Alf gets his social needs met to a greater extent by Alvin, and therefore he does not need me quite as much as before.
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Two male dogs can easily get along well together.
Before I got Alvin, many people warned me against getting another male dog. Fortunately, there have never been any problems (until now), and that's even though Alvin is gradually becoming sexually mature. Of course, they tease each other and have some minor power struggles. For example, most of their play right now is about stealing each other's legs. Ultimately, I think it's about making sure that the oldest dog is not overly dominant and territorial. Alf has been super good at finding the balance between being the alpha male, and at the same time being able to submit and give the little one "space" to be there too.
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Two dogs don't equal double the work
I spend a lot of time with my dogs. But I definitely don't spend twice as much time after I got my second dog. And the extra time I spend is definitely worth the "investment" when you look at how much joy the dogs get from each other.
Behind the week's blog
Celine is 28 years old and works with social media on a daily basis.
Alf is a 1.5 year old French Bulldog who calls himself a "professional lifesaver". Most of it is something he came up with himself. As bloggers, we get to blog about life on the go, as we are often out and about. Alf was born in Denmark, raised in Germany and has visited 5 countries. Alf has just become a big brother to Alvin
Plus, we have many great stories to tell about a life that is pretty much all about dogs. So much so that I've sworn that I'll have to keep all updates far away from Facebook for fear of becoming known as the crazy dog lady among my friends.
Are you considering a second dog? Here are 5 experiences!
If you read my last blog post ( https://dogcoach.dk/blogs/dogcoach-blog/alf-har-endelig-faet-en-lillebror ) you will know that a few months ago I became a (food) mother to another puppy – little Alvin.” And I must admit that I had happily forgotten how hard it really is to have a puppy. In addition, I had in no way considered the many challenges that come with getting a second dog. So this blog post will be about that.
I won't spend too much time on the obvious: That a puppy requires an enormous amount of time, energy and effort. Most people know that. But I would like to share my experiences with getting an extra dog in the home. Because I know that it is a consideration that many dog owners have, and something that I was eager to find information about before I jumped into it. So here are 5 important lessons I have learned:
I deliberately chose to get two dogs of the same breed. My thesis was that dogs play best when they are young. Yet it has surprised me how different Alf and Alvin are. For example, Alf was mostly clean at 4-5 months old, while Alvin (now 7 months) still has difficulty staying still for more than a few hours. Alf wants to go on long walks, while Alvin is the one who wants to cuddle on the couch. Alf had mild separation anxiety for the first year, while Alvin has been able to be alone without any problems right from the first week. Alf never bit anything when he was alone, whereas Alvin has caused us quite a headache with all the things he has broken into atoms. Alf runs away if he sees fit, and Alvin always walks right behind his mother. And I could go on and on – the list of their differences is long.
French Bulldogs are not the easiest dogs to train, but Alf has actually done well. Alvin, on the other hand, doesn't understand training at all, and he can't concentrate when Alf is with him. So far we have only mastered "sit". All other commands are a city in Russia. On the other hand, Alvin can walk without a leash - Alf will probably never be able to do that.
When a new puppy comes into the family, it is clear that it requires a lot of attention. I have made a lot of effort to give Alf the same time and attention as before (for example, we have “Mom and Alfe trip”), but it is not quite the same when you have to divide the attention between two. Fortunately, Alf has never shown jealousy, but with the arrival of a little brother he has become more reserved. On the bright side, I think that Alf gets his social needs met to a greater extent by Alvin, and therefore he does not need me quite as much as before.
Before I got Alvin, many people warned me against getting another male dog. Fortunately, there have never been any problems (until now), and that's even though Alvin is gradually becoming sexually mature. Of course, they tease each other and have some minor power struggles. For example, most of their play right now is about stealing each other's legs. Ultimately, I think it's about making sure that the oldest dog is not overly dominant and territorial. Alf has been super good at finding the balance between being the alpha male, and at the same time being able to submit and give the little one "space" to be there too.
I spend a lot of time with my dogs. But I definitely don't spend twice as much time after I got my second dog. And the extra time I spend is definitely worth the "investment" when you look at how much joy the dogs get from each other.
Behind the week's blog
Celine is 28 years old and works with social media on a daily basis.
Alf is a 1.5 year old French Bulldog who calls himself a "professional lifesaver". Most of it is something he came up with himself. As bloggers, we get to blog about life on the go, as we are often out and about. Alf was born in Denmark, raised in Germany and has visited 5 countries. Alf has just become a big brother to Alvin
Plus, we have many great stories to tell about a life that is pretty much all about dogs. So much so that I've sworn that I'll have to keep all updates far away from Facebook for fear of becoming known as the crazy dog lady among my friends.