[traiffhetl]

Okay, so I think about things way to much, I admit. This situation will not happen until about the summer of 2010, but I still can't stop thinking about it. I like to plan ahead.

I plan to buy my first house around the summer of 2010 (just after I finish grad school). With my finances the way they are I can probably get a moderately sized two bedroom house, and a fenced yard is a MUST.

Here comes the questions:

Saint will be 2 1/2 years old by then. He's currently an only dog. I've always thought once I get my house with a yard I would get a second dog(they would still be inside dogs). Do y'all think this makes sense? I've heard many people say that APBT's don't need canine companionship, but Saint look so damn bored at the house. We go on 40 minute walks in the morning, run for 40 minutes in the afternoon, and play with toys at night. I plan on keeping the same routine if I were to eventually add a second dog into the mix.

Saint gets along with all of the dogs he has encountered so far. We go to my parent's house and my sister's house often so he can play with their huskies. He looks so happy playing with them and after an day of that he is tuckered out. My hopes on eventually getting a second dog would be so that they could entertain each other in the yard and wear each other out.

All you people with multi-dog homes, please chime in and let me know what your home life is like with more than one dog.

My next question, I love APBT's but if I were to get a second dog would it be a bad idea to get another one or should I get a different breed? APBT has always been my most beloved breed, but I also don't want to end up in a crate and rotate living arrangement. Also, I do not want to get a puppy. I was thinking about adopting a dog around 2 years old.

I know this situation is over a year away, but like I said I like to plan ahead.

Thoughts, opinions, stories, suggestions?

Thanks!

[repldoinfo]

First getting another dog because your dog "Looks Bored" isn't a reason to get another dog.

Also Keep in mind, there can be complications with buying a house, many people have run into foreclosers and simply realized after a few months they cant afford it or they lose there job etc the first couple years can be the toughest...What would you do in that situation with two dogs when one will be hard enough?

Would you be willing to crate and rotate if the dogs start not getting along? (Just because a dog loves another one day, doesn't mean the next day they will be friends). It has nothing to do with if BOTH breeds are bully or not. You can have a APBT and a Black lab together doesn't mean you'll never have to create and rotate. Its just apart of owning the bully breeds.

Do you also understand you cannot, CANNOT leave the two dogs unsupervised while your not home? So thus buying a companion for your dog may not even be necessary, If they have to be separate while your gone...and only IF THEY GET ALONG and your watching with a break stick near by can they play when you get home...Dont you think your dog would just be happy to be around his owner when you arrive home?

[repldoinfo]

Didn't mean to sound harsh or anything sorry. It can be done, but it takes a very DEDICATED owner with time to do so in order for it to work out. I had sometimes up to 6 APBTs living in a 3 bedroom house, it wasn't easy and there was lots of crate and rotate!!! Somedays they dogs got along others they didn't so it basically boils down to the owner, if they want that extra work. Owning multi dog houses also takes time to consider many safety issues you don't have to worry about with one dog, such as if you have two dogs loose in the house while you ARE HOME, and you want to take a nap, or a shower etc leaving those dogs alone together out of site could be deadly. Chances of it happening depend on the dog, but your taking a risk.

[VovTortki]

Planning ahead is great and I am a huge nerotic planner. My husband hates it. Anyways, you are talking about two things. Ahouse, and a dog. My suggestion is to focuse on one before the other.

I think getting a second dog is fine. But only if you are getting it for yourself and only if you will be okay with crate and rotate. My Sophie has selective DA and we found a 1.5 year old that she gets along with but we are alwasy prepared for the day when they wont be able to be together anymore though I hope it never comes to that.
With adoption we took it really slowly. We would bring Sophie to the rescue and have her meet the dogs in a controled safe enviornment. when we found the dog that we liked but that she really liked and began waling them together. We did this for about a month and then had them met off leash.
Everything went well and we took him home.

The reason for my long story is to be patient and don't jump the gun.
IMO focuse on getting out of school and then a house. The right dog will come along after everything else has fallen into palce

[traiffhetl]

First getting another dog because your dog "Looks Bored" isn't a reason to get another dog.

Understandable. Just curious, what do you think is a good reason to get another dog?

there can be complications with buying a house, many people have run into foreclosers and simply realized after a few months they cant afford it or they lose there job etc the first couple years can be the toughest...What would you do in that situation with two dogs when one will be hard enough?

I do understand how this can happen to some people, but my finances are extremely stable. To make it short, I have always been more responsible especially with money, than anyone that I know. I also landed an extremely secure job working for the federal government. It's kind of sad, but I would have to basically kill someone at work to get fired.

Would you be willing to crate and rotate if the dogs start not getting along? (Just because a dog loves another one day, doesn't mean the next day they will be friends). It has nothing to do with if BOTH breeds are bully or not. You can have a APBT and a Black lab together doesn't mean you'll never have to create and rotate. Its just apart of owning the bully breeds.

I would be willing to crate and rotate at times if things went awry. I'm just trying to see if people have had more success with a APBT and a different breed getting along in a household situation vs. two APBT's, or if it really just depends on the individual dogs.

Do you also understand you cannot, CANNOT leave the two dogs unsupervised while your not home?

Absolutely! I would never think to leave two dogs alone unsupervised. Saint is currently crated when I'm not home and I would definitely crate the both of them separately when I was unable to supervise them.

Dont you think your dog would just be happy to be around his owner when you arrive home?

Yes, and he is happy when I get home. He just really enjoys the more physical aspect of play that he can engage in with other dogs. (I'm not gonna wrestle around on the floor with him like the other dogs in my family do.)

Planning ahead is great and I am a huge nerotic planner. My husband hates it. Anyways, you are talking about two things. Ahouse, and a dog. My suggestion is to focuse on one before the other.

I think getting a second dog is fine. But only if you are getting it for yourself and only if you will be okay with crate and rotate. My Sophie has selective DA and we found a 1.5 year old that she gets along with but we are alwasy prepared for the day when they wont be able to be together anymore though I hope it never comes to that.
With adoption we took it really slowly. We would bring Sophie to the rescue and have her meet the dogs in a controled safe enviornment. when we found the dog that we liked but that she really liked and began waling them together. We did this for about a month and then had them met off leash.
Everything went well and we took him home.

The reason for my long story is to be patient and don't jump the gun.
IMO focuse on getting out of school and then a house. The right dog will come along after everything else has fallen into palce

I do plan to get my house situation settled before I consider bringing in a second dog. Just trying to get some input on the dog interaction side of things as well as peoples personal experiences.

I also would take the situation VERY slowly while trying to find the right second dog. I volunteer for a pit bull rescue and had often thought about letting my dog meet some of our rescues and then "fostering" a compatible dog to see if it would actually work out in my home. Just an idea that I have.



So I guess the next question is:

How many of you only have one dog? And what are your reason's for not getting another?

Just trying to see all sides here.

Thanks everybody!

[zzbust]

I only have one dog, Diesel, and it will most likely stay that way. For me, it would take more than just a simple backyard for me to add even one more dog. Diesel has run of the house and I like it that way...I won't change his living conditions which would have to include "crate and rotate" for safety. I know it is easy to think that adding a little friend would be beneficial but many times it detracts from the present great environment.

I really respect those that have more than one dog and/or foster-rescue. They have to really be committed (not institutionalized) to pull it off.

[lagunaEl]

I think it will mainly be the personality of the dogs, not the breed. I personally had my female Star for about a year, and then bought a male APBT puppy. He was raised with her, and was eventually mated to her. These particular APBTs never had the slightest problem in any regard to each other. They slept together, played together, and yes, stayed at home, alone, together, for over 7 years. Not one incident, ever. Yes I know I got extremely lucky, and would not now (knowing what I know) do this again.

That said I have (currently) seen some attempts at food (dish only, not food in it) aggression from my black lab mix towards my new APBT female puppy. This NEVER happened when I had 2 pure breed APBT's. I think it is the dog, not the breed.

Personally in my experience I only see a few things that really "trigger" DA behavior within the household. First being food.... I keep the dish up now, not left empty on the floor, and of course feed the dogs at the same time, but in different rooms. Second, play ..... play should be supervised of course, and toys should NOT be shared or left out for the dogs to grab as they like when out together. Third, coming home.... In the excitement of the Alpha returning home, rushing in for greeting, and jealousy can and will spark an issue. Keeping these in mind will help for sure. Usually once the "spark" is started (the first incident) it is nearly impossible to keep it from happening again. The key is to do everything possible to keep that first time from occuring.

[traiffhetl]

Thanks dragonshade! This is what I'd like to hear more of too, personal experiences within multi dog homes. I know that each situation will be different but it seems like the DA triggers can sometimes be universal. I had thought about the food and toys, but never thought about the excitement and jealousy issue when I first come home. How do you manage it?

[lagunaEl]

With my APBTs it was never an issue.

With my first (out on my own, many years ago) dogs... a male adult boxer (VERY jealous dogs, would never recommend having a APBT and Boxer at the same time), and my young male APBT puppy it was a real issue. I had posted on this once before. Every time I came home the boxer would growl at the APBT pup. Once the APBT was about 1 year the boxer attacked him as I walked in the door.... he literally looked at me, looked at him, and charged him. Obviously the APBT (much smaller and younger) almost killed the boxer. It took me and my wife (at the time) dragging the locked on dogs into the bathtub, and shooting water straight into the APBT's nostrils until he had to breathe (and release). The dogs could never be together ever again... the boxer would attack him on sight.

Now, again, knowing what I know... I crate my APBT puppy. Greet my lab, after she is calm I go in the bedroom, close the door ... release my APBT, greet her by herself, calm her down, and then everyone is allowed together.

[traiffhetl]

Don't have to worry about me getting a boxer. Not fond of their personalities in general. But good to know.

Yea, I see how that incident could have occurred. I'm working on having Saint being more calm when I first get home right now. He has SA that we are working through at the moment. He is showing progress and is much calmer when I get home. Definitely a cause for concern with a second dog though. Thanks for bringing that up.

[Aafimoq]

a male adult boxer (VERY jealous dogs, would never recommend having a APBT and Boxer at the same time), .

Just curious if you are speaking from experience of owning boxers or just from what you're heard? I personally own 2 boxers, a male and a female, and a male pitbull..........zero problems. My boxers are not jealous AT ALL...honestly, that is the first time I've ever heard anyone describe a boxer like that. Seems like you had a bad experience with an aggressive dog....who happened to be a boxer.....that doesn't make them all that way It's funny but if I had to describe any of my 3 dogs as "jealous", it would be my pitbull Bruno, not my boxers. Not trying to sound like I'm lecturing but just the same as when people say misleading/misguided things about pitbulls, I hate to hear those type of misinformed things about boxers too. I've personally had 2 foster pitbulls while I had my female boxer and never once did I have any problems. I personally think they are GREAT playmates as they have similar energy levels and play great. All 3 of my dogs are out in the backyard romping in the snow together as I type......I check on them here and there but we never have any problems.....it's all about the dog's personalities, not just their breeds. After they get done playing, they will all come in and cuddle up in a big pile and snooze together for a while.

[repldoinfo]

Originally Posted by pitbull_loverforever
First getting another dog because your dog "Looks Bored" isn't a reason to get another dog. Understandable. Just curious, what do you think is a good reason to get another dog?

Anytime I had multiple dogs its because I was doing rescue. But I think a good reason to get another dog is because YOU want another dog to work with. Generally with the bully breeds people own multipules because of the love of the breed, or are active with the breed (Showing, Raising, Agility etc). But its never a good idea as a general rule of thumb to get another dog based on companionship for your current. It just must be something YOU want to invest your time into.

Originally Posted by pitbull_loverforever
there can be complications with buying a house, many people have run into foreclosers and simply realized after a few months they cant afford it or they lose there job etc the first couple years can be the toughest...What would you do in that situation with two dogs when one will be hard enough?
I do understand how this can happen to some people, but my finances are extremely stable. To make it short, I have always been more responsible especially with money, than anyone that I know. I also landed an extremely secure job working for the federal government. It's kind of sad, but I would have to basically kill someone at work to get fired.

Originally Posted by pitbull_loverforever
Would you be willing to crate and rotate if the dogs start not getting along? (Just because a dog loves another one day, doesn't mean the next day they will be friends). It has nothing to do with if BOTH breeds are bully or not. You can have a APBT and a Black lab together doesn't mean you'll never have to create and rotate. Its just apart of owning the bully breeds.
I would be willing to crate and rotate at times if things went awry. I'm just trying to see if people have had more success with a APBT and a different breed getting along in a household situation vs. two APBT's, or if it really just depends on the individual dogs.

Individual dogs. Breed doesn't matter. Although people tend to run into more issues with owning multiple bullies if there not super careful.

Originally Posted by pitbull_loverforever
Do you also understand you cannot, CANNOT leave the two dogs unsupervised while your not home?
Absolutely! I would never think to leave two dogs alone unsupervised. Saint is currently crated when I'm not home and I would definitely crate the both of them separately when I was unable to supervise them.

Originally Posted by pitbull_loverforever
Dont you think your dog would just be happy to be around his owner when you arrive home?
Yes, and he is happy when I get home. He just really enjoys the more physical aspect of play that he can engage in with other dogs. (I'm not gonna wrestle around on the floor with him like the other dogs in my family do.)

[traiffhetl]

Anytime I had multiple dogs its because I was doing rescue. But I think a good reason to get another dog is because YOU want another dog to work with. Generally with the bully breeds people own multipules because of the love of the breed, or are active with the breed (Showing, Raising, Agility etc). But its never a good idea as a general rule of thumb to get another dog based on companionship for your current. It just must be something YOU want to invest your time into.

Makes sense, thanks for the input.

[quorceopporce]

I would think long and hard about the financial and care obligations you're going to put out. Had you planned to get an adult dog or a puppy? Buy from a breeder or adopt from a rescue? What kind of veterinary/food/care costs would be there for two dogs, etc. and so forth. Obviously, there's a lot to sit down and hash out/ask yourself and that'll take quite a bit of time.

Having four dogs in the house, from personal experience, is a lot of work. Only three of them are mine and the financial obligation alone on those dogs is enough to make me want to stick my head in the sand. Training, excellent food, show/travel costs, veterinary care, etc. all factor into my day-to-day expenditures.

If I move and decide to rent or own a home, I have to consider things like my landlord's pet policies (including breed specific) and where I live and if there are laws that ban or potentially cause stress to my dogs through items like muzzling and other restrictions based on where I want to live.

Never did I consider getting another dog because one was lonely. Luna would have much rather I never gotten other dogs because she thinks she's better than the other two anyway (she's very much a diva and that's all on me! ). Being able to get out there - to train and work my dogs is something I enjoy doing. While I love taking home a ribbon or piece of hardware (trophy) at a show, being able to spend time dedicated soley to my dogs and people who love their dogs as much as I do mine is what means the most to me.

All the time, money, blood, sweat and tears I've cast into the pot for these dogs has been worth the weight of a thousand lifetimes of financial struggle and stress. These dogs are my everything and having them be there, be ambassadors for the breed and my constant, loyal companions is the best thing in the world.

[ddwayspd]

Previously I had an Akita/Pit Bull and she was an only....because she was D.A......when she passed at almost 15yr. I got my first JRT, then months later I got my Lab/Rott, then a few months after she came, the kitten arrived, and then a few months later my 2nd JRT came.....so they were all around the same age and growing up together....luckily for me I work at home, which gives me and them the luxury of my being there 24/7 to attend to any needs that may arise...I'm lucky that I don't need to crate/rotate...I don't crate at all.
So that being said multi pet homes can/do work, you just have to put more work into it.

Good point Shadowwolf on the financial aspect of it.....I agree.
I don't think I"ll ever have 4 pets at one time again because of the $$.

[lagunaEl]

Just curious if you are speaking from experience of owning boxers or just from what you're heard? I personally own 2 boxers, a male and a female, and a male pitbull..........zero problems. My boxers are not jealous AT ALL...honestly, that is the first time I've ever heard anyone describe a boxer like that. Seems like you had a bad experience with an aggressive dog....who happened to be a boxer.....that doesn't make them all that way

No, I am speaking from personal experience. Rocky (boxer) was a stray that ended up on a neighbor's porch late one night. After looking for the owners for 2 weeks they dropped him at the pound. I went that day to the pound and adopted him. He was between 1 and 2 years old the vet said, and was a wonderful boy. He was protective of the house, but otherwise showed no signs of aggression. He was fine around every dog he came into contact with, wasn't everly dominant, and was unaltered. His growling and later true aggression would only show when I came home, and it was obvious it was jealously based (watching him act/react it was visually evident). He seemed kinda high-strung as opposed to the "coolness" most APBT's have in their personality. That is why I personally do not recommend them together, but then that is only me saying that from what I experienced. Surely others out there are like you and have them with no issue, but me personally.... I would not try it again, and therefore could not recommend it.

[Aafimoq]

No, I am speaking from personal experience. Rocky (boxer) was a stray that ended up on a neighbor's porch late one night. After looking for the owners for 2 weeks they dropped him at the pound. I went that day to the pound and adopted him. He was between 1 and 2 years old the vet said, and was a wonderful boy. He was protective of the house, but otherwise showed no signs of aggression. He was fine around every dog he came into contact with, wasn't everly dominant, and was unaltered. His growling and later true aggression would only show when I came home, and it was obvious it was jealously based (watching him act/react it was visually evident). He seemed kinda high-strung as opposed to the "coolness" most APBT's have in their personality. That is why I personally do not recommend them together, but then that is only me saying that from what I experienced. Surely others out there are like you and have them with no issue, but me personally.... I would not try it again, and therefore could not recommend it.

Yeah, I really don't think you can base all boxers on one particular boxer. Boxers are known to have thyroid problems which can affect their behaviors, which is my first suspicion to his sudden onset of aggression.....that and without knowing that particular boxer's history, he may have been raised that way. Anyways, I volunteer for a large boxer rescue and I'll tell ya that the way your boxer acted is NOT normal for the breed......they are very friendly welcoming dogs overall....sure a few bad ones are there, but overall, they are not what you experienced. I hope you don't write off the whole breed by just having one bad personal experience.....becuase they aren't like that at all on average.

[maxfreemann]

I live in a multi dog home. And most times it is a blast and a ton of fun when nothing is going out. I like all 5 of the dogs b/c they each have their own personalty and I love qualities of them all. However...there have been fights. I know that I personally don't want to be in the situation where I have to break up the huskey and the APBT by myself. I have no problem assisting in breaking the fight up...me grabbing one someone else the other. But I don't feel I could control the 2 alone. So I don't let them be together when I am the only one home.

Also some weeks the huskey and the APBT get along perfectly fine...or enough to the point you don't have to be stressed every second of everyday. Other weeks if they are together for 2 seconds they fight. Luckly the huskey is an outdoor dog and the APBT is an indoor dog. So when things get bad we can just make the huskey go outside and usually that is what she wants anyways.

The three other dogs are all small breed of dogs and basically raised the APBT so he obeys them.

[traiffhetl]

I would think long and hard about the financial and care obligations you're going to put out. Had you planned to get an adult dog or a puppy? Buy from a breeder or adopt from a rescue? What kind of veterinary/food/care costs would be there for two dogs, etc. and so forth. Obviously, there's a lot to sit down and hash out/ask yourself and that'll take quite a bit of time.

I have thought about the financial situation. I could handle the added expense now, and I'm moving forward in my job, which = more money. So that is not really my concern. I'm really interested in the dynamics in multi-dog homes.

My ideas for the future involve an adult rescue dog. I volunteer for a pit rescue and I see how the puppies have such an easier time being placed than the older dogs. I also think that an adult dog would be better with my work schedule.

I'm looking forward to hearing some more personal accounts with both multi-dog and single dog homes. How and when did you guys decide it was time to add another dog to your home? -or- Are you and your dog happy with the single dog home?

[IACJdKfU]

I have always had multiple dogs, and multiple pit bulls (as well as other breeds).

For me, it's never been an issue because I also grew up in a multi-dog household so managing more than one dog is easy for me. I will never have just one dog.

If you are getting another dog, make sure it's what YOU want. Your dog isn't sitting there thinking, "Well damn, I wish my owner would get me another dog to play with!"
If you get another dog, regardless of breed, you may have to crate and rotate. So I say, if you want another APBT go for it.. because whether you've that or a poodle, you still have to take the same precautions when the two dogs interact.

Are you prepared to DOUBLE everything, in regards to your dog? Exercise, food, time, energy, money, etc.? I have no life outside of my dogs... I work, and play/train/compete (hopefully soon, atleast, on that last one lol) with my dogs. I have no social life, because I don't have time for it (and I really don't care, I'd rather spend time with my dogs lol). The first thing I say to someone who is considering adding another dog to their family in regards to being financially ready is - if your dogs got into a fight, could you pay to fully vet them both (stitches, maybe surgery, antibiotics, etc.)? What if they were poisoned/got into something bad? Can you afford vet care for them BOTH?

Adding another dog to your family is not just about having a yard, it's about having the ability/time/money/energy/knowledge/patience/etc. for it