Should a dog have a companion?

When i took Lou for one to one training, the trainer said that a dog should not be an only dog, she believes they should always have a companion. She recommended us to get another one for Louby within the next 6-12 months, basically before she reaches 2.

Do you agree with this? Not taking into account costs of having 2 dogs (as we all know they are not cheap to look after).

No. I think it is entirely up to you. A dog can have a happy life being an only dog, so dont feel pressured into anything!
You havent had Louby that long really have you?

No, she found us in Nov, so only 6 months...

Not all dogs get on that well with other dogs, although it would be great for every dog to have a companion it is not always gong to be possible,

The reason I looked in to adopting another dog was for a company for Frank, he is such a playful, boisterous, funny little dude, but when the rescue matched us with Tara I feel like it was more for us humans.

Tara would always rather be curled on the couch with me, have a belly rub than playing, and despite her past I think she just craves human contact more than a playing furry friend. Frank has learnt that when Tara DOES want to play with him she will let him know and he makes the most of it, but Frank would always rather be with playing in the garden than with us, until bed time then he wants to be in my bed under the covers, head on pillow.
Tara I think would be perfectly happy as an only dog, Frank on the other hand I think would HATE to be the only dog, even though Tara will only play when it suits her. lol

But 100% your choice, you know your dog, and your situation more than any one.

x

To be honest we couldnt afford another just now anyway, lou has cost us so much money over the last few weeks, with her skin, spay, leads & collars and toys.

I'm not even sure she would like another dog in the house, she can be very jealous. she has a playmate in my brothers staffy, they get on really well, and play lots, but if we fuss lou and his dog bella comes over, lou goes abit aggressive, same if bella gets fuss, lou goes all jealous. so much so that we avoid fussing them and just allow to get on with playing.

I just wondered what other peoples thoughts were on the subject, as the trainer was very adamant.

I cant understand why she would say that to you really? As a trainer, surely she would know that some dogs dont get on with others and its not always possible to have two, as Kathy said.

If we are fussing Frank, Tara will go and sit at your feet and STARE as if to say .. Why not me mummy? .. its horrible, but thankfully Frank isnt really 1 for being petted for some reason. His Motto seems to be ... if the sun is up ill be playing ... soon as it gets dark he wants to sleep but Tara is all about the hugs, the kisses, the belly rubs and the hind leg scratching! lol

If Louby is jealous, maybe best to keep her as an only dog, given all your love and attention to her can never be seen as a bad thing

x

''If Louby is jealous, maybe best to keep her as an only dog, given all your love and attention to her can never be seen as a bad thing''

Louby really loves her cuddles, as soon as i go to sit down she is in mid air before my bum has touched the sofa (i know i know, i didnt invite her). She loves laying on my knee, constantly. i dont know how we could fit another one in...
Although i do like the thought of rescuing another baby, but not to the detrement of the babies...

Mrs McFisher wrote: ''If Louby is jealous, maybe best to keep her as an only dog, given all your love and attention to her can never be seen as a bad thing''

Louby really loves her cuddles, as soon as i go to sit down she is in mid air before my bum has touched the sofa (i know i know, i didnt invite her). She loves laying on my knee, constantly. i dont know how we could fit another one in...
Although i do like the thought of rescuing another baby, but not to the detrement of the babies...

She has certainly landed on her feet with you

Im the same, I would love to rescue another but realistically I couldnt

I would love to be like the Dog Whisperer and have lots of dogs. i love them. prefer them to kids. im weird that way. x

No! Dogs (especially staffords) don't need doggie companions, but they do need human companionship. They're quite happy to be an only dog in the house as long as they get the love, food, training & exercise they need.

If you want another dog (and many people do) then go ahead and get one, but it'll be because you want one, not because Louby needs one!

No, that's ridiculous. I think it's a terrible idea to get a dog because a dog 'needs a companion.' It should be about if you can afford two, train two, cope with two, walk two, etc. I'd love another dog to add to Loki, but...I'm sorry, I'd probably kill them both after a week because he's difficult enough as it is . Focus on one before you add another. Not to mention, not all dogs like dogs. Especially Staffs, although many of them love dogs, they should prefer people.

I believe all dogs are different. Some need constant companionship, so it's sometiems better to get these dogs a canine companion. They're social animals by nature, so I don't think that they should be left alone without interaction with some sort of companion for too long anyway. However, that's where humans come in. It isn't going to matter to the average dog what species the companion is, as long as there is active interaction.

I am not getting another dog (at least not yet), i just wondered what peoples thoughts were on what the trainer had said.. x

I don't think it makes a difference my 2 never once played with eachother, infact they never bothered atall to even acknowledge eachother lol.

Dogs just need companionship whether human or canine. Louby has you and can socialise with Bella if she wants

Well, my boy's got a constant (or near enough) companion. Me and I think I'm safe in saying we both like it best that way. Before he went into the resue, he lived with another Staff, but having seen them both together and comparing that to how he is now, he's a much happier dog.

The only possible (and maybe cynical) reason I can see for this 'trainer' to say you need another dog is so that there's more work, hence more income for her.

It's ridiculous that your trainer would come out with a comment like that , both of mine would cope perfectly fine as an only dog , Tommy would suffer a little more as he has only ever known life with Tilly but quite confident within a short space of time he would be fine if it came to it

I think us hoomans are companion enough for them

No i think that she is talking out her *. Some dogs don't like other dogs at all and if a staffy were to choose they would choose a people over a dog any day.

no i dont think they need another doggie companion,not all dogs get on with other dogs,and they do have us human mums and dads as their companions

No it's def not essential and wouldn't work at all with some dogs. But it is great if the dogs are compatible and you are able to manage the two.

Some days I do regret getting buster as he has so many problems and Skye is happy when she is snuggling up with us (I wouldn't get rid of him as we are working through the problems) but looking back igot buster more for me as I had been used to having 2 or more dogs
I think Skye wouldn't really wouldn't have worried if we hadn't have got another

100% your choice as long as they are well cared for etc they won't miss not having a friend as they have you

I would look at it the same way as you would if your child's nursery teacher told you that they needed a sibling to play with ... easy said and nice in theory, in need of some serious practical consideration though

I wouldn't use a trainer telling you a dog needs a companion as an excuse to get another dog. I don't think a dog needs a 'companion' as such, a dog will be happy wether it's an only dog or not, aslong as its fed and cared for!

Saying that, I have 3 dogs and my 2 SBT do actively search for stuff they can both do together sometimes rather than get me to play! Every other dog we have had before was an only dog and they done perfectly well!

I think they are just fine without a companion. I wouldn't personally get a second dog until the first was at least two years old and fully trained.

Mrs McFisher wrote:To be honest we couldnt afford another just now anyway, lou has cost us so much money over the last few weeks, with her skin, spay, leads & collars and toys.

I'm not even sure she would like another dog in the house, she can be very jealous. she has a playmate in my brothers staffy, they get on really well, and play lots, but if we fuss lou and his dog bella comes over, lou goes abit aggressive, same if bella gets fuss, lou goes all jealous. so much so that we avoid fussing them and just allow to get on with playing.

I just wondered what other peoples thoughts were on the subject, as the trainer was very adamant.

I think your answer is here. Go with your gut instinct.
She may be a dog trainer, but every dog is different.