Are dogs happier in pairs? In general, this does appear to be the case. Of course, there are exceptions to everything, and there are some dogs who prefer being the only dog in the home. Other dogs who do have fellow dog companions would be devastated if one of there pack was no longer around. Ultimately, it does depend upon the individual dogs.
Is my dog lonely without another dog
Dogs are a living, breathing, thinking creature and as such are very cable of having feelings and emotions. Loneliness is a feeling of sadness of not having social contact or companionship. They are also pack animals in nature and being part of a social group is hard-wired into them. This is a crucial part of survival for a dog in the wild,
Dogs instinctively have a natural way of developing a stable social hierarchy I had at one stage three male dogs. Many dog trainers and behaviorists will tell you that you that if you do add a second dog to the family it should be of the opposite sex to your existing dog. However, I had no issues with three male dogs who all knew there place within the social structure. It is important to be aware of issues such as resource guarding that may occur. Your original dog is obviously never had any competition for food or toys. Ultimately it is your part to be the leader and ensure there are consistent rules when it comes to this.
Dogs are social animals and they thrive from being part of a social group. This group doesn’t have to be just other dogs as dogs love the company of humans and quite often other animals.
How do I know if my dog needs a companion dog
There is nothing your dog enjoys more than spending time with you. However, with our busy lifestyles and commitments such as working, we don’t always spend as much time with our dogs as they might want. Perhaps you feel your dog is lonely and sad as a result of this. To learn more about the signs and symptoms of a lonely dog and some potential solutions read this article.
If you are in the situation where your dog is home alone a lot of the time a companion dog for company may be an idea worth considering. This is obviously as very serious decision and you need to take into account the many factors. These factors may include the additional cost and a host of other considerations. Read ” Should I get a second dog quiz” as a guide to what questions you need to ask yourself before making such an important decision. Getting it wrong can result in you having to rehome one of the dogs later if things don’t work out.
If getting a second dog to keep your current dog company is not a viable option for you, there are many other ways that your dog can get the social contact they crave. This may include taking your dog to a doggie daycare a few days a week. To see if doggie daycare is a good idea for your dog read this article.
An alternative to doggie daycare is to hire a dog walker that takes a group of dogs out together. The added bonus of this is that your dog will also get some quality exercise at the same time.
Or you can try creating what is known as an extended pack for your dog. This involves your dog spending time with other people and dogs. You can have them stay at friends or relatives a day or two a week or have a neighbor drop in to pay them a visit when you are not home. You can also arrange play dates for them with other compatible dogs.
In Conclusion – Are dogs happier in pairs
The answer to this question ultimately depends upon the individual dog. Like people, dogs all have different personalities. Some dogs would enjoy having a second dog in the home, while others may find it a burden.
In some dog shelters, the dogs awaiting adoption are paired up with another compatible dog. Watch this video to see the positive impact this practice is having on these dogs in a rescue shelter.