We love our dog a lot, and it has really been a great addition to our family. Now we are thinking of adding a second, but will it be too much work? And will the first dog mind?
Rachel

This really depends on many different factors. The main thing is, can you spend enough time with your new dog while not neglecting your first?

Your new dog will require training, exercise and all the other things that go along with getting a new pet. Some of the things you can do with both dogs at the same time – but others like training will have to be done separately. There is also the monetary cost of getting a second dog that should be considered.

Getting a second dog can be a wonderful addition to the family, but it should be thought through properly. You should at least ask the following questions to see whether it would be right for you.

• Do I have the time that each dog deserves?
• Can I afford to have two dogs?
• Will one of the dogs not get the care that it needs because we have two?
• Can me and my family cope with a new energetic dog? This may be a no if your current dog already has a lively temperament
• Who will be responsible for taking care of the dog?
• Will my first dog lose some dog the attention it gets from the family?

These are just some of the factors that can affect your decision, so make sure you consider your options carefully.

Thanks,

Richard Cross

House training an older dog can be achieved by making use of the crate method. Get a crate prepared that is comfortable for the dog – so put some bedding, a toy and perhaps even some treats inside. Make the dog feel as comfortable as possible in the crate. Once it does, it will hate going to the toilet inside the crate as it thinks of it as its bed. You can use advantage of this by confining the dog to the crate whenever it can not be closely watched until it is house trained.

There can be a few reasons as to why your older dog lacks house training. It can be that the previous owner never worried about proper house breaking or may be the dog followed a completely different routine. Also, if the dog is under a lot of stress or anxiety due to separation from a family where it spend its first few years, housebreaking will take time to set in. the age of the dog also plays a vital role where house training older dogs is concerned. Another major consideration may be the dog is used to different commands.

So you can see that every dog is different and has different requirements. House training an older dog can thus be a challenge, as you first need to determine what you are dealing with. House training older dogs can only be achieved if you are patient and committed to the process. Patience is key.