Wake me up when it’s play time mommy…
Nicole has had her puppy, Phoebe, for about 6 months. The past few weeks though, she’s been looking at other puppies and trying to get her boyfriend to buy her another one. When the guys ask her why she wants another puppy already, she tells them she wants Phoebe to have a friend so that she doesn’t get lonely. Stan think that is ridiculous. Her puppy does not need a “friend.”
Nicole argues that while she’s at SiriusXM Phoebe is alone all day, but if she had another puppy to play with the time might not seem so long. We’ve also learned that dogs reportedly don’t have a concept of time. However, Rich agrees with Nicole. He definitely thinks dogs can get lonely and Phoebe would probably be a lot happier if she had another dog to play with. He used to have dogs and his first dog became much more content once he got a second dog.
Plus, with another pup to play with, they dogs demand as much attention from you. Do you agree with Nicole and Rich that dogs can get lonely and that Phoebe should have a friend? Or do you agree with Stan and Ryan that dogs don’t need “friends?”
I leave mine at my mom’s house. She loves it there. But yes, Phoebe needs a friend. I say get another puppy!!
All dogs need a playmate to keep them company. I have the perfect playmate for Nicole’s puppy. I found a chahuaha puppy that needs a home and a playmate. So Nicole yes you need another dog.
I agree. I moved to a house with another dog and my dog loves it. He always has someone to play with, and doesn’t focus on me quite as much. He’s become much more patient when there is another dog around.
Dogs sleep ALL day. I don’t think she’s getting lonely. I have a dog and want a second one bit when other dogs are present in the house, she can never relax. I think two dogs will make you crazy.
Dogs get lonely and ***bored***. They are less apt to chew something up or pee on something if they have a companion dog to socialize with while you are away at work. Fact is, they are pack animals and if you are gone all day it will upset them. Get the puppy.
I agree with Nicole and Rich!! Dogs have feelings too and they can most definately get lonely during the day when left along. I have only one dog and he is constantly demanding attention when I get home from school because he has been along all day.
A better option is to find a good doggie day care for a couple of days per week. Two dogs are a lot of work and it is tough to maintain the same level of care and commitment to two.
Absolutely Nicole!!!! I started out with one female shih-tzu and added another two years later. Well, another two years have passed and I just added a third. It is so amazing to see how they interact with each other. Pick up a copy of Cesar Milan’s book “How to Raise the Perfect Dog” and follow his rules. He is a GOD!!! I would do anything for him to visit my dogs….good luck
Yes I think Phoebe should have a friend to play with while Nicole is at work or away from home for the day. I don’t think she NEEDS another dog to keep her company but it could make her happier not being by herself all day.
I bought a Toy Poodle 2 yrs ago and after 9 months or so thought she needed a friend to keep her company. I went to the lady I bought her from and bought another Toy Poodle. Everything worked out fine at first but then Pebbles my first Poodle started to use the bathroom all over the house again and the youngest one would not go outside either. I eventually gave the 2nd one to a friend and he is now house broken and Pebbles never went in the house again. I asked my vet why she did those things while another dog is in the house and she said that small dogs need lota and lots of attention and when another dog moves into the space and they have to share what littlt attention is given they act out in wierd ways. So just cause Phoebe might seem sad while you are away she might not enjoy the company and sharing the love with another dog. So I would have to disagree that another dog would make her happier.
I honestly think you should just hire a dog walker that walks group walks. Assuming you work fulltime to have a puppy its not fair to the puppy to not have proper training. While your working. If you habe someone home all the time to properly train it go for it. But probally easyer and cheaper to hire a dog walker. Yours truely Melissa from Can-Eh-Duh(Canada)
yes! My landlord would tell me that when I was at work that she could hear my puppy crying all day! Once I got a playmate for her.. she never cried again!
First, you need to ask yourself if you are ready for the additional resposbility of adding another dog to your family. Second, if Phoebe isn’t housebroken completely, I would wait until she is. Housebreaking two dogs at the same time is much more difficult than housebreaking one — I know from experience, unless you crate train. If Phoebe is housebroken, I always think having another dog is a good idea. Third, please seriously consider adopting from a rescue or shelter rather than going to a breeder or puppy store. Most of the dogs that come from puppy stores come from puppy mills. Please don’t be another celebrity that gets a pocket pooch from a puppy store just because it is cute. Buying from puppy stores is like basically saying that Puppy Mills are okay. Even if you want a specific breed, there are hundreds of breed specific rescues and I am sure New York has just about every breed rescue one can imagine. If you need more information to convince of you rescuing instead of buying, check out Sarah McLachlan’s ASPCA commercial or Oprah’s episode last year devoted entirely to the horrors of puppy mills. Backyard breeders are not much better. Last, don’t let people discourage on the sex of the dog. Male or female should be okay. I heard someone say that males will lift their legs and pee all of your house. That is only true if you do not get them neetered. I have a 2 1/2 year old male and he has never marked his territory in our house before.
Sorry, didn’t mean to type so much. Have a great day!
Yes, your pup needs a friend, but please don’t buy a puppy, go to the ASPCA and adopt a dog for Phoebe. Shih Tzu are very popular breeds, that is why they are over bred by breeders only trying to make money, you will be able to find one easily at the local shelter or google for a shih tzu rescue. Not only will you be getting your pup a friend, but you will be saving a life. When you look at Phoebe and how cute and sweet she is, there are millions of homeless dogs just as sweet and cute who need a loving home.
Puppy needs a friend and this is a perfect time to do so. My doggies are 6 months apart and it was the best decision to add the second one. I find that since I got another one they have each other to play with, cuddle with and they don’t demand you as much. Yes you have a little more mess to clean up but this makes your doggie happy to share his/her life with another 4 legged friend. Just make sure if you are getting the opposite sex to get you pets spade/neutered and control the animal population.
Of course Phoebe needs a sibling. I had my dog Rascal for about three years before I adopted another pet. He would get so excited to see people after being alone that he would pee everywhere whenever anyone would come around. Then I adopted Lucy who is a cat and they are the best of friends. They share toys and beds. My Rascal is a Pekingnese so they are about the same size and they play around with no problems. They love each others company.
Hey Cole,don’t they have doggie daycare in NY? I’m sure Phoebe gets lonely,when I adopted another dog years ago,the one I already had started peeing in the other dog’s bed, pillow etc. she adapted after about 3 mo. of yelling at her & catching her ‘in the act’ then immediatly putting her outside.Whatever you decide I wish you luck!
Yes, get another dog for your little girl. I would also suggest going to the SPCA or animal shelter and saving a life. It’s so worth it! I have three chihuahuas, only one of which came from a breeder courtesy of my college daughter, and one mini dachshund. The three rescues are just as good as the ‘purebred’ and they all love each other. Now I have four to keep me warm, not just one! They cuddle with me and each other at the same time. Life is very, very good!
I think you should get another puppy. I have a cat, and I’m trying to talk my wife into letting us get a second one.
Yes definitely! My husband and I have 3 Shih-Tsu’s and they are awesome! My husband (then boyfriend) bought our female after 1 yr together, then the male after 2, then they had a litter and we kept a boy and got the female fixed. They totally keep each other company and entertain each other. We work all day so it’s nice to know they keep each other active when we’re gone!
Good luck!
Having two dogs is so much more fun! Mine get jealous, so if one comes to cuddle…the other has to push her way in and you end up with two huge Labs on your lap! There are so many funny moments with two dogs, they totally entertain each other. Get your pooch a friend!!
Nicole, as someone who has always owned dogs and has worked with them, let me tell you that you are very smart to consider getting a playmate for Phoebe. My dog Jasmine used to get so lonely while I was at work, so I got her a playmate. Not only is she much happier, but they play together all day, and they’re both exhausted at the end of the day and ready to sit in my lap for cudle time. ALSO, when she gets to be old she’s going to REALLY want someone to be with her while you’re out. Good luck with whatever you decide!
i have a 1 yr old purebred shitzu male thats looking for a g/f