“Help! “Help! “Would getting a second pet help him feel less alone?”
This question has been asked many times. But, like many other questions in life, there is no definitive answer. A dog may make your dog feel less alone, but if he has separation anxiety with then the presence of a second dog will not likely change his behavior.
In some scenarios, adding another dog can worsen the situation.
Separation anxiety is not cured by a second dog
Theoretically, getting a second dog to ease your dog's anxiety is a great idea. Your second dog is going to keep your dog company while you are away and relieve all the extra stress & anxiety.
In reality, it's not that simple.
Three things are likely to occur when you get a new dog for your existing one who is suffering from separation anxiety:
- Separation anxiety will continue to affect your dog even if you return home.
- Your dog's current behavior will teach your dog to be less anxious when you leave.
- With a new friend around, your current dog will feel less anxious.
There's no way to guarantee that third option will happen.
Separation anxiety can affect dogs regardless of whether or not you have other pets in your home. Separation anxiety can be treated by other pets, but not by your dog.
It's possible that your dog could teach your second dog to be anxious when you leave. This is particularly true if you are considering a puppy.
It is important to carefully consider the pros and cons of getting a second pet as a companion dog for an anxious dog. It's more common that the anxious behavior of the resident dog will spread to the new one than the confidence flowing in the other direction. Separation anxiety: Getting another dog?
Getting a second dog is great, but do it for the right reasons
Separation anxiety is a complex issue that often requires multiple approaches to control. Separation anxiety is caused by the separation of the dog from its owner and not simply being alone. While another dog may make a dog feel less lonely, this is unlikely to help your dog when you are away.
If your dog suffers from separation anxiety disorder, bringing another pet into the home will likely not alleviate the stress he feels during separation. Work with your vet or a professional dog trainer before adding another pup to the mix if your current canine suffers from separation anxiety disorder. – Considerations to Make Before Getting A Second Dog
You should not get a second pet just to help your existing dog. You're committing to a new dog for a minimum of 10 years when you bring another one into your family. You need another dog.
You can find a local dog rescue with a foster-to-adopt program if you decide to bring another dog into your home. This gives you the opportunity to ensure that your new dog is the right fit for everyone in the family.
Wait until your dog's separation anxiety has been controlled before you consider getting a second pet. Do not let the anxiety spread. It is much easier to handle one anxious dog rather than two.
Resources for Managing Mild Separation anxiety
Nicole Wilde’s book Don't Leave Me (affiliate links) has been my favorite resource to manage separation anxiety. Step-by-step Help for Your Dog's Separation anxiety.