This is a question most of us ask when we have added a new family “member” into our household, is my dog lonely without another dog?
I have owned dogs who were my one and only and I have owned two dogs, three dogs up to five dogs all at once.
I have also bred dogs previously, so counting puppies I have had up to sixteen dogs in my household. The puppies were all house raised so that they would be well adjusted to having humans around them right from when they were born. This pays dividends, big time!
Would You Like to Know How to Train Your Dog?
FREE Online Coaching Session Available NOW!
Back to our question. I had a period in my life when we did not have a dog, as our boys growing up, had sporting fixtures and interests whereby they needed the “mum or dad” taxi service so that they could attend training, lessons, and/ or events and a dog would not have received the attention that is imperative that a family dog needs.
I started back with dogs about eighteen years ago and bought my first dog, a male Sheltie, which I trained for various competitive dog sports. He was a very willing learner.
Being in the fortunate position where I could take my dog to work with me, he was never lonely, bored, or without attention. He had the best life, as he was either learning new things with me, going to work with me, going out together, or going to events.
At around the age of him turning three, I decided to purchase another dog to train for competition and a companion for him to play with on the occasions when I needed to be out and about.
As he was such an easy dog to live with, I expected him to welcome this new addition “with open arms”. To my surprise, he sulked, even though I showed him the same one-on-one attention, he was miffed that some of my time was given to helping this new puppy feel welcome. She was a delight and only wanted to be his friend.
So I had to then ask myself, is my dog lonely without another dog, and I had to answer, no, as he was showing that he was not going to make friends, and certainly not just because I wanted him to.
Oh gosh, it is easy to be wise after the event I was thinking.
However, being solution-minded, I started asking myself what could I do to help this issue. I realised that whilst I was giving them both one on one attention, I was not playing with them as a team together, so out into the backyard we went and I started throwing balls and toys a short way from where I was on the ground sitting. I would sometimes throw one item and they would both run towards the item, mind you I believe the puppy was only following Zac, however, it did not matter why the puppy was following, it mattered that they were enjoying time together with me. I sometimes threw two items and they did not know which one to get, especially the puppy who was just there for the fun. I was joining in the fun with an excited voice which they loved.
I kept this up and after about a week, I tried the new puppy with Zac outside together and I could see his manner was warming towards her.
From then on, I kept up my interaction with them as one-on-one, plus interaction with us all together and it worked brilliantly.
It is like everything in life that is worthwhile, we need to give the matter our full attention and time. There are no shortcuts, it is time, consistency, and patience which bring you the results you are looking for.
As I love dogs, over the years, I have had up to four dogs in training at one time, and whilst all dogs have their own personalities and traits, I have blended them together with the same methods as suggested above and have always been aware that if I did not take the time to bring them together as a family pack, then I and they would not reap the benefits.
And let’s face it, at times you will need to be away from home all day for either family, social, appointments, or work commitments, and your dogs will be alone.
If your dog has another companion for company that you have taken the time to assimilate together, you can go on your way happily knowing that the question … is my dog lonely without another dog, can be answered with a positive, as you know and have seen how your dogs now lie together, sometimes groom each other’s faces by licking and are now the best of mates.
If you are prepared to make the necessary efforts and take the time to help your dogs love each other, then go for it. Your efforts will be rewarded.
Would You Like to Know How to Train Your Dog?
FREE Online Coaching Session Available NOW!
Until next time…
With Love, Success and Inspiration
Robin Oliver
