Should I Get a Second Dog to Keep Mine Company?

It is the kindest-sounding solution: your dog hates being left, so a friend will keep them company. Behavior professionals hear it constantly, and it is one of the most common recommendations owners receive. The research is not kind to it.

What the studies say

When researchers set up cameras in homes and watched dogs left alone, dogs in multi-dog households were not calmer than dogs living solo. If anything, activity during the first hour of separation ran higher in multi-dog homes. There is little evidence that a canine housemate relieves separation anxiety, because the anxiety is about the absent person, not about being the only dog in the room.

A second dog can also export the problem. Some dogs pick up each other's barking or worry. And if the reason for wanting a companion is guilt about long days away, remember that two dogs each still need your time, exercise, training, and attention, now doubled.

Fair questions to ask yourself

• Do I want another dog for my own reasons, enough to cover double the cost, time, and vet care for ten-plus years?
• Is my current dog actually social with other dogs, or do they merely tolerate them?
• Does my home have space, and my schedule room, for two dogs to each get one-on-one time?
• Is my current dog healthy and settled enough that a newcomer would add to their life rather than crowd it?

If the honest answers point toward yes, a second dog can be a joy. Dogs matched roughly in size tend to play more safely, and opposite-sex pairs tend to have the fewest serious conflicts. Introduce them on neutral ground, keep early interactions calm and supervised, and give each dog their own beds, bowls, and resting spots so nothing has to be defended.

If the problem is being alone

Treat that directly instead. Gradual alone-time practice works on the actual worry, because separation anxiety is about the missing person, not about an empty room. And when you do bring home a second dog for the right reasons, the first days set the tone for everything after.

Sources: VCA Animal Hospitals: Getting a Second Dog. Psychology Today: Does Another Dog in the House Reduce Separation Anxiety?.

This article is general education, not veterinary advice. If your dog seems unwell, is in pain, or something changed suddenly, call your vet. If it could be an emergency, do not wait.