Is another dog the answer?

Question

i have one dog and two cats. my dog is outside when we are out and at night. my partner and i have full time jobs and lately my dog has started digging holes and tearing things to shreds and he seems lonely and depressed.

when we got the cats (by accident we got them) he didnt like the attention we gave them and started to attack them.

should i get another dog to keep him company? or will he not like the other dog?

Answer 1

You haven't got time for one dog, why would you get another. The dog deserves a better life.  

Answer 2

If he likes other dogs, he'll like another dog

Answer 3

I think a better solution would be to consider getting a dog walker or to do dog daycare. Dog walkers do group-walks in the park where they will take your dog together with 4-5 other dogs for a walk off-leash in a nearby park. They usually have lots of fun doing this, it helps socialize your dog, and they get tired out after the walk. Just make sure you get a good dog walker with the proper credentials.

http://www.ehow.com/how_2129964_rate-mee...

Daycare is also fun for dogs, and your dog would get to play with larger groups of dogs. Again make sure to check out the daycare facilities.

Getting another dog may only compound your problem. Instead of having one destructive dog that chases after cats, you may end up having two. The second dog will probably learn from your first dog and become his adventurous side-kick.

Answer 4

I would bring the dog back in the house and teach him not to mouth or as you say attack the cats.  His attack may have been playing and it looked like he was attacking.

Getting another dog only fuels the fire with the digging and so forth.  He's not learning once again that digging is not an okay thing or tearing something up outside is not an okay thing.

We have 2 german shepherds, 1 beagle and 1 cat in our house.  The gs dogs will try to mouth on the cat and they are told "Leave the cat alone" and I can be in the bathroom and yell that and they leave the cat alone.

It's all in training.  One of our gs dogs is only 8 months--leave him un-attended in the backyard and he'll dig tear up the plastic under the rock or pull up grass.  The other two try every so often but when caught, they stop and it doesn't happen for a long time.  The same goes for the pup.  That's why when I let them out I watch.

Answer 5

because you brought in new family memebers in the house your dog could be getting jealous. you can bring another dog into the family if you want to. but in their "dog world" there has to be an alpha in the "pack." the "alpha" should be you since you are the owner. this will relieve some of the insecurity that your dog may have. Watch some Cesar Millan on the Discovery Channel, he is amazing at controlling dogs. many of the problems that you face is on that show! good luck!!  

Answer 6

I would get him another dog to play with but give him some attention too so he knows you still love him too,seeing he was there first! ( This is just my opinion )

Answer 7

Your dog is exhibiting signs of boredom and lack of interaction with HUMANS. He's found a job to occupy his time because you haven't found the time to give him a job.

How about socialize with your dog, spend time with him. If he's still destructive after getting a lot of quality exercise and attention and working, then seek the counsel of a behaviorist.

With another dog, there's a chance he'll become MORE destructive. Pets don't have pets -- PEOPLE have pets.  

Answer 8

No, you have one dog that doesn't get enough time and attention. You will only have 2 dogs that don't get enough time and attention. Your dog is bored, and lonely for PEOPLE attention. If you want twice as many dig spots in your yard, then get another dog. You want your dog to quit digging, crate him when you go out, keep him in the house at night, walk him more and give him more attention.

Answer 9

What I would do before you make the commitment for a new dog.

I would try Walking the dog before you go to walk for about 45mins or more.

Dogs are natural diggers some are worse than others. I have an area that my dogs are allowed to dig in. What I had to do to encourage them to use that was put food treats in there before I went out. Then one weekend I left them outside all day. Hehehe! I took off all the fly screens off the windows and followed (I walked from window to window) them around the yard while inside the house with a water pistol. When ever they dug in one part of the garden they weren't meant to I sprayed them. The Vet thought it was quite inventive when I told her about it. The point is since that day they have only ever dug in their sand box. Some days I put treats in there to reinforce.

Always leave out a kong or similar before you leave.

then if nothing else works then think about another dog. I really don't think that is a good answer!

Edit:

Pawprint! Crating is not the answer! You crate for training/traveling not for convience! And if you are not traveling it should not be more than a few hours. Dog are meant to have room and run.

Another thing Just because a dog is kept outside does not mean it doesn't get enough attention. I have a friend who has a dog that is an inside dog and it's eating the walls.

We don't know how much attention the pooch gets when they are home. From the sounds of it he is just outside during the day when they are at work and at night when they are asleep.

Answer 10

the answer is not to banish your dog to the outdoors - clearly it's not a dog that enjoys being alone! another dog might help, assuming he's ok with other dogs, but what'd be best for him is living where you live - protected, safe, and warm - inside.  

Answer 11

It sounds like he needs more attention and something to do.  He is probably jealous of the cats.  Try taking him for a good long walk together.  When he is inside, fuss over him first, then the cats.  After all, he was there first.

Another dog may make him even worse.