should i get a 2nd dog

Question
QUESTION: i have a nine month old bichon Dougal.  As a child and an adult i have had many dogs german shepherds, collies the like. we lost our 17 year old collie last year and thought we would go for something completely different and how?  Dougal is the love of my life and i just want him to be happy however he has started to wet on the floor at every opportunity.  he is alone 4 days a week from 9 to 1pm sometimes less.  he goes visiting with us has walks every day, loves our cat,  sleeps in our bed.  i now would like to get another bichon!!!  mad or what?  My brother has a bichon and when they visit approx once a fortnight Dougal pines for Bubbles for 2 days.  The question is --- do you think another Bichon would help the urinating problem?? and would he be more content in the mornings when i am at work??  Also Dougal does not have a crate or pen but has the freedom of a large kitchen when alone. his bed downstairs is a blanket on the sofa. my two teenage sons give hime plenty of attention as does my husband. He hides behind the chair after he urinates in the house even before i've seen it, so he knows hes not supposed to.  what am i doing wrong???



ANSWER: The urination issue is nothing to do with loneliness its a stage they all go through, just simply start toilet training exercises again, every bichon goes through a "I have forgotten how to do that mummy" stage just about the age of your little boy. HE is also becoming a young man and will rebel against all training you have ever done, dont be alarmed, dont scold him just except it and make training again more fun, within 2 months its all back to normal. You will however notice your boy scenting more this is also normal he is now a young man (12 months) just say no and make him pee outside.
All dogs are social animals but once you get two or more they develop their own pack mentality they are animals and their first instinct is to the pack, you will remain outside of that pack as a human but you will be allowed to interact and work with them, this is the draw back of owning two of any animal.

I would crate train him no dog is too old and they do love it, he will feel more secure and his environment will improve , look at it this way, a dog in the wild or a ferral dog wont look for a huge hidey hole like our houses they choose a small safe secure secluded spot not much bigger than they can turn in.

If you go to our bichon site you will get step by step instructions on all forms of training.
www.eurobichons.com

Good luck and keep me posted


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: with reference to the question of a 2nd bichon i was still wondering if HE would be happier with a friend.  Secondly as i live in the country i sometimes take Dougal to the beach fields etc where i can let him off the lead and let him run free (which he loves) however lately he has taken to running off at full speed ignoring all calls for him to come back. luckily my son has been with me and there was little traffic about but it looks like no more off the lead for Dougal.  please advise  thanks  

Answer
Hi this is all normal for a bichon they all do it at about this age. He will return to normal shortly but keep up with training.
The decision is yours but I would hold off if it was me because the other doggy will simply follow dougals naughty behaviour at the moment.