about getting one more dog

Question
hi
I just want to ask about a situation, i have a shitzu and i like to get another (my first shitzu 2 years old boy) female , but i like to have a baby when i should get one before i am pregnant or after i just think that will be nice if my puppy have a friend when i am with the baby  

Answer
Hi Gabriella,

I would suggest that you only get another dog if you, as a family, want another dog. It is not necessary to get a new dog for the sake of your current dog, it's your attention and love that he wants, and what the new dog will want as well.

You should start by evaluating the dog you already have. Is he sociable and good with other dogs? If not, he may become a recluse or act aggressively with the new dog.

Are you trying to minimize the time you spend with your dog? Dogs need human company. You'll need to spend individual quality time with each dog, and that might be hard with a new baby.

Towards the end of a pregnancy, and once the new baby arrives, you probably won't have the time (or energy) that having a new dog in a household involves. It can take a month or longer for both old and new dogs to acclimate to the new living situation, and that's if it goes smoothly.

If you feel your current dog would get along with another dog, and it's what YOU want, then I'd say now is the time to get one.

Working in dog rescue as I do, having to surrender a dog due to a new baby is all too a familiar an excuse for not keeping pets. I hope you consider the amount of time two dogs and a baby are, before committing to another pet.

I hope I've been a help.

Best of luck,
Patti