Can one dog help another?

[pipsie71]

If you had a dog with separation anxiety, could a second dog potentially help that dog overcome it?

That is NOT remotely why we are considering a second dog in the future by the way. If that were the case we'd have a second one already! We just wondered......

Or could it go the other way, and the anxious dog have a detrimental effect on the second dog?

What do you think? Pip

[devastated70]

not sure, sometimes the younger takes on the characteristics of the first one,,, but i would think in some cases the new one could help with the anxiety..
i know ollie would love another one, it's his mama that can handle it right now, to afraid the new one would get in to trouble and take ollie with him,, (like out of the fence, etc- lol)..

[Husky06]

I don't know about that particular problem, but dogs help other dogs a ton. Example, with my guys, Sierra, Max, and my moms dog Lucy helped me a ton with Buck. They reinforced good manners and good calm behavior. I never once had Buck challenge me, bite me, mouth me,jump on me, show any type of guarding, and working him with them has taught him a huge amount of patience and respect. Another example, Sierra use to have anxiety over getting in the car and going for a ride......I linked her collar to Max. Max would just go right in the car and she followed, she didn't shake from anxiety, she relaxed, and settled down. The more and more I did it the better she got because Max was there to help. The influence of Max or Sierra alone has helped other dogs I've worked with want to walk on leash, become more calm, etc etc. I think dogs do a better job with other dogs than we ever could lol. It does help them with problems much faster from what I've seen.

[squashynose]

My first dog, Rocky, had separation anxiety, and as soon as I got Vernon, it stopped :)

[Kkye]

Kye was pretty anxious too until I got Rio.

[Yambasticks]

I think so, I don't know about separation anxiety, but my dog that I did train to help me always helped my other dog who has vision problems from Eye entropia I believe is what its called. I would throw the ball and my suzy, actually Ebony couldn't see it or find it Princess would find the ball for her, she was also hallarious cuz hen we'd get ready for a walk she'd grab Suzy's leash and start wlking her down the hall

[katiem]

I think as long as the second dog doesn't suffer from the same issues you should be fine. All of my dogs are better as a group than as single dogs.

[vmillls]

We got a second dog thinking that he would help with the first dog's separation anxiety AND act as a companion. It did not help with the separation anxiety. They both scream when any one of us leaves for 5 minutes. But at least they're good buddies.

[_Lisa_]

My boxer mix Anna had severe separation anxiety & we tried EVERYTHING to calm the anxiety down w/out getting a second dog. Anti-anxiety training, obedience training, LOTS of exercise, anti-anxiety meds, etc. She still managed to eat her way out of 3 cages & tear down blinds, pull up carpet, crack window panes, etc. Everyone kept telling us to get a second dog but we were so scared of the potential problems a new dog might bring-so we fostered until we found the right dog for us! And our second dog (Cody) does have a little bit of anxiety when we leave him alone in the house w/out Anna, but when they're together her anxiety is almost completely gone! Its the most wonderful thing to have ever happened! :D

[pipsie71]

Thanks for your opinions people. Interesting. So it looks in general like it helps more often than not. If we ever do get another one it would be a bonus if Tilly was happier when left too, Pip

[Wiztherewoz]

I think it really depends on the dogs in question. Each case is different. Tilly might love having a new pal to hang out with so much that the company of said dog may be all she needs to be right as rain and stop fretting. Or, she may just go on as she always has.

It depends on whether Tilly is the way she is because she's fretting that she's been left all alone without anyone to take care of her, or because she's fretting that you and Ryan are all alone with nobody to take care of you. (This happens when dogs believe themselves to be in charge of the family, and they really do feel genuine distress that the ones they are responsible for taking care of have gone somewhere without them.)

If it's because she's afraid to be left alone, then adopting another dog will more than likely help her out a lot. If it's because she's upset you guys have gone off on your own without her there to keep an eye on you, it most likely won't. All that will really help her there is reinforcing the fact that you and Ryan are the ones in charge and that she is in no way above you guys in the family hierarchy, and so has absolutely no need or right to be frustrated and anxious that you left 'without her permission,' or fear for your safety when you're gone, and that you do have every right to walk in and out whenever you please without her getting upset about it.

My dog had SA when I first adopted him. He had abandonment issues, I think. He didn't believe that I would come back every time. I'd eventually abandon him forever, it was inevitable. Having my other dog with him didn't help. Nowadays he's completely fine if I stick to our routine, but whenever I go anywhere at a time that is unusual to him, he gets clingy and upset even now. (Nowhere near the severity he used to, of course.) I think he still half expects me to ditch him.

Anyway, my point mainly is, if you believe that Tilly genuinely trusts you and Ryan as the "pack leaders" so to speak, and that she's only anxious when you leave her because she's afraid of being alone, or she's bored and lonely when she's got nobody to interact with - then getting another dog is probably a great idea.

But if she's thinking that she has to stress about you when you're gone because she needs to be there to look out for you, then getting another dog probably isn't the best idea until you've got her out of that mindframe. Because the other dog may sense that you're not in the top position and might try to take advantage aswell! Depending on the natural temperament of the dog, of course.

I hope you rescue. :)

[pipsie71]

Thanks Wiz, I didn't realise that sometimes they fret because of what you just said. We do a lot of the NILIF stuff with Tilly and she's not dominant at all so I would hope that she doesn't feel like she's top dog.

Yes if we did get another one we would adopt. I didn't realise before that we could what with working and living in a flat but apparently we can so that's great.

It's not the best time right now with Ry being off work money wise, but it's a definate consideration for the future, and his cousin Shelley(the ebt owner) who works for faith rescue is keeping an eye out for us for a good match!

Tilly is that same as your dog, and if the routine is messed up she is worse ie different time of day etc, and she has regressed a little now anyway so we'll have our work cut out when Ry is well again!

Pip

[squashynose]

I'd say DON'T get a puppy, you don't want something that's gonna be looking up to Tilly for direction, or it could potentially copy her behaviour. A nice, calm, balanced young adult, who could be a good friend but also have a calming influence on Tilly. Going down the rescue route means you can check out all the different dogs' personalities, and find one who isn't anxious or high strung.

[pipsie71]

Thanks Em. Yeah it would definately be an older dog, not old, just older, say 2 or 3 years old. It's not set in stone yet but when Ry is back to work it's a distinct possibiity. Good tips from you there, Pip