Going from one to two?

Newborn Join date : 2018-11-05

Hi!

15 months ago we got our fantastic furry friend Milo, a now 17 month old male Siberian Husky.
We were warned at the time, that one often becomes two, and two becomes 12.

And they were right.. we are now considering getting another one, but with that consideration comes additional questions, such as:

What are the pros and cons of having two?
Seeing as we have a male, what are your thoughts on getting a female or another male? Please note that due to legislation, we are not allowed so spay / castrate healthy dogs
Is there a huge difference in walking / hiking with two compared to one? Will they pull twice as much or will the dynamic change fundamentally?
Will a friendly and loving husky "automatically" get along with a new puppy?
How about the potential for destruction? Milo has never destroyed anything except 1 cell charger when he was 3 months old, what are you experiences? Do they get more or less destructive in a pair?
Any other experiences? Thoughts?

Hoping for great insight Very Happy

/Sodapiglet

Senior Join date : 2014-08-18 Location : Terlingua, Texas

Hm .. I had to check, though you don't say you must be in Norway ( or other Scandinavian country? )

Considering the legislation I'd opt for another male unless you're going to become a conscientious breeder.

I have three, added gradually over time. From one to two was not a problem, they managed to keep other entertained without too much chaos. From two to three has been a problem since I have two (spayed) females and there's a degree of possessiveness with them.

Walking two or more can be a problem unless they've been well trained - when one's happily going down the road and the other spots a rabbit --- yeh, that can get to be a problem.

Automatic adoption - that, from my experiences with pups depends entirely on the two dogs. Sometimes they get together as if they'd been friend for life - other times they decide to disagree and never let up.

Good luck!!

_________________

“Properly trained, a man can be dog’s best friend.”

Corey Ford .

Newborn Join date : 2018-11-05

That is entirely correct though I didn't know that there were so few countries with legislation like this Smile

We live in Norway and we are not considering becoming a breeder, so we were also thinking same gender.

Seeing as we live in the countryside, there will always be something to hunt. So far, he's been going for rodents, although I think he believes he might be a cultivator of some sort Laughing

Do you have any tips regarding training when it comes to the spotting a rabbit part? Our current one has crazy hunting instincts, and will jump into a ditch to catch rodents without any warning what so ever. With one it's manageable, but I fear that with two, some gear (like spiked shoes or something) might be needed... Would a bungee-cord give enough warning to brace for impact?

Newborn Join date : 2017-06-07

I think it will be much easier to have two male dogs. My two male intact huskies had their nosies against the porch door pretty much the entire duration that our neighbors doggy went into heat. Their eating habits changed somewhat too.

As for the running at squirrels. I have been unsuccessful at them dashng towards those. Walking them with harness and this type of leash has been really helpful for me. Having it secured around my waist frees up my hands and it's easier to control them.

https://ruffwear.com/collections/leashes/products/roamer-leash
https://ruffwear.com/collections/leashes/products/double-track-coupler

Newborn Join date : 2019-01-16 Location : Eastern USA

I know this is probably too late to reply, but I thought I could give some insight as far as training them. I am a dog trainer, and I believe every dog should know the Leave It command.
Leave it can be used for dropped food, to deter barking and to redirect attention.
I start with a treat in my hand, show it to the dog, then trap the treat between my hand and the floor until the dog stops licking/scratching/nosing at the treat. I then award a treat from the other hand. Side note, dog never gets what he is told to leave, takeit and put it back in the bag or do a swticheroo so he doesn't know where it is coming from. As soon as the dog consistently looks away from the treat to me for the treat, I add in the command (leave it, not yours, etc.) . We work up to leaving wildlife, starting with basic leaving smells, then to other people/dogs, to other animals, and so on. Hope this helps!