Is getting a second dog a good idea for my devoted Shih Tzu?

This would likely be a great idea! Most puppies get along with other puppies. If you have friends with other friendly dogs, you may try to see how she does around them first. Once you find a dog you want to adopt, you may ask the rescue if you can do a meet and greet and see if they get along before adopting the new dog. Also, if you do adopt a new dog, I would not leave them alone without supervision for a little while until you are confident that they will get along. I would also not feed them together or give them bones as this can increase the competition feeling. I hope this helps!

Yes dogs can grieve and get lonely. Most dogs enjoy having company so getting another dog could be a good idea if you have the time and energy for another dog. You may consider a rescue dog, that way you can try them together and make sure Rosie likes the new dog and they get along. Young puppies can be very annoying to a grown dog and Rosie may not adjust well especially as you will need to spend more time with a puppy and may inadvertently neglect giving Rosie the time with you that she needs. Fostering a dog also is a good option as you can help a dog in need and if it's not a good fit for you and Rosie it will leave when it finds the right home. Many people keep the foster dog after they get to know them and they settle into the home. A puppy can be a good solution too if done right and it would certainly get Rosie up and playing again! I do think getting Rosie a companion is a good idea as she sounds like she needs one. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Rosie.

Hi again! That decision is up to you. Maisy may enjoy a play mate but also remember that a new puppy can actually cause stress and anxiety for Maisy -and we know the move will already probably be stressful. Don’t forget too the work load for you and your partner- are you up for the training and cleaning up after a new pup? If so, go for it! If not, consider seeing how Maisy does with the changes and then consider a new playmate in a few months if you think it will be a good fit.

This is a tough question to answer. Some dogs do much better with another dog around, and some do better alone. It depends on Ginger's personality. If she likes to play and gets along with other dogs, she might enjoy the company. If she is afraid of a lot of things, the best thing you can do is get her out into different environments as much as possible. The more she experiences in a positive way, with treats and affection, the more comfortable she will become with new things.

Without knowing how Cookie interacts with other dogs, it would be hard to say. I would recommend bringing her to a local park to see how she reacts- is she interested? Does she want to play? Or does she avoid and shy away from the other dogs? This may give you some idea as to how she may interact with a new dog in the house. If you do decide to get a new dog, I highly recommend bringing Cookie with you to the shelter or other place you are looking for one. Most shelters will allow you to introduce your current dog to any potential new family members to see if they are going to get along. As for age, it really depends more on your dog's personality and that of the new dog. An older dog that is super hyper may not work well compared to a very calm puppy, etc. As with any new pet, take introductions slow. Even if they got along outside the home, they may still have some scuffles over shared items, spaces, etc. Separating the two until both are calm, and then trying again to reintroduce them can help ensure things go more smoothly during the transition.

Male and female combinations may get along better BUT many households have single sex pets and absolutely no problems. The biggest factor is individual personality. I recommend to have your first dog meet any potential housemates to make sure they seem to like each other. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Great question. I think this depends on how well they all get along. If you screen the new dog properly and do a meet and greet, and they all end up being great companions, I think it's a great idea and shows you are thinking ahead. A death of a companion can be very devastating not only for humans but for the other pets in the house. Having another pet around would hopefully distract from and provide some relief when one of your other dogs passes. I think if you are ready for another dog and are willing to take on the financial aspect of it, it's a great idea. Best of luck with you and I hope you have many good years left with all of them.