All this makes me feel so much better. I would LOVE to have another Sheltie--not only for ME (if money was no object, my husband and I agree we'd have a rescue) but, I would love to have a playmate for Ellie as well. I know she would love another Sheltie--she can pick them out of a crowd at a dog park. She knows her "own." My next best thing would be to find a playdate Sheltie for her. I will keep an eye out!
Can an "Only" Dog be a Fulfillied Dog?
- Thread starter Lahree
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romeosangiovese
Forums Enthusiast
I think some dogs like being the only one, yet others may prefer to have company.
I know Romeo will do just fine and dandy by himself and he'd be happy. I spent all my free time with him (when it was just him), so that's probably why he would be quite content! I also know however that a small part of him wants some non human company - I have seen how he interacts when we go to the dog run.
Juliet on the other hand loves having other dogs around. She loves to play and play and play.
I know Romeo will do just fine and dandy by himself and he'd be happy. I spent all my free time with him (when it was just him), so that's probably why he would be quite content! I also know however that a small part of him wants some non human company - I have seen how he interacts when we go to the dog run.
Juliet on the other hand loves having other dogs around. She loves to play and play and play.
Caro
Moderator
Deska would have much preferred being an only dog. He is happy to see his doggy mates but loses interest pretty quickly. When I got Tully he was very unhappy, even though he was young he had already decided he wanted to be an only pup. I must say having the two dogs was probably more about me worrying he needed company when I wasn't around.
Only dogs?
In reading all the above posts, it seems a lot of you have had Shelties who were very happy being the only dog. Our first Sheltie, "Queen Victoria the first" (always called Vickie) was an only dog after we rescued her for 5 1/2 years until she had to go to Heaven. I know she was always very happy with us after leaving her other owner. When I found little Nicholas within a couple of months, I decided I was the one who needed to have two Shelties (at least) always because of how devastated I was when little Vickie left. I couldn't bear losing another one without having a second little darling here to help me. Now I just lost my very precious Angie Love three weeks ago and I have sweet Christopher here still, but I definitely need another little girl here pretty soon. I am too lonely without her. Christopher is a month from being 3 years and grew up with Angie Love as his sister. He loved her an awful lot. They would play a lot together until Angie Love became too arthritic to play really. I know he misses her an awful lot. I know he really wants another sweetie to play with. He is not as happy without Angie Love. So, I guess some of you are right--some dogs are fine being the "only" while others definitely need another playmate. Good luck. I do hope you can find another Sheltie when you can afford it.
Maida, precious Angie Love in Heaven and sweet Christopher
In reading all the above posts, it seems a lot of you have had Shelties who were very happy being the only dog. Our first Sheltie, "Queen Victoria the first" (always called Vickie) was an only dog after we rescued her for 5 1/2 years until she had to go to Heaven. I know she was always very happy with us after leaving her other owner. When I found little Nicholas within a couple of months, I decided I was the one who needed to have two Shelties (at least) always because of how devastated I was when little Vickie left. I couldn't bear losing another one without having a second little darling here to help me. Now I just lost my very precious Angie Love three weeks ago and I have sweet Christopher here still, but I definitely need another little girl here pretty soon. I am too lonely without her. Christopher is a month from being 3 years and grew up with Angie Love as his sister. He loved her an awful lot. They would play a lot together until Angie Love became too arthritic to play really. I know he misses her an awful lot. I know he really wants another sweetie to play with. He is not as happy without Angie Love. So, I guess some of you are right--some dogs are fine being the "only" while others definitely need another playmate. Good luck. I do hope you can find another Sheltie when you can afford it.
Maida, precious Angie Love in Heaven and sweet Christopher
I am so sorry to hear of your loss! Thank you for your kind thoughts!
k9kreationz
Forums Celebrity
Great thread. I think you're doing a lot for Ellie that as an only dog, she is fulfilled. Heck, you are doing a TON more than I ever did for Miko when he was an only dog (but back then I was working and going to school, poor thing was home alone a lot!).
Miko is the type of dog that likes to be alone, he'll play with other dogs, if he wants. When I got Koji, Miko was very standoffish. He wanted nothing to do with Koji. Koji, OTOH, will be a mess w/o his brother. He loves him and hates when we leave him behind. Trust me, it's not the us, it's Miko he wants.
So, like everyone else said, I think it can depend on the dog's personality, but I also think it depends on how much you offset the "need" for a playmate. With Koji, he definitely would need one, but that's because I am away from the house for 11 hours.
If you really think Ellie needs "doggie" time, I would suggest daycare. There, they start to make friends and have preferences of which dogs to play with. Can't say its any cheaper than a second dog, but I'm just throwing it out.
Miko is the type of dog that likes to be alone, he'll play with other dogs, if he wants. When I got Koji, Miko was very standoffish. He wanted nothing to do with Koji. Koji, OTOH, will be a mess w/o his brother. He loves him and hates when we leave him behind. Trust me, it's not the us, it's Miko he wants.
So, like everyone else said, I think it can depend on the dog's personality, but I also think it depends on how much you offset the "need" for a playmate. With Koji, he definitely would need one, but that's because I am away from the house for 11 hours.
If you really think Ellie needs "doggie" time, I would suggest daycare. There, they start to make friends and have preferences of which dogs to play with. Can't say its any cheaper than a second dog, but I'm just throwing it out.