The Pros and Cons of Getting a 3rd Dog
If you’re considering getting a 3rd dog, there are a lot of things you need to take into account. If you already have two dogs and are considering adding a third, congratulations! You’re about to embark on an amazing journey that will bring love, laughter, and plenty of cuddles into your home. But before you run out and adopt the first furry friend who catches your eye, it’s important to take a step back and consider all the implications of bringing another pet into your family.
Pros
Here are the top 8 pros to owning a 3rd dog:
1. Dogs can provide increased companionship, healthier, and more happy
When you already have one or two dogs in your home, the benefits of adding a third dog are many. Dogs are pack animals and thrive on companionship. A third dog can provide increased socialization and playtime opportunities for all of the dogs in the home. They can also help to create a more balanced energy level within the pack, as well as reduce boredom and separation anxiety for all of the dogs.
2. All three dogs will always be happy to see you and will love you unconditionally
They are always happy to see you no matter what. They are always down for a cuddle session and they make the best walking partners. Having a dog can decrease your risk of heart disease, lower your blood pressure, and help you live longer. They provide us with endless amounts of love and companionship.
3. There will never be a dull moment in your life
When you have three dogs, there is never a dull moment in your life. Whether they’re playing together or cuddling with you on the couch, you always have someone to keep you company. And, if one of your dogs ever gets sick or injured, you have two other furry friends to help them through their recovery.
4. They provide more security
Owning three dogs also provides a sense of security. Whether you live in a safe neighborhood or not, having three dogs means that there is always someone there to protect you and your home. Having three dogs also means you always have someone to watch your back. Whether you’re out on a hike or just taking a walk around the block, you can rest assured that your dogs will keep an eye out for any potential threats. And, if you ever have to evacuate your home in an emergency, you can rest assured that your dogs will be right by your side.
This is especially true if you have large breed dogs. With three dogs, potential intruders will be much less likely to break into your home because they’ll know that they’re outnumbered and outmatched. Additionally, your dogs will be able to alert you if someone is approaching your home, giving you time to call the police or take other necessary precautions.
5. The Strengthening of Your Emotional Bonds
One of the main benefits of having three dogs is that the emotional bonds between you and your furry friends will be much stronger. This is because you’ll have more time to spend with each dog individually, and they’ll be able to form stronger bonds with one another as well. As a result, your home will likely be filled with more love and laughter than ever before!
6. Aids in the socialization of dogs
When it comes to the topic of getting a third dog, there are many benefits that pet parents can reap. One of the most notable advantages is how adding another canine companion helps to socialize dogs of all ages. Dogs who live in multi-dog homes tend to be less anxious and better behaved than those who do not have any siblings.
7. Their personalities may be complementary
Adding a third dog to your family can have many benefits for both you and your existing dogs. A third dog can provide companionship, love, and laughter, helping to balance out the personalities of your other dogs. He or she can also help keep your older dog active and playful, providing a new energy and playmate in your home.
8. They can help you be more active, which is great for your health
A pro for getting a third dog is that they can help make you more active. Dogs need exercise, and if you have three of them, chances are you’ll be taking them on walks or playing with them in the yard more often than if you only had one or two. This is especially helpful if you live in a colder climate where it’s easy to get lazy and stay indoors all winter. Getting a third dog can help motivate you to get out and about more often, even when it’s cold outside.
Cons
Here are the 6 cons of owning a third dog:
1. More expenses and time consuming
Make sure you have the financial resources to support another dog before bringing one home.
One of the things to consider is the extra cost of having another dog – not only do you have to buy more food and supplies, but you’ll also have additional medical costs. Three dogs means three times the vaccinations, three times the vet bills, and three times the chance of something going wrong.
Another con to getting a third dog is that it will undoubtedly require more time and effort on your part. Dogs are social creatures and need plenty of attention, so adding another one to the mix means even less free time for you. If you’re already struggling to keep up with two dogs, a third may be too much to handle. Think long and hard before bringing another pet into your home.
2. Harder to find accommodations
If you’re thinking of getting a third dog, you need to take into account that it may be harder to find places to stay when traveling with three dogs instead of two. Hotels may have size restrictions or breed restrictions that make it difficult to find a place for all three dogs to stay together. You may also have a harder time finding dog-friendly vacation rentals that can accommodate three dogs.
In addition if you don’t take the dogs with you when you travel, it may be harder to find a dog sitter or boarding kennel that can accommodate three dogs at once.
3. More time spent cleaning up poop/messes
There’s also the added responsibility of picking up more poop and dealing with other dog-related messes. Are you prepared for more dog hair? If you’re not a fan of dog hair, adding another furry friend to your home may not be the best idea. Be prepared to vacuum more often and lint roll your clothes on a regular basis.
4. More space needed in the home and yard
When deciding whether or not to get a third dog, one of the most important factors to consider is the amount of space you have in your home and yard. Three dogs will need significantly more space than two, both in terms of indoor living area and outdoor space to run and play. If you live in a small apartment or have a very tiny yard, it might not be the best idea to get another dog.
Your home may need some adjustments. If your home is already cramped, you may need to make some changes to accommodate another dog. This could mean anything from building a fence to getting rid of some furniture.
5. More work to train a third dog
Adding a third dog to your pack can be a lot of work. Not only do you have to worry about training two dogs, but you also have to split your time and attention three ways. This can make potty training, obedience training, and basic behavior management more difficult. It’s also important to remember that each dog has his own personality and you’ll need to adjust your training strategies accordingly.
6. Disrupt the existing pack dynamic
On one hand they may complement each other’s personality as stated in the pros, or adding another dog to the family can also be disruptive to the existing pack dynamic. If you have an established hierarchy among your dogs, a new dog may upset the balance. This can lead to squabbles and dominance struggles. If one dog is already the dominant member of the pack, a new dog could make things very chaotic and result in fights.
Conclusion
When considering getting a third dog, it’s important to think about the pros and cons and make sure that you’re ready for all the extra work (and love!) that comes with owning one. But if you decide that adding another dog is right for your family, be prepared for an amazing journey full of furry friends, tail wags, and wet kisses.
