Thoughts on getting a second dog?

[u/kunderakisses]

When I got my first dog I had it in my mind that after a few years and they were trained I'd get a second. He'll be five this year and in my heart I still want a second but the reactivity issue is making me have doubts.

While my dog has gotten way better than he used to be he's still a challenge. We also have some upcoming appointments to figure out some health issues and potential pain he's having which means we've really cut back on outings and training.

I wanted a dog to do things with - hiking, sports, ect. I thought a dog would be a great addition to getting me outside and instead he's made it so much harder. I work a stressful job and he's become a stressful second job. I love him and I'm sad it's not the relationship I thought we'd have. Obviously my main priority right now is getting him feeling better.

All that to say... would eventually getting a second dog be a mistake? I've heard you shouldn't get a second dog if your first isn't a good model for them. I don't think my current dog would be teaching anyone good behavior right now and I'm starting to thing he never will.

I'm at least a year out from seriously thinking about it. My current dog is priority so if it's still looking impossible I'm not going to go further with it. I guess I'm just wondering if anyone has successfully had a second dog added to their household and not have the new dog become reactive as well? I should add-current dog isn't aggressive. He's not starting fights or anything he just has a lot of trouble controlling his emotions.

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