Does a toy poodle need another dog as a companion?

I have a 3 year old toy poodle, and she is obsessed with her stuffed animal. She thinks it is a real dog, she drags it around the house like a puppy and she cries when it is not in sight. She wants it by her side all of the time. Would it be better to just get her a real dog?|||If you get another dog, get one because YOU want another companion, not as a playmate for your dog. Sounds like she is just obsessed with her stuffed animal. It's kind of like a security blanket for a toddler...just because they carry a blankie doesn't mean they are in need of more friends. It doesn't mean that she *needs* another playmate. In fact, she may not appreciate the intrusion of another dog and may see it as a threat to her possession of her toy...especially if she is not very social with other dogs to begin with. If you are worried about her not getting enough companionship and are not particularly interested in a second dog, sign her up for some more advanced training classes like agility or rally obedience or even just a stupid pet tricks class. Poodles are very intelligent dogs and they love a mental challenge plus she will really appreciate the extra bonding time with you.





If YOU want a second dog, go for it. I have a two-dog household and I will admit that part of the reason for bringing in a second dog at the time we did was because my first dog's best doggie friend was going to be moving far away very soon. But, companionship for the first dog was NOT the primary deciding factor for getting the second dog. We got the second dog because we wanted two dogs and then put in the effort to find a dog that our first dog would get along with.|||she needs a toy box to live in!|||hell no , one poodles enough|||i think it does. if it whines when there is not another dog(or cat) around then it needs a companion|||i think this mean that your dog is crazy lady. try sending her to the psychiatrist , this may help a lot . or you can always but a cat.|||yes, dogs are pack animals and generally don't like to live alone, get another dog.


Prefurrably not a rescue because you could have a hell of a lot of problems then!|||i really do not think so because i have 1 and she never had any other dog to be around. as longest you give love to your pet it will be fine.|||Not unless she acts bored or lonely for companionship and only if she likes being around other dogs. If she is alone a lot and behaves this way out of loneliness, then a companion might (not guaranteed) help. If you have her with you most of the time, it may backfire because she may feel your loyalties are divided between her and another dog. This could stress her even more.





Dogs sometimes play with toys like an individual, but it doesn't necessarily mean that they want real canine companionship.|||Sure. Why not?|||my pup does the same thing, he carries it everywhere and we hav to take it on car rides. ur dog thinks of it as her baby, if u would keep 1 pup if she had a husband and kid........ u hav 2 keep 1 pup or she would be heartbroken!|||Hi =) everyone needs a companion, but maybe getting another dog is not such a great idea cuz she's 3 years old, and it might be hard to accept him or her.. but it would be good 4 her if she had real puppies and you kept one that way she wont be alone and what better companion than one of her puppies =D! hope i can help u|||Yes,we have a dog [toy pootle] and it gets lonely if his buddy is out side,and hes inside. I think your dog needs another friend.But try to get a dog as old as yours. I don't think your dog would want to have a yong one boyhering him all the time.Trying to play.|||I have a teacup poodle and a cat. This sounds a little too obsessive between your dog and its toy. I couldn't imagine having two poodles but it does sound like it needs some kind of companion or attention|||Hannah's answer is very disturbing.





Well it's up to you, I mean from what you are saying, it seems that she is doing fine with the stuffed animal but of course it depends. For example, do you work at home or spend a lot of time at home? When I was at Uni, I only had one dog and that was ok because he got enough companionship as I was only away for short periods of time.





However, when I started work, I realised that the time that I can physically be at home was not as much as before and I got another dog so they can be companions. Of course, there are things to think about before you do get another dog.





Are you financially ok to keep 2 dogs?


Will u have time to spend with both dogs- like having a second dog is no substitute for your companionship with the dogs


What happens if my dog doesn't get along with the new one?





I got my second pup when my first dog was still a pup so they got along- well it wasn't easy at the start, my 1st pup kept biting the new pup and I wasn't sure if they were playing but now they are the best of friends.





Does your dog get along with other dogs? Ever though of adopting a dog and saving a life? That way your dog can meet the dog you are planning to adopt, just to see if they get along.





Good luck