Thinking of Getting a Second Dog to Fix Separation Anxiety? Here’s Why That’s Not the Answer
When your dog struggles with separation anxiety, it’s natural to want to help them feel better. Many owners wonder whether getting a second dog might ease their current dog’s anxiety, after all, surely having a friend for company would make things easier?
Sadly, that’s not usually the case. Separation anxiety isn’t caused by loneliness in the general sense; it’s caused by distress at being away from a specific person. Bringing another dog into the home might seem like the perfect fix, but it often makes things more complicated.
In this post, we’ll explore why getting another dog doesn’t solve separation anxiety, the financial and emotional costs of doing so, and how separation anxiety training works in multi-dog households.
Why Getting Another Dog Doesn’t Solve Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety is a phobia, a fear of being alone and separated from a dog’s person or people. It’s not about missing company or feeling lonely; it’s an intense emotional response to being left.
Even if you add another dog to the family, your anxious dog may still become distressed when you leave. The presence of another dog doesn’t take away that fear or confusion. In fact, I’ve worked with many multi-dog households where only one of the dogs experiences separation anxiety. The others are perfectly content to rest, although in some cases they can become stressed or anxious themselves in response to the behaviour of the dog with separation anxiety.
The truth is, a second dog can’t “fix” separation anxiety, because the problem isn’t a lack of companionship, it’s a fear of being separated from you.
The Risk of Ending Up with Two Dogs with Separation Anxiety
Another concern is that you could end up with two dogs struggling to cope. Dogs learn from each other in all sorts of ways, and anxiety can spread. If your current dog panics when left alone, your new dog might start to associate your absence with that same sense of distress.
Instead of helping, you could find yourself with double the training to do, and double the stress.
The Additional Costs of Owning a Second Dog
It’s also important to think about the practical side. A second dog brings extra costs and commitments, including:
Twice the expenses – food, insurance, veterinary care, grooming, and training.
Extra time and attention – especially when you’re managing introductions, routines, and one-to-one training.
Potential for tension – not all dogs get along immediately, and new dynamics can create extra stress for everyone.
If your goal is to help your anxious dog, investing your time and resources in structured separation anxiety training is far more effective than adding another pet to the mix.
When Getting a Second Dog Is the Right Choice
The only good reason to get a second dog is because you genuinely want another companion and are ready for the extra responsibility. If your motivation is to “help” your anxious dog, it’s best to focus on training first. Once your dog feels confident being left alone, you can consider adding another dog to the household from a calmer, more stable place.
How Separation Anxiety Training Works in Multi-Dog Households
If you already have more than one dog and one of them struggles with separation anxiety, training can absolutely work, it just needs to be tailored carefully.
When I work with multi-dog families, I always train at the pace of the dog that’s struggling most. This means:
Identifying which dog is anxious when left alone.
Building the training plan around that dog’s comfort level.
Practising short absences that gradually build up confidence.
Only separating the dogs if I believe it will positively impact the training process and help the anxious dog learn to cope more comfortably.
The Takeaway
Getting a second dog to fix separation anxiety might sound like a good idea, but it rarely solves the problem and can sometimes make it worse. Separation anxiety isn’t about loneliness; it’s a fear of being alone or separated from their person.
The most effective way to help your dog is through structured, gradual training that teaches them they’re safe when left alone. With patience and the right guidance, your dog can learn to relax, without adding another dog to the household.
If your dog struggles when left alone, I can help. I specialise in separation anxiety training that’s kind, evidence-based, and tailored to your dog’s needs. Find out how my programme can help your dog feel calm and confident when home alone.
