Ok so my GSD will be 2 in April and my wife and I have decided we wanted to give him a friend. He is outside all day while we are at work in a decent sized yard with fabulous neighbors who play with him while we are gone at times. We live on a cul-de-sac with only two other neighbors who we get along with. My dog, believe it or not, does not bark, unless he hears the doorbell. And our house is set back so that you cannot really see the fenced in yard from the road.

Anyway, so we decided that we wanted to get him a playmate. We understand it is double of everything (food, vet, boarding, etc), but we feel as though since he is alone home outside why not have someone to play with all day. Both my wife and I have stressful jobs in which we leave the house around 7 and don't come home until at least 5:15 and he is outside by himself. Of course we did not realize the work involved before we got him, but he is part of our family now and we refuse to give him up so we have to adapt. Our dog is not too active, he is more of a lazy bum, which I love at times. But when he does have energy he likes to go. I take him for plenty of walks and to the field to do some agility training, but again being gone for 10 hours I am sure hurts him. I hear it is not really that bad, actually good, having two dogs at least two years apart. We are thinking of another GSD because they are pretty much seasonal dogs. We will be installing a doggy door as well. And I know sometimes when I get home, even though I do it, I don't have the energy to walk him, especially after I help my daughter with her homework, spend time with her, cook food, workout, blah blah blah.

So those who have two or more dogs, what is it like? What troubles do you have with two dogs? Mind you both dogs will mainly be outdoor dogs. of course coming in at night time and of couse we will be spending a lot of Q/T with them, but they will be mainly outdoor dogs. Let me know your thoughts....what should I prepare for? What kind of things I should get to satisfy both? Oh and by the way we have a free clinic that we go to, which is good We don't have an office visit just for the shots but we donate and that is how they survive.

Umm, are you getting a second dog so it can exercise and spend time with the first dog? It doesn't work that way. Getting a second dog is not double work - it is double times double times double, and there are so many variables involved.

If you don't have the time and energy for one dog, please don't get a second.

Oh, and why do you just want outside dogs?

JMO from what you've posted.

Well, I think you are lucky you posted such a question on this board...

Keep in mind many of us "purely pet" owners (my new expression nobody else copy it!) keep our dogs inside with us the majority of the time. If you look at the history specifically of the GSD breed, they bond very well with their families. That is not to say that there are not GSD's who live the majority of their time outside and thrive doing so. However, the majority of GSD's do not.
Typically one wants the individual dogs to bond with them, not one another - this is difficult when the dogs are left to their own devices so to speak, then there are the obvious issues of fighting, without you there to break it up, as much fun as puppyhood and adolescents is with an incredibly intelligent breed, it's twice as much fun (sarcasm) with 2.
I had a dog previously who never barked, a month staying with my mother's beagle - she found her voice. Then we had 2 barking dogs.
I have 2 dogs, pros, I love them both, they enrich my life.
Cons, I'm on mat leave and still don't have enough time to spend with them - as much time as I want. Individual training is harder with 2 than with just one. Grooming, each requires daily brushing. Exercise, now I have one with an issue, so sometimes I have to do individual exercise, if the one has a flare-up, then I cannot take both of them for a walk together. Yes all costs are doubled, all work is doubled and sometimes it seems daunting and people procrastinate and then it's worse. The most important thing with dogs is consistency, you have to be consistent with both.

I would re-think the doggy door, unless it's to a part of your home that is like a sun porch or summer kitchen, because a doggy door that lets a GSD in, will have no problem accomodating opossums, raccoons, squirrels, rats or a coyote! And if you think a fence keeps the little buggers out, you've never watched a polecat clear your fence at 11pm while you try to call of your dog and figure out where your baking soda or tomato juice is

It's not that I do not have time for one dog as I do. I take my dog for an hour walk in the morning, at least an hour or more at night along with agility training. It's not that I want a second dog to tire out the first or vice versa, but more of a companion for my current dog. My current dog is great, well-trained, very obedient.

It was probably read wrong in terms of wanting an outside dog. Basically when I am at work he is outside and if we do decide to get a second dog he/she will be outside with him. And of course there will be a dog door installed

One concern I have with my girls is that I do not trust them alone together (yet). Suki likes to get in Diva's face at times, and when she gets worked up it could lead to a nasty dog fight. When we leave them home alone, they are in separate areas of the house, so they really aren't much company to each other. However, we know they are safe.

The doggy door was just a thought it may not be installed. But I went to Pet Smart the other day and the lady there was showing me a doggy door in which the door only opens when the device around the dog's neck is near the door, therefore, it is always shut when the device is not near the door. Not sure how that works.

But on the other hand, it is still up in the air in terms of getting another dog but right now that is what we are leaning towards. It is not to take the place of us spending quality time with my dogs, but it is more for giving my current buddy a playmate. We also understand that there may be some rough housing that goes on as all friends/siblings do, but that's with any animal and that's part of growing up and growing a love for each other. of course I think I should spend more qt with my dog. But our working lives prevent us from doing so. So we figure that since we cannot be home with my current dog now for the 10 or so hours that we are gone, then why not give him a friend. I know everyone is going to have their own opinion but I feel as though there is great joy in having two animals. I know training maybe tougher but that is another reason why we waited until our current dog is old enough.

Some people had mixed feelings about having two dogs but the majority had positive things to say. I may get one and regret it and have to deal with it. On the flipside if I did not get one then I'll go on with life not knowing what it would be like.

I see what you mean. We currently have a male and if we were to decide on getting another one we do not know whether to get another male or a female. Most say get a female to balance as getting another male could be very territorial. But I hear getting a female, they can be very vocal. But also when I say they are going to be outside they are not going to be outside all of the time, but for the most part they will only when I am not home. When I am home they will be inside with me, or if they are outside I am playing with them and/or obedience training

buying another dog to keep the first company is a stupid idea. why on earth do you think your dog wants to share it's life, it's humans and it's territory with another dog? i just never get this "friend for my dog idea". if you really intend to do it "for the dog", i suggest getting a smaller type dog, not a GSD.

My concern would be with them being alone together (inside or outside) when you and your wife are at work.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinions and suggestions and I thank you for yours