Dear Uncle Matty: Three weeks ago, our 4-year-old spayed chocolate Lab started climbing out of the yard to go "visiting," so we've had to close her in the house while we're at work during the day. She has a dog door, which we now have to lock. We also have a 4-foot chain-link fence around our whole yard.
We've been thinking about getting another dog, not a puppy, to keep her company because one of the things she likes to do is jump into our neighbor's yard and play with her new puppy. We've never been a two-dog family, and we're not sure another dog will keep her from getting out. We've been toying with the idea of a higher fence or an invisible fence. We do not believe in tying up or crating. Can you help us? — L.P., Mims, Fla.
Dear L.P.: Getting a second dog to solve an existing problem is not a good idea. Usually, you wind up with two dogs and two problems. You need to solve the escape-artist routine first. A 4-foot fence is not high enough. Even small dogs that have a good spring in their leap can accomplish a jump over a 4-footer. So get a 6-foot fence that is installed so your dog cannot dig out, but remember, some dogs can clear a 6-foot fence! Or you could install a dog run (concrete floor, chain-link sides and top with a gate) that has adequate shade so she can move about, play and rest while you are gone. I am not a fan of invisible fences.
And if you've been reading my column for a while, you know that I believe every dog should be well trained. So, I'm hoping that your dog is trained and that you have real communication with her. That is especially important if you get a second dog.
Now, when the yard is properly fenced and your Lab is well trained, if you want a second dog — because you want one, not just to keep your dog company — then go for it. Just make sure you temperament-test the candidates and find out as much about the prospective canine member of the family as you can. Ask about background, and make sure the new dog is not aggressive and is well socialized. If the dog is not trained, that's something you need to deal with right away — so you can communicate with both dogs.
You will be better off getting a male rather than another female. Dogs of the same sex are more likely to have "top dog" or alpha issues.
Let me emphasize that the reason for getting a second dog is that all members of the family want one. If the only reason you are thinking about getting a second dog is to keep your dog company, that's not enough. You have to want to double the pleasure of having a dog in your life. If you think getting a second dog will solve a problem, that usually doesn't happen. Do I believe in more than one dog? Well, I have three wonderful dogs and four delightful miniature donkeys, and my wife and I can't imagine being without any of them. But — the dogs are all well trained, and we're working with the donkeys.
Note: If your community has or is considering any dangerous-dog law that identifies specific breeds, please e-mail me or write to the address below with the details. Breed-specific legislation is one factor causing insurance companies to refuse to write policies for homeowners and renters with the listed breeds.
This type of legislation is also being used as an excuse by insurance companies to publish their own anti-breed lists. This entire approach by legislators and insurance companies is faulty because there are dangerous dogs in every breed and wonderful, loving temperaments in every breed. I'd like to list communities that are contemplating or have such legislation in this column so dog owners everywhere can start fighting back.
Dog trainer Matthew "Uncle Matty" Margolis is co-author of 18 books about dogs, a behaviorist, a popular radio and television guest and host of the PBS series "WOOF! It's a Dog's Life!" Read all of Uncle Matty's columns at the Creators Syndicate web site at www.creators.com, and visit him at www.unclematty.com. Send your questions to dearuncle.gazetteunclematty.com or mail to Uncle Matty at P.O. Box 3300, Diamond Springs, CA 95619. © Creators Syndicate