The Perfect Number of Dogs to Have Is Zero

Yes, you read that correctly.

The perfect number of dogs to own is zero.

Before anyone starts sharpening their keyboard, putting together a strongly worded Facebook comment or questioning whether I've finally lost the plot, hear me out.

I love dogs. I'm trying to make a living working with them. I've spent an awful lot of my time studying them and helping dogs and their owners build better relationships.

But loving dogs doesn't automatically mean you should own one.

In fact, sometimes the most responsible decision you can make for dogs is not to have one at all.

Dogs are hard work.

I don't mean that in the occasional muddy-paw, chewed-slipper sort of way. I mean genuine, everyday responsibility.

They need time, patience, training, exercise, mental stimulation, veterinary care, appropriate food and somewhere safe and comfortable to live.

They need you when it's raining, when you're tired, when you've had a terrible day and when you'd quite happily rather stay in bed.

And they cost money. Quite a lot of it.

Food, insurance, vaccinations, flea and worming treatments, equipment, unexpected veterinary bills and all those little extras soon add up.

A dog isn't something you can put on pause because life has become inconvenient.

They don't understand that you've had a difficult week, that money is tight this month or that you'd rather spend your weekend doing something else.

Their needs don't disappear just because yours have become more demanding.

One dog can be difficult. Two can be more than twice the work.

There's a common assumption that getting a second dog will make life easier.

Your existing dog gets a friend. They'll entertain each other. They'll keep each other company.

Lovely idea.

Unfortunately, dogs don't always read the script.

You might end up with two dogs who get along beautifully. You might also end up with two dogs who have entirely different needs, personalities and behavioural challenges.

One might be confident, the other anxious. One might love other dogs, the other might find them terrifying. One might need plenty of exercise while the other needs a quieter lifestyle.

You may need to walk them separately, train them separately and manage situations where their needs conflict.

And there's another consideration: dogs can influence each other's behaviour. Sometimes for the better, sometimes very much for the worse.

A confident dog can help a nervous dog, but a nervous dog can also teach another dog that the world is a frightening place.

Adding another dog doesn't automatically solve loneliness, separation anxiety or behavioural problems. Sometimes it simply gives you another problem to manage.

Dogs aren't Pokémon. You don't have to collect them all.

There's sometimes an attitude that if you've got one dog, why not get another? And then another?

Perhaps you've fallen in love with a particular breed. Perhaps you've seen a rescue dog that needs a home. Perhaps you think your existing dog would appreciate a companion.

All understandable reasons to consider another dog.

But wanting another dog isn't the same as being ready for one.

Every dog you bring into your home is another individual whose needs, welfare and happiness become your responsibility.

Can you afford another? Do you have the time? Can you meet their individual training and exercise needs? Can you manage them separately if necessary?

What happens if one needs expensive veterinary treatment?

And perhaps the biggest question: is your existing dog actually enjoying life with another dog in the household?

Just because we think another dog would be lovely doesn't mean our current dog agrees.

Dogs aren't accessories, collectibles or interchangeable additions to the household.

They're individuals.

Sometimes saying no is the kindest thing you can do.

There's nothing wrong with loving dogs and deciding that now isn't the right time to own one.

Perhaps you're working long hours. Perhaps money is tight. Perhaps your health, family commitments or circumstances mean you simply can't offer a dog what it needs.

That's not failure. That's recognising your responsibilities.

I'd much rather see someone decide not to get a dog than watch them struggle with an animal whose needs they cannot realistically meet.

And if you're considering adding another dog to your household, take an honest look at what you already have.

If you're struggling to meet the needs of one dog, adding another isn't likely to make things easier.

Please don't get another dog to fix the problems you're having with the first.

A second dog isn't a behavioural treatment plan.

So, how many dogs should you have?

Well, that depends.

For some people, zero is absolutely the right number.

For others, one is perfect. Some households can comfortably manage two, three or even more.

There isn't a magic number. It comes down to the individual dogs, the people caring for them and the resources available.

It's not about how many dogs you can squeeze into your home. It's about how many you can properly care for.

And that means meeting their physical, emotional, social and behavioural needs, not simply keeping them fed and providing a roof over their heads.

I work with owners to improve their relationships with their dogs, and one thing I will always encourage is looking at life from the dog's perspective.

Sometimes that means changing how you train. Sometimes it means changing your expectations. Occasionally, it means accepting that the dog you wanted isn't necessarily the dog that fits your lifestyle.

And sometimes it means not getting another one.

The perfect number is zero.

Not because dogs aren't wonderful, but because every dog deserves a home where their needs can be met.

If you can provide that for one, brilliant.

If you can provide it for three, equally brilliant.

But please remember that dogs aren't a collection, and owning more of them doesn't make you a better dog lover.

You don't have to own a dog to love dogs. And sometimes, the kindest thing you can do for them is know when not to.