Should I get a companion for my anxious dog?

Dogs are social creatures and are not designed to live by themselves, explains veterinary behaviour specialist Kersti Seksel. That doesn't necessarily mean they need a canine friend — humans count, too. As do other pets — anything from cats to goats. They like being in a group which is why they make good pets for humans because they like being with us. The way I answer that is I think we need to resolve the problems of the first dog before we get a second, she says. If you get the dog for you, rather than the dog, it will work out better. Because if you get it and it doesn't work out, they might not get on, then not even you have a bond with the dog and the potential for disaster is great. Dog behaviourist Melissa Starling says it's difficult to say a blanket yes or no to whether a second dog can help with anxiety issues, because every dog is different. Separation anxiety can manifest in different ways and most of the cases I deal with, where dogs have been diagnosed with separation-related distress, that's just one aspect of a bigger problem. A second dog won't address underlying issues, and may even make it worse.

My current dog is a bit anxious, he does fine at dog parks and most of his behavior is separation anxiety from us and barking on the leash w/ hackles raised. He’s currently on Trazodone which does help a lot. I’m just not sure how to go about bringing in another dog when my boy is already an anxious dog. For a bigger and stronger breed we are prepared to dedicate the appropriate time and resources for training.