| Bringing a second dog home requires a lot of | | | | rigid, but for the first meeting that is okay. |
| thought. It means a complete change in your | | | | However, if you hear growling or see lip curling, |
| "normal" family routine. It matters not whether | | | | calmly move them apart. |
| the new dog is a puppy or an adult. | | | | Remain calm and do not be nervous, talk to the |
| There are many things to consider before you | | | | dogs in a "happy voice." |
| bring the new pet home. | | | | After a few minutes try to introduce them again, |
| It is not just a matter of bringing the new dog | | | | but do not let them get too close together. |
| home and you all will live happily ever after | | | | If the growling and lip curling happens again it is a |
| (though that can be a remote possibility.) | | | | good bet that these two will not ever be friends. |
| You need to take time to think this new | | | | Whatever you do, do not try to force a |
| undertaking through and mull over these | | | | friendship. You will only be looking for a great deal |
| questions: | | | | of trouble when you get them home. |
| Are you living on a tight budget? A second dog | | | | Dogs will fight and if they do not like each other, |
| will require annual vet visits, will need food, toys, | | | | it can be disastrous for you and the dogs. |
| perhaps a new crate and possible training classes. | | | | In looking for a new dog (not a puppy) try to find |
| A second dog requires "time." Do you have extra | | | | a dog whose personality matches that of your |
| time to play, for walks, time to groom your pet, | | | | dog. If your dog is outgoing and friendly, find one |
| time for feeding, training and extra clean up? | | | | that is equally so. If your dog is quiet and gentle, |
| Does your current dog have any behavioral | | | | do not bring home a dog that is very active and |
| problems? Anew dog might not be able to teach | | | | playful, the match more than likely will not work. |
| your old dog to stop misbehaving. You could end | | | | Female dogs that have been the only dog in the |
| up with two dogs each with bad behaviors, | | | | house seem to have a harder time adjusting to a |
| making matters worse. | | | | new "friend." |
| Do you have the patience to adhere to "dog | | | | Dogs that have been socialized and get along well |
| pack' rules? Even though you are the LEADER, | | | | with other dogs have an easier time relating to a |
| two dogs are a pack and one or the other will | | | | new dog in the household. |
| become the second leader. If it's the new dog, | | | | One of the first rules in raising a puppy is |
| can you adjust to following the rules? The leader | | | | "socialize, socialize and socialize" some more. If |
| dog gets to be "first" in all things and you cannot | | | | you have followed that rule, adding a new dog |
| change that. Trying to change what is natural dog | | | | should be easier. |
| behavior will cause conflict and "big trouble." | | | | Once the introductions have been made and it is |
| Are you prepared for the resident dog to start | | | | time to bring the two dogs home a good |
| misbehaving, such as using the house as a potty | | | | suggestion is "do not bring them home together" |
| place, chewing things and just being destructive in | | | | in the same car. Let the person who helped you |
| general? The newcomer may upset your pet. | | | | with the introduction bring the new dog home. |
| Is your current dog friendly with other dogs and | | | | It is a suggested procedure that when you have |
| people? If your resident dog is a "bully," your | | | | both dogs at home you keep their leashes on |
| chances of finding a "friend" for him/her are slim. | | | | them. It will be easier for you to keep control if |
| Training classes for your current dog maybe the | | | | you need to by having a leash to grab on to. |
| answer before you plunge into getting another | | | | If the new dog is close in age to your resident |
| dog. | | | | dog there is bound to be a bit of aggression going |
| How is the stress level in your household? Have | | | | on. |
| you moved, added a new family member or has | | | | You now have a "pack," it will be necessary for |
| anything else happened to upset the normal | | | | the two dogs to decide which one is going to be |
| routine of the household? Dogs stress out during | | | | second in charge (you are the real leader) and this |
| changes in their routine. Times of stress are not a | | | | decision may take some haggling. |
| good time to bring home a new dog. | | | | Acceptable aggressive behavior should last for a |
| Are you happy with your dog right now? A | | | | few seconds (10 --20 seconds) and may consist |
| second dog could bring changes in your dog's | | | | of some growling, lip curling, snarling, snapping and |
| personality. The two dogs could really bondand | | | | possibly pinning one of the dogs down by the |
| might prefer being together, ignoring you, except | | | | neck. |
| for food and treats. Are you ready to accept | | | | Unacceptable aggressive behavior would be biting |
| that? | | | | to draw blood or any of the above behaviors that |
| Read these questions a few times and answer | | | | last more than a few seconds. |
| them truthfully. Being truthful will help eliminate | | | | One of the dogs may exhibit submissive behavior |
| you making a mistake. | | | | and this is to be expected also. Barking like a |
| Some dogs really don't want a "companion," they | | | | puppy, rolling over on its back, tail between its |
| are as happy as a clam being the "only dog." | | | | legs, running away from the other dog are all |
| The real question here is "is it you that wants a | | | | acceptable submissive behaviors. |
| new dog?" | | | | It may take the dogs a week or two to settle on |
| Once you have made up your mind and truly feel | | | | who is the leader and while that is going on DO |
| that another dog will be an added benefit to your | | | | NOT let them alone together unsupervised. |
| household. There are a few more things to | | | | Put the dogs in separate areas or in their crates, |
| consider such as: puppy, young adult or an older | | | | do not let them be together until you are certain |
| dog. That will depend on your resident dog. | | | | they have settled their ranking and will get along. |
| Puppies are probably easier to introduce to your | | | | The hardest thing for you will be following their |
| current dog, as a puppy doesn't appear as an | | | | decision especially if your first dog is no longer the |
| intruder, only as a pest. | | | | "number one." |
| If you decide on a puppy, please keep this in | | | | The important thing here is that you abide by |
| mind. Puppies do not realize they are supposed to | | | | their decision no matter how hard it will be for |
| behave in a certain way until they are about 4 | | | | you. |
| months old. | | | | The number one dog gets the first treats, is first |
| Until they are old enough to know all this "dog | | | | out the door, is first to be fed and so on. |
| stuff," it will be up to you to protect the puppy | | | | Speaking of feeding, give each dog their own |
| from the older dog and protect the older dog | | | | bowls and their own eating spot, do not let one |
| from the puppy. | | | | steal food from the other. |
| The puppy will drive the older dog crazy at times. | | | | Expect your first dog to go through some stress |
| Puppies want to play; older dogs will play for a | | | | and probably some misbehavior patterns as this |
| little while then want to stop. | | | | new addition will be upsetting to it and the dog will |
| It is up to you to give your older pet, free time | | | | need to adjust. |
| away from "fluff and stuff." | | | | It is up to you to expect these problems and act |
| Do not under any circumstances leave the puppy | | | | accordingly. Remember your dog did not ask for |
| and older dog alone without supervision. | | | | a new friend. It was your idea. As the old saying |
| Always put the puppy in its crate or put your | | | | goes "you made your bed now lie in it." |
| resident dog in a safe room if you are leaving the | | | | It may take a month or more for a routine to |
| house or cannot supervise. | | | | establish and peace to rein supreme once again in |
| The older dog could unintentionally injure the | | | | your household. If you keep the dogs apart when |
| puppy, if the puppy pesters the older dog too | | | | you are not home to supervise and you make |
| much. | | | | the time they spend together "fun" they will soon |
| Adding a young adult dog or an older dog to your | | | | become friends, maybe not "best friends," but |
| household requires a lot more tact along with | | | | close enough to enjoy being together. |
| patience and planning. You are going to need help | | | | Do not forget that you are the LEADER, the |
| with this one. | | | | boss supreme, and you run the show, and both |
| Step number one; the dogs will have to meet on | | | | dogs need to follow your orders first. |
| neutral ground. To do this you will need help of a | | | | Do not beat, hit or otherwise use force to make |
| friend or a relative (not a member of your | | | | a point, be patient, stern if necessary and most |
| household.) | | | | of all CONSISTENT in what you are asking of the |
| The dogs need to meet in a place your dog has | | | | dogs. |
| never been, that will be the neutral territory. It | | | | One last point: exercise is the secret to keeping |
| can be a park, a neighbor's yard, or if all else fails | | | | your dogs too tired to argue with each other. |
| a parking lot. | | | | Exercise relieves their stress (and maybe yours. |
| Both dogs need to be on a leash and introduced | | | | too) and tired dogs behave better. |
| casually. Allow them to do all the "doggy things," | | | | Good luck and remember to have FUN. |
| such as smelling each other, their stance may be | | | | |