Getting a Second Dog

If you're thinking about getting a second dog, you might expect that your first dog will go through some kind of adjustment period. But, you may be surprised if your longtime loving pet begins to show signs of aggression. All too often, owners who get a second dog fail to take action until their dogs have a serious fight. That's unfortunate since there is a so much that can be done to prepare the first dog for the arrival of a new one.

 

 

There are four issues that you must consider before bringing a second dog into your home.

1. Your relationship with your current dog.
2. Your current dog's behaviors.
3. Extra work
4. The best match

Your Relationship

You will be wise to make sure that the relationship with your dog is in balance before you add another pet to your family. Your first dog(s) must be: non-possessive of you; not competitive for your attention, subordinate to you; and able to be a spectator as well as a participant in your life.

Behavior Problems

In addition, since the second dog may mimic the first dog, you would be wise to change any undesirable behaviors of your first dog such as barking, jumping, pawing, chewing, etc before bringing a new dog into your home.

Extra Work

It’s important to know that when you bring a second dog into your home, the additional work increases geometrically rather than mathematically. For example, if not changed in advance, your first dog will need more training at the same time your new puppy does. In addition, although the new Mr. Goodpuppy can be around your first dog (or other pets), he should not be with your first dog(s) (pets) until he is bonded to you, follows you and sees you as his leader. To do this, you must be the new puppy’s source of everything he wants, food, play, affection, attention etc.

The Best Match

And, finally, while there’s no guarantee that any new dog will get along with your current dog(s)/pets), for the best chance for success, you ought to have a prospective dog consultation and/or puppy testing to determine the best breed and match for your first dog.

The Happy Ending

By preparing your dog for the arrival of a "sibling", you avoid magnifying behavior problems that currently exist or creating new ones, and instead, you ensure the safety of your dogs and maximize the amount of joy for you and your family.