Many people do not give two dogs time to adequately adjust
to one another before deciding that having two dogs will simply
not work. It can take up to one month for an old dog and new
dog to really settle in and accept each other's position in
the pack. If you want a second dog, you need to be ready to
commit to this process and not panic. Below is info to help
you decide whether this step is for you and if so, how to make
it successful. Often, after an adjustment period, the old dog
and new dog will truly enjoy each other. You'd be surprised
at how two dogs who appeared to really dislike each other can
become best friends after a short while.
Have someone else meet you on neutral territory with your
current dog. Let them sniff each other and then consider taking
them both for a walk around the block. Watch for signs of dislike
or aggression. Don't allow one or the other to snap or bite
at the other one. After it looks like they are OK around each
other, you can have them meet off leash. Keep in mind that many
dogs are fine together off leash. Often, when a dog is on a
leash, he/she can show aggression, which is simply a way of
trying to establish dominance or trying to protect you, the
owner. Don't immediately assume that they will not get along
when you see this behavior on leash. However, be cautious about
introducing them off leash if there is a lot of aggression shown.
It is usually a good idea to introduce the dogs with one other
person and to leave the leashes on, letting the dogs drag them.
It's much easier to break up a dog fight by grabbing leashes
than by putting your body between two fighting dogs.
After you introduce them in neutral territory and they seem
to be okay, you can introduce them inside your house. Once inside
you could still have territorial disputes over toys, attention,
etc. Keep in mind -- one dog will become the alpha dog and you
can't help decide which one that will be. This may develop over
time but at some point only one will be the alpha. Do not immediately
break up squabbles unless one or both dogs is fighting aggressively.
Snapping, barking and herding are ways that dogs show dominance
over others and establish the alpha position. Keep one or both
on leashes initially so that if a dispute develops you can stop
it by pulling them away using the leashes.
Make it clear to both of them that fighting is not allowed
behavior (you may not even have to deal with this problem --
but you never know). If you have to break up a fight -- give
them both a "time out by confining in a crate or separate
area for a few minutes. After a while you'll be able to recognize
when one "sibling" wants to pick a squabble with the
other one and stop it before it starts. Watch for one dog staring
at the other one and the one being stared at acting uneasily
or getting "huffed up.
Don't leave new/old dogs alone together when you are not thereto
keep an eye on them. Don't take a chance that a dog fight won't
occur while you are gone. It's not worth an injured or dead
dog. Crate them both, or if the "old" dog is used
to being free in the house, crate the "new" dog in
another room. Leave the door closed so the uncrated dog can't
taunt him through the bars. (Yes, it does happen. Dogs will
act just like kids sometimes). This can be relaxed to separate
only with a baby gate eventually and if behavior warrants.
Feed them in separate areas- for example, put one dog in the
laundry room off the kitchen with a baby gate closure, and feed
the other one in another part of the kitchen where they can't
see each other eat. Food is a great fight starter, especially
if you have one that gobbles and one that picks through every
bite. Once alpha dog has been established, you can help prevent
spats by recognizing the alpha dog as alpha. Give the alpha
dog treats first, let the alpha dog out the door first, etc.
Helps keep order in the pack. You, of course, will be alpha
over both of them.
Jealousy can be a problem when another dog comes into the household.
Be sure to pay attention to both and not baby the newcomer.
He'll fit in eventually. The "old" dog may need reassurances
that you still love her. It's a good idea to give each one some
separate attention without the other one around to try to horn
in.
Don't change sleeping arrangements for the current dog. If
she sleeps on the bed with you continue to let her, but I suggest
putting the new dog in a crate in your bedroom or somewhere
else if that is what you choose. You'll also want him crated
until housebreaking has been reestablished and is very reliable.
Whatever you prefer for an arrangement do it from the start.
We don't recommend having the new dog sleep on the bed right
off the bat. This could cause a territory dispute (territory
is you) and cause some stress for the old dog because her world
has changed.
