If you are thinking on adding a dog to your house with an existing dog there is a few things you should take into consideration.
Firstly ask yourself are you getting a second dog for the right reasons? Lots of people get second dogs in hope that their dog will stop its destructive behaviour, nuisance barking or their separation anxiety.
by Ray Breslin of the K9 Academy, Letterkenny.
Sometimes this can help but more often than not you will end up with two noisy destructive dogs as dogs quickly learn from other dogs.
Often people get a second dog as they feel guilty for not spending enough time with their existing dog and just want a friend to keep their dog company. Although the thought is nice and well intended its not a good reason to get a second dog as you will then have two dogs craving their humans companionship.
So you have decided that none of the above are applicable to you and you just love dogs and want another, what do you need to know and do before getting another?
If you have an elderly dog that just likes a small walk and to relax inside with its humans you should look into rescuing a dog of similar energy. Adding a puppy would only make life stressful for an older dog and both could end up with behavioural issues.
Although most of the time same gender dogs get along just fine for novice dog owners it is best to get the opposite gender to what you already have in the house.
Adding a big dog to a house with a small dog and vice versa. This is completely fine as long as your existing dog does not mind big/small dogs. Usually after a month or two they will get along just fine.
If you are getting a puppy or adding any new dog into your house it is important to give your existing dog lots of attention as often the new arrival gets all the attention and this can stress out your existing dog and create conflict between the two.
Your existing dog may act suspicious for awhile if you see them being extra watchful of the new member of the family be careful as often a dog fight can follow. So set up a management system and keep all interactions outside until your dog has accepted the new member.
Do not let your existing dog “put the new dog in his place” this is a ranking system and dogs do not follow a ranking system. If you allow this to happen there can be possible conflict throughout their lives together.
Ask a professional for help choosing the right dog or puppy to bring into your house.
Always introduce the two dogs away from the home in a neutral area this will help ease the transition of the new dog into the house.
