Bringing Another Dog Into Your Household
There are a few things I think of when I decide to bring a new dog into the household. Only YOU can answer these questions.
1. Remember that on the other end, during their elder years, if dogs are close together in age, they may die close together which can be VERY difficult on you. I like to put about 3 years between dogs. Although I had two dogs that were 6 years apart and they died on the same day! It was horrible. Even the best laid plans don’t always work.
2. Is the oldest dog going to be a good mentor? Meaning, do you have the oldest dog in a good place with good manners, coming when called, no jumping, and so on? Puppies will follow the lead of the other dog in the family. Bringing another dog into the home to help the first dog to have better behavior is a fallacy. It doesn’t work. So many times I hear, “My dog needs a play mate!” YOU should be your dog’s world or your dog’s playmate. If you do not have the time to be the world to your dog, then maybe having a dog is not a wise thing for you at this point in your life.
3. Bringing a new dog into the family means a couple of things; it will need time away from the first dog (or other dogs) to develop their own personality without becoming dependent upon the first dog for direction. The puppy should have alone time from the first dog(s). The new puppy or dog should have their own crate and sleep by itself. The new dog will need to be taught that the existing dog has preference because the first dog will be the high ranking dog, not the new dog. So, frequently, the first dog should get to go to the store while the new dog stays home in a crate. Don’t think “equal.” In the dog world, there is no equality. Think pack social hierarchy. Give the first dog preference. Help the new dog to see this and help the pup or new dog to develop independence not dependence. That doesn’t mean they can’t spend lots of time together, but that time should be highly determined by YOU. If you feel you can do that, then another dog could be a good thing for you and your family.
4. I would always consider the opposite sex when bringing a new dog into the household. Bitch fights are brutal and non-forgiving. It’s true.
5. Looks should not be a consideration in determining another dog. Cute pictures should not make your decision on a new addition. Along that same line, educate yourself on the breed or breeds that will fit well into your household. A high drive herding dog may not be well suited to a home with small children or other small dogs. A herding dog will become intrigued with chasing and nipping other dogs, cats and sometimes children. It is not aggression, but their instinctual prey drive. Do some research about breeds before you go choose another dog or puppy to blend in.
6. Be prepared to train, train, train. Just because a dog may be young is not an excuse for not training. The sooner you begin training, the easier life will be. If you don’t have time to put significant training in, you might wait until you do have time.
Bringing a new dog into a household with an existing dog can be so much fun. But, it can be a disaster, too, if there is no consideration for harmony and how that comes about.
Caption: Individual time spent with a new addition is one of the best things you can do to help “blend” your new dog into your home.