7 Do’s and Don'ts When Bringing Home a Second Dog

If you have been considering welcoming a second dog into your home, chances are your established pooch may not be welcoming from the beginning. To up the odds of acceptance, you need to carefully prepare before you bring home your new addition. Consider the breed and temperament of your new pet, as well as the initial introduction of both dogs. Here are a few tips to help you out.

To increase the odds of a peaceful co-existence between both dogs, you might want to choose a breed with a size that is similar to Dog #1. For instance, if you own a St. Bernard, you might want to think twice about bringing how a toy breed that could inadvertently become roughed up during over-zealous play.

Also, think about the personality traits of both dogs. The new pup you choose should have a temperament that is compatible with your old dog. For instance, if your new pet is more aggressive and dominating than the established one, there could be a conflict.

A common mistake that some pet owners make is choosing a second dog that is their own ideal dream dog. Rather than selecting your new pet based on your own preferences, you need to consider the compatibility factor between both dogs.

In some cases, two dogs of the same sex may get along fine, but some experts feel it is best to choose a new pup of the opposite sex. Same sex dogs may become rivals, and there is a greater chance of competition among the two. If you want to play it safe, team your female dog with a male counterpart and vice versa.

To avoid a territorial riff among both pets, do not bring your new pup home for the initial meeting. Allow both dogs to meet on neutral ground. Introduce the dogs at the park or at your friend's home.

After the first meeting, wait a day, then try again. Do this in the same neutral territory. Once the two dogs become accustomed to one another, you can bring the new pup into the home.

Don't have both dogs unleashed and thrown together unsupervised during the early stages of introduction. In the event there is trouble or aggression among either pet, someone needs to be there to intervene and prevent a potential injury.

Be sure both dogs are leashed. After they become acquainted, you might want to place each in a separate crate at night or in a separate room until they get used to each other.

Forcing both dogs to share their food and toys could be potentially dangerous. Doing so may cause competition to claim dominance over belongings. You should also designate a separate area for each dog at mealtime if possible.

Your original canine companion may need a little extra attention and reassurance that he or she is not being relegated to the back burner in favor of the newcomer. Spend a little extra time with your established pet. This may make the transition to a multi-pet household easier to handle.

Once your existing pet shows tolerance and acceptance without any signs of aggression toward the new pup, reward him or her for good behavior. Pet the older dog and give him or her a treat. Rewards are a good way of reinforcing positive behavior.

Use these tips to safely bring home a second dog. Be sure to consult your veterinarian if you note any problems with your established dog, such as signs of depression or refusal to eat.