If one dog is good, two must be better. To some dog lovers that seems like it should be true, but the reality is, bringing a second dog into a home can create problems. What to do…

YOUR CURRENT DOG

Two questions to answer about your current dog before adding a second dog—does my dog generally play well with other dogs?…does my dog react well when another dog enters the house?

If the answer to either question is no, think twice about bringing a second dog into your home. If your heart is set on a second dog, you may need to hire a professional trainer.

YOUR SECOND DOG

It’s best to select a second dog that will be no more than 35 pounds heavier or lighter than your current dog when both are fully grown. If the size differential is greater, the larger dog might chase down and harm the smaller dog—even if the dogs generally get along well. Seeing a small animal dash by can trigger a larger dog’s natural hunting instinct, a phenomenon called “predatory drift.”

Age differences between the dogs is not necessarily a problem, although some older dogs are unhappy about sharing a home with an energetic younger dog that always wants to play. It also can be a mistake to bring two puppies into the home at the same time. When dogs grow up together, they often bond very closely with each other, to the exclusion of close relationships with the humans.

BRINGING THE DOGS TOGETHER

The dogs’ first meeting should be outdoors in a fenced-in area that is not your own yard, and you should have help from another person. If the meeting is on your property, your first dog might aggressively defend its territory against the newcomer. Exercise both dogs separately prior to this meeting to burn off energy.

Position one dog (it doesn’t matter which one) on its leash at one side of this fenced-in area while the second dog enters from the other side, also on a leash. Slowly walk the dogs toward each other. If both dogs appear happy, continue walking until you are about six feet apart, then drop both leashes (but don’t take the leashes off—you might need to grab them if a fight develops).

Call off the meeting immediately if either dog becomes aggressive (growling or snarling)…very tense (rigid body, fixed stare)…or very fearful (such as hiding behind your legs).

If the initial meeting fails, take the dogs on a long walk, where they walk the same route at the same time but with their leashes held by different handlers. The handlers should be in the middle and the dogs on the outside. Repeat the introduction described above immediately after the walk. If the dogs still don’t get along, you might need to hire a dog trainer.

If the dogs get along, let them interact until their excitement dies down, then take them home. Keep them on leashes inside for a few minutes until you’re sure that the change of venue has not upset either dog.

For the first month, separate the dogs in different rooms or crates when you’re not home. Also take precautions to avoid fights at feeding time—a common conflict in two-dog homes. Place the dogs’ bowls in separate rooms or on opposite sides of the room while you remain in the middle.

Related Articles