Thinking about Adding a Second Dog? How to Do It Successfully

This post is for you if you’re thinking of adding to your pup family.  You already have a dog and now, you’re thinking of adding a second dog.  But should you?  Are you really ready for another dog?

Let’s see.

Coming from a multiple dog family for over 20 years, starting with one, then 2, then three and finally adding a fourth, I can speak from plenty of experience.  Plus, I’m a one-person household, so I know the daily rigors of caring for multiple pups, a house, and a full-time job.

But let’s talk about you.  Getting a second dog is going to depend on two factors:

1. You – as in do you, and if you have a family, have the time for another dog, and can afford a second pup; and
2. Your own pup and its personality (notice that I didn’t include age.)

Factor #1

I’ve found that through the years of knowing people who have more than one dog, the reasons for getting that 2^nd or 3^rd or like me, that 4^th dog, are mostly based on the heart and emotion.

Now that you’ve decided in your mind that you’d like a second dog, keep in mind the additional costs in owning the second pup. With a second pup, there are no hand-me-downs.  What you bought for the first pup – leash, collar, tags, harness, bowl, sweater, etc. – you’ll have to buy all over again, including possibly a larger crate for both pups, or, a second dog bed. Food costs will increase, vet costs (you could potentially be looking at spay/neuter costs) as well as daycare, grooming if you use them.  If you have pet insurance, that’s a second premium. There’s also training costs to polish up some manners if you’re bringing in an adult dog, or a full training program if you’ve adopted a puppy.

In summary, if you decide to bring a second dog into your life, your family, and if you love dogs as much as I do, despite the costs, you’ll find a way to make it work.

Factor #2

The factor that could probably be even more important in your decision to bring another pup into your home is … your own pup, the one who has you to him or herself, who reigns supreme in your house.  How will your dog adjust to another dog in the house, be it puppy or adult.

Again, speaking from personal experience, having brought in adult dogs and puppies into a home with other puppies, other adult dogs, including seniors, the keys are 1) the temperament of your dog(s) and the new dog, 2) how you introduce your dogs to each other, and 3) your role as the leader of the pack.  Now let’s go through each one.

Temperament

Dogs are very similar to humans in that they all have distinct personalities. Your dog’s personality is framed through genetics but also through its environment, from how it was handled and socialized from the time it was a puppy, to living in your home and interacting with you right now. There are certain behaviors you will tolerate and certain behaviors you won’t. And how you address or not address these behaviors will set the stage for when you bring another pup into your home, and if you have a successful outcome.  Keep in mind that dogs are pack animals. There is a hierarchy among them. Even if only two dogs.

How You Introduce Your Dogs

Second important point, how you introduce your new dog to your current dog is crucial. Most professional trainers will tell you to introduce dogs on neutral territory, and from my experience I certainly agree with that. I refer you back to Point 1, knowing and understanding your dog’s personality.  Czarina, my German Shepherd, was the pup pack leader. She was the pup whose instincts I trusted before I formally adopted Olympia, Noel, Allegra and Nabucco. As she met each pup, I watched her eyes and body language. She was the stamp of approval, and sometimes, she did not always give that stamp of approval. Just as we humans have instincts when meeting other people, so do dogs when meeting other dogs. Pay attention to that. Whether you are adopting from a shelter, a rescue or a breeder, make sure you take your dog with you to a meet and greet.  You want to set both dogs up for success as well as yourself.  I turned down potential adoptions based on Czarina’s reaction. 

Your Role as Pack Leader

As leader of the pack, you are setting the stage in your home for how your new pup and existing pup interact. While you want to make your new pup to feel welcome and get acclimated, there’s an equal amount or even more attention that should be paid to your present pup so that he or she doesn’t feel forgotten or loved less. The more that you can maintain the same routine around your household, the better. Let your new pup acclimate on its own time and in its own way, the same with your current dog. But remember, dogs watch you. If you pet one, you have to pet the other. If you treat one, you treat the other, and so on.

But whether you’re bringing in a new puppy or adult dog, you should be present to supervise for the first few days.  Again, your pups must know what behaviors are acceptable and which aren’t.  You don’t have to hover constantly, remember that there’s a pack pecking order, and each dog needs to find its place, even if there are only two dogs. Olympia accepted Czarina as the boss, but there was sure blowback from her when Czarina got too bossy.

So is a second dog right for you at this time. Some people may say to you, you have a happy family, don’t upset the applecart. And that certainly can be true. Remember to think about this very carefully, because to bring home a pup with good intentions, only to discover weeks later that the extra work, or the pups not getting along, results in your returning the dog to the shelter, the rescue or the breeder, is an emotional, heartbreaking upheaval for the pup, as well as stress for you and others.