“I so enjoy life with you,” says the husband to his wife, “that I’ve decided to get another wife too. You’re going to be such friends!”
Think that will go down well? Well, who knows - there could be occasions where it would. But more often there’s going to be shock and dismay, seething resentment, and possibly worse.
So when you decide that having a dog is such fun that you want to get another, think hard beforehand!
After will be too late.
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I’ve had a multi-dog household for many years. I’ve seen dogs absolutely delighted with “their” new puppy. They love it and mother it from the start. Marauding dogs in the park had better not get near their baby!
But far more often introductions have had to be slow and low-key.
Always remember that your dog didn’t choose to have a puppy - you did.
So you must cause as little disruption to your adult dog’s life as possible. (I say “adult” advisedly. Do NOT get another puppy if your puppy is still .. a puppy. More about that here)
From the very start demonstrate to your dog that the puppy takes second place, and is your own responsibility, not his.
That means:
• Solo walks for both pup and dog
• Separate sleeping arrangements, separate crates, maybe separate rooms
• Separate feeding (essential to start with as the pup will be on four meals a day to your older dog’s one)
• Very limited playtime together (two minutes? maybe five?) and always actively supervised
• Special training/cuddle/play times for your older dog when pup is asleep
• Adequate sleep for both
• Zero pestering allowed from pup to adult
I go into more detail on all of this in this post.
If you’re thinking about adding to your doggy family, consider the implications of the list above. You can’t get a new pup and chuck it in with your other dog and expect everything to go well! It is often many months before your adult even accepts the youngster - never mind befriends her.
Don’t underestimate the time this will take!
You’ll need to devote a huge amount of time to this. Constant surveillance, separate walks .. It takes dedication to follow through and do this right.
People are sometimes aggrieved when I shatter their vision of their two dogs endlessly wrestling on the floor, wearing themselves out so that walking them isn’t thought necessary. Are you sure you’re not thinking a little along these lines? That the puppy will exercise and amuse your older dog for you? Are you sure?
But think of the outcome of allowing this. The puppy will learn no self-control, no respect for other dogs. He’ll think that all dogs - and maybe people and children too - are his playthings, for him to rag and chew to his puppy-heart’s content.
The older dog will be driven quietly mad at a time when he may be expecting more calm in his life. This could end up with snarls and trouble.
Two youngsters?
If your older dog is still very young himself, be sure to check out this post and think of the natural result of two young dogs finding everything they need in each other and not in you. As a dog trainer I often have to re-educate such dog-owners and show them how they can turn the situation round. It’s not so easy, once these behaviours are established - but it is possible.
Once you’ve got over the first few months though - and if you do it right - you’ll have two dogs who are firm friends and companions, but who always look to you first. Perfect!
Observing the difference in their individual characters will be endlessly entertaining, walks will be double the fun. Your understanding of your canine friends will deepen, you’ll respect the personal wishes of each dog, and all your lives will be the richer for it.
But it comes at a price. Is this a price you’re willing to pay?