Do's and Dont's About Bringing a Second Adult Dog Home

By adding a new dog to your family, you can provide your existing pet a canine companion to play and spend time with. For dogs, first impressions are important in fostering a loving relationship between the two canines. Take introductions slowly, ensuring both dogs receive plenty of loving attention and care from you and your family.

  1. Health

    • Before bringing home a new dog, ensure both the new dog and your existing dog are vaccinated against rabies, parvovirus, distemper and canine hepatitis. These are core vaccines recommended by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. You should also treat both dogs with a spot-on treatment for fleas to prevent either dog from spreading these parasites in your home or to each other. Have the new dog receive an exam from a veterinarian to ensure it is free of any diseases that could be transmitted to your existing dog.

    Introductions

    • Introduce your existing dog to your new dog in a neutral location such as a dog park or at another outdoor location you do not frequent with your existing dog. Some shelters will allow you, or even require you, to introduce your existing dog to the dog you are adopting at the shelter facility. A neutral location prevents territorial issues from arising during the meeting. Keep each dog on a loose leash and have another person handle the new dog during the meeting. Allow the dogs to smell each other briefly before any aggressive behaviors erupt and use verbal and food rewards to praise the dogs.

    Positive Interactions

    • Keep all interactions between the dogs positive with your behavior, mannerisms, tone of voice and the use of food or play rewards. If you are nervous, both dogs may sense this and it can lead to aggressive behavior, something you want to avoid. For the first few weeks at home, separate the two dogs, giving each its own space, food and water dishes, toys and a comfortable bed; this prevents fights over resources, the ASPCA says. Supervise all initial interactions in the home, keeping both dogs on a leash until you do not see any aggressive actions by either dog such as growling, teeth-baring and prolonged staring.

    Acclimation

    • As the dogs get used to each other's presence in the home, spend 10 to 15 minutes each day alone with each dog to ensure that the dogs do not become jealous of the presence of each other, recommends the Partnership for Animal Welfare. During the time when the dogs spend time together, engage them in fun activities such as play or exercise and give each of them treats for good behavior. If you notice any signs of aggression that could escalate into violence, distract the dogs with the loud noise of a whistle and redirect their attention to another location or activity. Within a few months, the dogs should acclimate to each other's presence and get along.