Bringing a Second Adult Dog Into the Home

Bringing a second dog to your home is a life-changing decision. Choosing an adult dog as your second pet has both advantages, as the dog usually is already trained, as well as disadvantages, because it may be difficult for it to accept the other canine. The ideal time to bring a second adult dog into your home is after the first one is fully integrated into your family, or after at least two years, according to Veterinary Partner.

Things You'll Need

  • Separate dog crates
  • Separate food bowls
  • Leashes
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Instructions

    • 1

      Train your first dog properly, and make sure it considers you as the leader of the pack. Before bringing home a second dog, you must be able to manage your first dog -- reducing any negative behaviors such as excessive barking, separation anxiety, digging or chewing. These behaviors may easily spread to the second dog, if not kept under control. Socialize the dog with others from an early age, and observe its behavior around other canines.

    • 2

      Choose a second dog of the opposite sex. According to Veterinary Partner website, same-sex dogs are less likely to get along, as one will tend to dominate the other -- creating a stressful environment and possibly traumatizing the more submissive pet. Get a second same-sex dog only if you are ready to put in additional effort into training them.

    • 3

      Introduce the two dogs in a neutral territory such as a park -- ideally before making a commitment to adopting the second dog -- to see how they get along. Keep both dogs on a leash, but keep it loose. Alternatively, have a chicken wire fence between the dogs. Monitor the body language of both dogs. Growling, snarling, staring and an elevated tail are signs of aggression. Once the dogs are calm, remove the fence or the leashes -- in an enclosed area -- and allow the dogs to interact for a few minutes.

    • 4

      Keep the dogs in separate crates or rooms at home, and allow them to interact only for short periods of time -- about 30 minutes per day. Monitor their interactions, and come between the pets if you see body language indicating aggression. If the dogs show signs of friendliness, such as wagging their tails or rolling on their backs while playing, increase the amount of time the dogs spend together each day.

    • 5

      Feed the dogs in separate rooms. Fights often occur over food, so prevent them by having separate food bowls. If giving treats to a dog, make sure the other is not present, or give both dogs treats.

    • 6

      Give time-out periods or verbal punishments such as ̶0;wrong,̶1; if either dog displays a negative behavior.

    • 7

      Don't give your dogs desirable toys while they are together, at first, because this can start a fight. Each dog can have its own toys in its crate.

    • 8

      Avoid tug war or wrestling games, which can lead to conflict.