Spike

Suggestions on bringing home a second dog

So we are about 90% certain at this point we want to get a second dog. A boxer, namely.
We currently have a 3 1/2 year old mutt (Spike). She is part whippett, part lab, I think.

Any suggestions to make this addition easier on her? I tried a second dog before, but that was over a year ago. She didn't really like him, but was never aggressive towards him in any way. Plus at that time, I was dating a guy with 2 dogs so there were always 4 around, which is a lot of dog. Now it will be 2 humans full time, and a 6 year old every other weekend. She loves other dogs in general.

The puppy will most definitely be neutered when he is ready and will be crate trained. Spike is allowed to be out when we aren't here, we just shut the doors to keep her out of trouble!

Spike can be food aggressive (she was abandoned before I got her, so I think it goes back there), so I was thinking they will need to be fed separately, especially at first to keep the peace, but not sure how exactly.


Asked by Spike on Sep 12th 2008 Tagged seconddog, aggression, puppy in Bringing Your Pet Home
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Sergeant

Make sure that your addition is a breed that will fit your family situation. Regardless of breed, dogs can and should get along, so that won't be an issue. When you first introduce the puppy, bring your current dog outside - a neutral area is best because the dog won't tend to be territorial and will be able to focus on being introduced. Never let them walk up toward one another face to face - let them sniff each other on their own. A puppy addition should be easy because most dogs are okay with puppies. You will need to make sure that the puppy doesn't harass your older dog and vice versa. They need to respect you and listen to you. Feeding together should not be an issue either. They don't need to stand right next to each other, but they should be able to eat at the same time. My wording is limited here - please message me so I can help you further. Let me know how you handle your dog's aggression and to what level it is.


Sergeant answered on 9/12/08. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 2 Report this answer


 ♥ Jack ♥

I have to agree with Sergeant. I added a puppy and did actually what Sergeant said we had no problems. As for feeding they are fed at the same time, they both know whose bowl is whose. If one dog is food aggressive you might need to feed them seperately. The one thing I did do was purchase new toys for the puppy Cotto and dog Jack. They had similar toys, as for bed since Jack already had a bed we purchased something similar for Cotto and put it next to the area where Jack slept. They have been inseperable ever since.


♥ Jack ♥ answered on 9/12/08. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Ace

I had the same worry when I brought home my puppy about 3 months ago. I was afraid my 5 year old would not go for it at all. Because he was a puppy, she took to him very well actually. Kind of like she took over the momma role for him. I didnt treat him any different than her, didnt do anything special, or anything like that, and she never got jealous. Maybe since this one is a pup she wont have to much of a problem with it now. Like you said, there were a lot of dogs there before and that could have been the problem. As for feeding them apart, that could lead to bigger problems when you try to put them together. Keep their bowls a safe distance, and watch them for the first week or so. As long as he doesnt go to her bowl, and she doesnt go to his, there shouldnt be a problem. Hope this helps.


Ace answered on 9/12/08. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Cookies 'n' Creme (1998-2011)

Have the dogs meet on neutral territory (like the park) first. Then perhaps have them walk (or ride) home together. The other dog should learn that he should never take anything away from Spike. Spike will teach him that himself, but you might want the new guy to know that you don't approve of it either.
If they fight, teach them to immediately stop on the cue "no!". I taught my dogs that by getting between them when they were fighting and saying "no!". Now, they back off when I say "no!".
Try to give them equal amounts of attention and if that doesn't work give the jealous one more attention that you give the other one.


Cookies 'n' Creme (1998-2011) answered on 9/12/08. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer