Upsetting the Apple Cart:
Adding a Second Dog

The following article has appeared on Purina's www.dogchow.com website and in a special issue of Pet Life magazine.
We thought it well worth repeating:

You're a loving dog owner. You have a cher ished dog who means the world to you. But like every good dog owner, you worry. You worry that per haps your dog's not as happy as he could be. You worry that he's lonely. You worry that he gets bored. You think that maybe by getting another dog you can make him happier. Or perhaps you're not worried about your dog. But into your life roams another dog, one who needs you. Should you add a dog to your household and risk upsetting the apple cart? Will a new dog mean twice as much happiness? An instant playmate? Or will it turn your dog's idyllic life upside down?

It's impossible to know the answers to these questions in advance. But by taking proper precautions and doing your homework, you can make the transition from a one-dog to a two-dog household easier for everyone involved.

First, make sure you're ready for a second dog. As wonderful as one dog is, two dogs are a lot more work. Twice the training and grooming, twice the food and supplies, twice the veterinary bills and boarding costs. Make sure you are strong enough to handle both dogs on leash and that your bank account can handle the added expenses.

And make sure you aren't seeking a second dog for the wrong reasons. Don't get a second dog to keep a first dog company because you don't have time for the first dog. If you don't have time for one, you surely won't have time for two. Another bad reason to get a second dog is to give the first dog exercise. "A second dog is not a substitute for sufficient outdoor exercise," says Robin Kovary, a New York City-based dog trainer and behaviorist and the director of the American Dog Trainers Network. "A second dog might make a great playmate, but both dogs will require daily exercise to keep them happy, healthy and well behaved."

Is your dog ready for a permanent playmate? Take a close look at his behavior. Be very aware of how he interacts with other dogs. Does he like to play? Is he properly socialized? Is he accepting of dogs in his own home? If the answers to these questions are all yes, your dog might be a good candidate for a new brother or sister.

On the other hand, if you and your dog are extremely close, he may have trouble sharing you. An aggressive or overly shy dog might be miserable with another dog around 24 hours a day. An elderly dog, who has been an "ony' dog all his life, might find a new dog upsetting.

"Your first dog should be obedience trained and fully housebroken before you bring in another dog," says Kovary. Take the time to modify any negative behavior your first dog might be exhibiting before you bring another dog in. Adding a second dog won't solve behavior problems; in fact, it might double them. "You wouldn't want your dog teaching a puppy a behavior that drives you nuts. Then you have two dogs doing it," says Charmaine Bebiak head trainer/behaviorist for the Ralston Purina Company.

Once you've decided to get another dog, how do you introduce the two to chart a smooth course for the road ahead? If possible, introduce the two dogs on neutral ground. This reduces the chance for territorial behavior on the part of your resident dog. Then just walk home together.

Bebiak favors keeping your resident dog off-leash during the introduction period. If neutral territory where your dog can be safely off-leash isn't available, she recommends introducing the dogs in your fenced yard. Put your resident dog in the yard, off-leash, and bring the new dog in, on-leash. Let them sniff and greet while you praise like crazy. As the leader ofthe pack you set the tone for the meeting. By keeping it upbeat, you can reassure your first dog that the newcomer is a very good thing.

Once their sniffs and explorations are over, bring the second dog in the house and put her in her crate. Let your resident dog come-in and see and smell her, safe in the knowledge that the new dog isn't taking over the house. A crate is an essential tool for helping separate the dogs, giving them their own space, and giving the first dog some time alone, by himself or with you.

Over the course of the next two to four weeks, bring the dogs together slowly, under supervision. "They will have a whole lifetime together, so why rush them?" says Bebiak.

Your primary dog should retain his primary status. He needs reassuring that his relationship with you hasn't changed. Feed him first, pet him first, give him treats first. Share some time alone together. Kovary suggests that when visitors come to your home or greet you on a walk, ask them to pet your first dog first. That will help keep him from feeling displaced.

However, if the second dog emerges as the dominant personality, don't try to change the natural order of things by favoring the first dog or reprimanding dominant (not violent) behavior. "Intervening only disturbs the natural balance," says Kovary. "You cannot make a dominant dog subordinate to a subordinate dog."

Watch for any sign of hostility and be cognizant of body language. Be very careful not to put them in situations that can stimulate an altercation over food, toys or even human family members. Feed the dogs separately, each with his own food bowl and water bowl. They should also each have their own bed, crate and toys. When you can't watch them together during those first few weeks -- even if you just leave the room to answer the phone -- keep them apart, using crates or baby gates.

Even with these precautions, you might see some brand-new behavior problems in your first dog. If he's feeling ignored, he may misbehave to get your attention. "They may act out as a way to say, 'are you still paying attention to me?"' says Bebiak. Soiling the house is not unusual for even the most faithfully housetrained dog. When Apollo, a Keeshond owned by Margo Mildvan of Salem, Connecticut, felt that his new sister Keesha was getting undue attention, he walked over and lifted his leg on Mildvan's coat. "Needless to say, my husband and I now make sure that both dogs get equal attention and love at all times," says Mildvan.

Such jealousy is natural and should dissipate with time, if you remember to give both dogs plenty of love and give them each some special "alone time" with you.

Two dogs are twice the love and twice the fun as one. But they're also twice the trouble. Think about eight muddy paws to wipe, rather than four. Twice the number of toenails to clip. Four ears to clean. And two leashes to tangle. But two dogs also mean two bellies to rub, two tongues to kiss you and four eyes to gaze at you lovingly.

Getting a second dog is a decision not to be taken lightly, one with a long-term impact on your family dynamics and your pocketbook. By planning ahead, making sure you and your dog are ready, and giving your dogs time and space in which to get to know one another, you can create an environment that will make the addition of a family member a positive experience for all.

By Janine Adams
Janine Adams is the author of How to Say It to Your Dog, How to Say It to Your Cat, 25 Stupid Mistakes Dog Owners Make, and You Can Talk to Your Animals: Animal Communicators Tell You How. She can be reached through her website, www.janineadams.com.

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