Mary Allen
We live in a time where multiple dog ownership is on the rise. Everything is going well with the first dog and the thought of giving the beloved four-legged friend a conspecific is growing. If you want to try the second-dog experiment, you should ask yourself a few questions beforehand, so that the “new” one works really well. After all, the second dog should also be an enrichment for the entire household.
Requirements for a Second Dog
Your first dog should be socially compatible. But what does that mean now? If your dog gets along well with his peers in the dog park, in dog school, or in everyday life, that does not mean that he will tolerate a conspecific in his home in the long term. Here you should consider the social bond between you and your dog. What role does the dog play in your life? Is he a partner, child substitute, or friend for you? Maybe you’re thinking now, what does that have to do with a second dog? Quite a lot, because the more intimate a relationship is, the more difficult it can be for the “new” person to be accepted. Three could then be one too many.
The subject of jealousy and resources could creep in and that can end with ugly conflicts. How does your current dog deal with basic things like food, water, resting places, a garden, or toys? Does he defend them from humans or conspecifics? There is a likelihood that there will be conflicts. This doesn’t mean that a second dog is impossible, but it does show you that you need to do more management here. You should ensure that both your first dog can use its resources stress-free and that the new dog buddy can exercise its rights, such as eating, without worrying about your first dog.
A new member in an existing social group requires a reorientation of everyday life and position within the family. However, since the human “idea of justice” is foreign to the dog, such as: “The other came first, so he has different rights than the new one”, this means that the “new one” does not automatically put his needs aside. When one speaks of adaptation, it means that the needs of the dog and the external stimuli are oriented and structured on a daily basis, resulting in behavioral expressions. To put it very simply: If dog A learns that dog B’s bone is important and that he wants it, but dog A’s bone is not that important, he will probably leave it to dog B in a relaxed manner. Dogs learn that very quickly. However, this will have different outcomes in every situation and with every new resource.
What age Should the New Four-Legged Friend Be?
If you want to get an adult dog as a second dog, it is an advantage if there is information about the previous biography. This will allow you to assess whether your lifestyle will suit the dog you are considering.
You can do dog walks together to see if the chemistry is right. If possible, several at different times. Every dog (and human) has different daily forms that depend on mood, stress levels, and weather conditions.
Should it be a Puppy?
Perhaps you have considered that it should be a puppy?
Puppies really mess up everyday life – which is of course a lot of fun, but also often involves more work, as they have more ideas than an adult dog. Ritualized daily routines often change abruptly and the usual rest and sleep times can also be over. A puppy requires a lot of attention and training. A balancing act can arise, because your first one may also raise the previous claim to the usual togetherness. The organization is required here.
What is the status of your first dog’s education? Can a puppy copy patterns of behavior that you have wanted to break your dog for a long time? Dogs also learn through imitation. It makes a difference whether one dog jumps at you to greet you or two.
Create Optimal Conditions for Positive Adaptation
If you have chosen a candidate and he is described as friendly and sociable with people and dogs, this does not automatically mean that he will show the same behavioral pattern as you in the long term. Behavior is adapted to the respective environment. A dog changes fundamentally when it leaves its familiar environment over the long term and learns something new. Of course, it is a good prerequisite if he has had great and good experiences before and this is reflected in his behavior. With the new constellation, you should just make sure that it stays that way. Introducing new rules immediately makes sense, as consistent implementation will relax and support you in dealing with your dog.
It can be positive if the new home offers recognition values for the dog: For example, if the previous owners liked to do sports with their dogs and you may have similar interests. Or the dog has already learned to stay alone because it is a requirement for you, for example, because you cannot take it to work.
Also, please do not make the decision to get a second dog because your first dog cannot be left alone. Here you should first find out the emotion of the dog as well as the reason for not staying alone. In some cases, it can happen that the plan backfires and both dogs are not left alone. A behavioral consultant should definitely be consulted here and staying alone should be trained before the new dog moves in.