A friend for my dog - what's the problem

A friend for my dog.

People often think that the incumbent dog in the household will welcome a new dog into the family home, and many dogs do. But one should not expect or think that it will all be plain sailing. All sorts of problems could occur that were unexpected.

If you are thinking of getting a second dog and you think it will be good company for your dog, think again, before blindly making that decision. These are some of the things to think about -

• Not all dogs want to share the home or the family

• Not all dogs get on with one and other

• Mixing two dogs of the same gender can cause conflict

• Mixing dogs of different gender may lead to unwanted puppies if one is not neutered

• It can be harder to control two dogs together; it may be more than double trouble

• It can be harder to train two dogs at the same time, it’s best to train them individually first

• If the two dogs form a strong bond, they may listen to the owner less and to each other more

• If the two dogs form a strong bond and become separated, they can suffer separation anxiety

If you have already made the decision to have a second dog, these are some suggestions to help things start off smoothly –

• Have separate sleeping areas for the dogs, certainly to begin with.

• Feed the dogs in separate areas to prevent either one eating the other’s food and there potentially being a fight

• Train each dog separately whilst you embed the foundation of training and teach the dogs to listen to you

• Beware of giving attention to both dogs at the same time, it can cause competition and conflict.

  
  

Once you are the strongest influence over both dogs and have learnt about how they relate to each other, then you might review the living arrangements, so they continue to co-habit harmoniously.

If you do encounter problems and you are unsure how to deal with them, do get in touch and we can find a way to help resolve it.