Adding A Second Dog To Family

[Roova]

Im sure this question has been asked before but I can't search on three letters or less so found 'adding second dog to family' didn't get me far!

I have been contemplating for a while adding a second dog to our family. I currently have an awesome Frenchie, Maggie who's two and has been on her own with us since she was eight months old.

She has quite a soft nature and is the easiest dog I've ever had to live with. She's definitely my dog, and mostly ignores my partner if Im around although she will play with him if he has the right toys :). Whatever Im doing she's always there and we have a great routine with lots of play, love and interaction time and I worry another dog would really put her nose out of joint.

I would like a second dog because Maggie can only walk so far and I worry about having her too far from home if she becomes too hot or is panting too much. I've been thinking of doing very basic agility or obedience and Maggie (God love her) is agile but is totally not interested in anything which requires too much brain work. :D

What is the best way to have a decent relationship with two dogs, especially if you're spending time doing one on one training with one of them?

How much does the relationship change when your first dog has another dog to spend all day with? I would hate to lose what I have with Maggie but understand some attention will be lost to a new playmate who can keep up when she's doing zoomies and wanting to play as dogs do.

The new member would be a puppy and Im thinking Border Terrier. Because Magie has such a soft nature I don't know if I have to stick with the male/female recommendation to avoid trouble (she's desexed if that makes any difference).

Im very much looking forward to getting some ideas on the best way to start everything out right if we do go ahead.

Edited January 16, 2013 by Roova

[Simply Grand]

D'oh I hit reply instead of edit. Stupid iPhone.

Edited January 16, 2013 by Simply Grand

[Simply Grand]

How is Maggie with other dogs generally? Have you had other dogs over to your house and how does she react to that?

My first dog Saxon was always relaxed about other dogs coming into "his" house and got along well with other dogs out and about so I suspected he would be ok with a second pup coming in, which he was. I didnt do anything special to introduce them, just brought Riley in and they were fine but if you were concerned you could intoduvce them on neutral territory and manage them getting to know each other more.

Like you say, Saxon did have to share some attention but we didn't lose our bond at all. I took them to training classes separately and did training sessions at home with each separately too, while the other was shut out of the room or leashed to the table, but you could crate the other one. I didn't make a fuss about leaving one at home while I took the other out and they are fine being together or apart now.

They have different personalities so I have a different relationship with each of them but they are both closely bonded with me and they both look to me as leader. My relationship with Saxon is sort of like he's the oldest child Because he's ahead training wise and is the most mature I sort of expect more from him and when we're at the park I don't watch him as closely but he also gets privileges the others don't like being off leash sometimes when they aren't, being fed separately so he doesnt have to rush to stop the others (i now have 3) stealing his food, staying on the bed with me when the others are kicked out for being annoying :laugh:

You're obviously close with Maggie and I don't think that will change. You'll probably appreciate her even more when you have a naughty puppy around!

[Guest donatella]

This is my experience going from 1 dog to 2.

Lucy (dog 1) was (and is) miss independent. Does/sleeps/eats/plays when she wants and how she wants when it suits her. If she wants cuddles she'll come to you, if she wants to sleep under the bed one day, then she'll do that too. She coped 100% fine being the only dog. Went through a naughty puppy stage which I thought may have been separation anxiety but she matured into a settled dog and I could come and go from the house without a problem.

I had always wanted 2 Pomeranians, in fact I think its downright criminal to stop at 1 (). I got dog 2 (Bonnie) when Lucy was 15 months. Bonnie is totally sweet natured. Her favourite spot is on someones lap being cuddled, she is a total lap dog, loves everyone and anyone and is a sweet little lady. She goes with the flow, she does what she's told, when she's told, how she's told.

Every since getting Bonnie, Lucy softened SO MUCH. She now wants cuddles all the time, she is taking to more people. Her and Bonnie also have a bond. Lucy is the boss but Bonnie loves her big sister and follows her everywhere, they play together, meal times are supervised but together. Training is quicker with the second as she watched Lucy, in fact Bonnie is now better then Lucy *rolls eyes*.

I think their personalities make them compatible. If Bonnie wasn't soft and sweet natured then I think i'd have 2 bitches on my hands. I originally wanted a boy and a girl but when I went to meet the little boy in the litter he was too busy humping his mum and chewing the carpet whereas little Bonnie crawled straight in my lap and wanted to be petted.

I love my girls, they are a force to be reckoned with :cool:

BOSTON TERRIER. I will be jealous, they are just beautiful and what a match for a Frenchie!!!!

[Alkhe]

I think you just have to look at it in a different way - it will definitely change your relationship with Maggie, but Maggie will change too, and that's perfectly natural.

I also have a Maggie, who I got at age 3, and who also has a very soft temperament. She was EXTREMELY timid when I first got her, but is now a completely different dog. When I had had her for about 18 months, I brought my 11 year old 'family dog' Mimi to live with us, from my mum's house. At first I was worried like you, because Maggie had been by herself and we had a perfect little routine going - it was just lovely. But I do think that having Mim around has brought her out of her shell, gives her much more confidence when we are out, and they both just seem to enjoy life so much more together.

It's one of those 'the sum is greater than the parts' situations, I think. For me and my dogs, anyway. Maggie is still my little girl, and Mim is still my old girl, and having them both here at once hasn't detracted from my relationship with either of them one bit. I appreciate them both in different ways, and no longer take certain things about each of them for granted.

My story won't be the same as everyone else's, and I'm sure some people regret getting another dog, as hard as that is to actually verbalise. But it doesn't always work out as perfectly, is what I mean. I really do think that one way to jinx it from the start is to worry about the negative impact though :)

[moosepup]

BOSTON TERRIER. I will be jealous, they are just beautiful and what a match for a Frenchie!!!!

Border Terrier. ;)

I'm watching this thread with interest as hoping to add a 3rd this year, it's been a while since I did intros!

[The Spotted Devil]

In considering what I wanted in a 2nd dog I also considered the needs of the other residents, including Mr TSD, Ziggy and the cats. I wanted a gundog with heaps of drive but it needed to be soft and pliable in the house for the cats and Mr TSD (Zig walked all over him :laugh:) Ziggy, as an entire male, just adores puppies and particularly the girls :p

Em fitted in beautifully - great off switch and sweet enough to get her own way with Mr TSD without it ever becoming an issue. Soft with the cats, Zig adores her and she's the perfect training partner for me. I have a different relationship with each dog - they have different strengths and weaknesses in training and I really appreciate them both as individuals. From the beginning they had training seperately and together. I would leave pup home to sleep or with Mr TSD and take Zig on a long walk. It makes it easy to separate now as necessary: I tell one "See you later" and they are on the couch asleep whilst the other is bouncing at the door raring to go walking or training.

[Simply Grand]

Well MP, if it helps I took the same approach with number 3 as I did with number 2, chucked her in and assumed it would work out :laugh:

Going from 2 to 3 had a bigger impact than 1 to 2 and Quinn gets bored and distructive when left alone more than the other 2 but I think alot of her ability to cause more problems comes from her size (not that she's huge, just going from small to medium changes everything). Are you planning another little one or a bigger one?

I do sort of feel like going from 1 to 2 you're still a person with dogs, more than that means the dogs rule your life :laugh:

[Roova]

Thanks for your answers and suggestions. It's good to read what others have done. :)

Re

“How is Maggie with other dogs generally? Have you had other dogs over to your house and how does she react to that?”

She has quite a bit of interaction with my sisters two dogs which come to our house and we go to theirs. They’re two medium sizes dogs, one older one younger. They’re like yoyos on strings while she is very calm and placid. She often initiates play with the younger dog but I find if I try to play or pat them for too long she’ll get in between us and head them off. She normally wouldn’t crawl into my lap but if I’m on the ground to play with them she will. I guess it’s her way of saying ‘she’s mine!’. She often spends quite a bit of time staring inside at me while we’re at my sister’s though!

Sadly no other friends have dogs (crazy right!) so I don’t have a real lot to compare to.

If we’re out the front of our yard collecting mail etc and she sees another dog at the end of the street her whole focus is on them and she often kicks grass out with both back feet putting on quite the show. I’m sure if the other dog approached she’d be back inside like a shot.

We sometimes go to local parks (not contained dog parks) where there are always a few people with dogs off lead (she’s not). She’ll mostly ignore other dogs but if larger ones come near she’s quite wary. If I’m sitting on the ground with my knees bent she’ll sometimes get under my legs and rush other dogs who come close and retreat under my legs again. All done like a silent ninja! Im never quite sure how to treat this behaviour and I would have liked to have socialised her more but I didn’t want to frighten her with dogs I didn’t know the nature of. I’ve read some horror stories on DOL!

From time to time she’s stayed with her (awesome) breeder while I’ve been on holidays. She has a small pack and Maggie does fabulously with them. She’s definitely a lot more confident with smaller dogs.

I presume jealousy between existing dog and new dog is eased after a friendship forms? I imagine there’s the possibility the dogs just won’t get along but I’m really hoping that’s unusual more than usual.

Reading that back she sounds like a terror, but she really is a lovely little dog.

This is her (first photo of her on her second birthday, slobber from treats and all..)

[Simply Grand]

Oh she's a little cuteness!! I don't think she sounds like a terror at all.

From what you've said I think she would be ok with a new puppy coming in, I'd maybe ask the breeder for a laid back type of pup who isn't timid but isn't pushy either, so Maggie can set the pace for how she wants to interact. Then you need to be the boss so she doesn't get pushy or feel scared! Not as hard as it sounds, training, NILIF, boundaries etc should work :)

Most importantly be confident that it will work and you can handle it, and be relaxed around the dogs, you'll be fine! Like they say prepare for the worst, expect the best! (maybe they don't say that but I do :laugh: )

[rubiton]

Also take note if your dog tends to be dominant or submissive in meeting other dogs as if your current dog tends to be the dominant one you need to look for a more submissive personality in the new dog. They will sort out who is the boss themselves and if it happens to be the new dog remember you have to enforce what they work out.

When we added a second dog we did find one that was younger and he knows he is bottom ofthe pile but will try to push the boundaries sometimes and needs to be reminded of his place. The may be more likely to have squabbles in the short term if they are evenly matched - remember dogs have a hierachy they cannot be of a level standing. You even have to wagtch for small things like our young dog always charges over if he sees you patting the older dog. If he remembers his place he will sit and wait for his turn but sometimes he will try to barge in and push her out of the way ( he may try but gets corrected to wait his turn and when it is his turn for pats you also have to remember to be fair with the attention too)

You also have to make time for each dog away from the other as well.

[The Spotted Devil]

Ain't she sweet!

Funny how dogs adjust their playing style too. Zig plays with female Dallies on his hind legs - lots of noise and it's rather crazy. When Em was a pup he would just lie on the deck whilst she jumped on his head and used his ears as tug toys. As she grew up the play style developed and they would wrestle on their back legs with lots of teeth. Em played quite differently with the Springer pup I had staying recently (lots of low wrestling and waiting for pup to zoom past before leaping at him :laugh: ) But she never plays with other dogs like she does with Zig and Barkley.

In terms of "jealousy" I've never had a problem, even with the male pup that Zig wasn't overly fond of (because he's a boy!) At the end of the day I dish out everything the dogs value - food, treats, attention, play and exercise. They're too busy concentrating on HOW to earn the reward to be bothered arguing about it. However, puppies can be darn annoying before they learn some manners so I would remove old bones etc (or the pup) if the adult was being harassed. Zig would grump at Em but she would flip on her back and, whilst he was having a sniff, she'd grab the toy or bone and bolt

Simply Grand - your comment about 2 dogs vs 3 made me laugh :D

Edited January 16, 2013 by The Spotted Devil

[julesluvscavs]

Awwww shes gorgeous !!

We are about to add a third (a puppy) to our family. I anticipate no real problems, as cavs usually get along pretty well. We had a foster dog at one stage and they got along well with her, if anything she was the dominant one.

I think you are supposed to feed the dogs you have already first to keep the pack pattern or something I was told.

I saw a cute funny Frenchie pic on fb, I will share it in here. Its one of those fwd sharing ones getting around. Im sure you will appreciate it :)

Edited January 16, 2013 by Jules♥Cavs

[poochmad]

When we were looking at adding to our family, the best advice I got from breeders was to get a dog of similar temperament. I learnt the hard way when I ignored that and ended up with a rescue, who was very cute, but very dominate and caused a lot of stress. Luckily it was a trial, so he went back and we ended up with another Field who is bossy, but lovely.

ETA: Maggie is gorgeous. They are on my wish list. :)

Edited January 17, 2013 by poochmad

[Roova]

That is a cute picture! Maggie loves her soft toys although they don't last long....she loves going straight for the guts and with the amount of stuffing I pick up over the yard and inside I could have made a doona!

Sorry but I have another question. Maggie sleeps in the laundry in a large covered but open crate at night and has a few dog beds scattered in the house for other times. She also has a largish soft crate and an open bed outside as she's not inside when we're not at home.

Is it be recommended to keep pup totally separated from exising dog at night considering they're both unsupervised? If they choose to sleep together do you just let it be? Pup would be kept separated outside until its safe to be with Maggie unsupervised. I imagine that means crates each and extra dog beds so there's no squabbles?

How do people cope when they have more than two dogs with all the dog beds, blankets, washing etc involved? My hat goes off to you!

[Simply Grand]

Mine tend to share and swap around sleeping spots. They sleep in my room and the older one has graduated to my bed and the new pup went in a crate in my room until they could reliably go all night without toileting.

In your case I'd probably crate the puppy in a different room at first, and like you said keep them apart outside when unsupervised until you're comfortable that they are fine together.

It will depend alot on the relationship between the two individual dogs, size difference, play styles etc. how you'll need to manage them but with any luck they'll be happy to share beds or to sort out who sleeps where amongst themselves :)

[Simply Grand]

Oh and the washing, yep it's pretty constant :laugh: I just have several cheap dog beds and lots of towels, rugs and old sheets that I rotate around spots on the floor, couches and bed then chuck in the wash when they get dirty or smelly.

I have become less house proud with each addition