German Shepherd number 2

Question
Hi,

I've found a 6 month old German Shepherd bitch at a local rescue and have totally fallen for her. I have a 5 year old GSD bitch at home and the people at the rescue are aprehensive about rehoming her with another bitch. I think my current dog will be fine as she is basically a 5 year old puppy! My husband had two GSD bitches prior to our current one, and they got on fine in the same situation (a rescue bitch introduced into the current bitches home).
Do you think that it could work, or will there certainly be fights?

Answer
The key to most behavior problems is approaching things using the dog's natural instincts.  Dogs see all the people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in the pack and a top dog.  Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members outrank the 4 legged ones.  You can learn to play the role of top dog by reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with a treat. Start at http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/  For more on being top dog, see http://www.dogbreedinfo.com./topdogrules.htm

If both females have a high drive for dominance, expect trouble.  If either one was a lower ranking female in her litter, likely it will work out fine.  The better leadership you provide them, the less likely to be trouble.  

It can work.  My friend is a very strong leader.  She has 6 females in her house, 2 of which are breeding stock.  She won't tolerate trouble and all the dogs know it.