More and more dog owners believe if one dog is fun and makes them happy, possibly two would be better. Most dogs enrich people抯 life. So why not bring another into your life.
There are 3 things to consider when bringing a second or third dog into your life.
1. Getting the Right Mix
2. Size and Breed
3. Your current dogs role
There are very few dogs that are unable to live with another member of their species. What type of pooch partner will best suit your current dog?
1. Getting the Right Mix
Obviously the most important factor is how well the dogs will get along. If you mix 2 confident and dominant dogs of the same sex they will not get along very well. This means there is a higher probability there will be some conflict. However, a more dominant dog will show great tolerance toward a dog that is immediately submissive toward it. Even dogs of the same sex can get along well once they sort out which one is dominant. Until the role is determined, conflicts may arise.
2. Size and Breed
The size or breed of the dog does not determine what order in the hierarchy it will assume. There are many little dogs that can and will play with much larger dogs. There are also larger dog breeds that will lower themselves down to a smaller dog抯 level to play with them. Again, the dominant role must be established. If you have a second or third dog that is the same breed as the first they will usually have the same activity level and exercise needs. This will help you determine that dogs type and behavior since you already have one. There is no guarantee that once the dogs are brought together they will play happily together.
3. Your current dogs role
No matter how old your dog is, if your current dog is experienced, well behaved and sure of himself, he or she will most likely welcome a shy or insecure new dog. Your dog will feel like a hero, a role model if you will. The original dog feels like they have to maintain their position in the family. In fact they may become more active and participate more in family life. They may also develop paternal feelings that help bring up the new dog, or pup. If your dog is not well behaved and not well established you may want to think twice about bringing in dog number 2. If you feel your senior dog may be overwhelmed by the presence of another dog, you may want to reconsider. Or at least choose a dog that is older and calmer, and wouldn抰 have any trouble being submissive to your original dog.
In any case your dog should possess good obedience skills and its dog trainingshould at least be reliable. It also should have passed through the early stages of development. There are many people who have 2 or more dogs, and they adjust just fine. The ideal dog pairing can only be decided on a case by case basis.
