Multi Dog Household

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The Multi-Dog Household

Sometimes one is not enough! But if you are going to add another canine member to your household, there are some simple steps to be sure the new dog is a blessing rather than a problem.

Getting a Puppy

If you have an adult dog and want to add a puppy to the family, it is important to make the new addition a positive in the mind of the older dog. There are many benefits to getting a puppy when you already have a trained and well-mannered adult dog:

The puppy will learn the household routine from the older dog

The puppy will learn proper behavior from the older dog

The puppy will give the older dog “a job” to do

Bringing the puppy home

The biggest mistake most people make when they get a new puppy when there is an older resident dog is to upset the “pecking order” from the Adult dog’s point of view.

Be sure to do the following things:

1. Always greet the adult dog first, then greet the puppy

2. Feed the Adult dog first, then feed the puppy

3. Be sure to spend quality time with the Adult dog

4. Allow the Adult dog to “Discipline” the puppy if the puppy is being rambunctious…and adult dog will very rarely hurt a pup, although the puppy may disagree.

5. Don’t be over-protective of the puppy

6. Many people unintentionally create disruption with the introduction of a puppy because they upset the pack order.

Remember the puppy is the lowest ranking member of the pack.

Introducing another Adult Dog

Let the dogs meet on “neutral” territory.

Sniffing and posturing is normal, don’t be too quick to interfere

Be calm and confident; allow the resident dog to sniff the new dog

Don’t have both dogs on lead and put them nose-to-nose!

Have them side by side and go for a walk

Dog’s are tremendous “readers” of body language…if you are tense and nervous, they will be also.

After the walk, go into the house and introduce the new dog to his or her crate and bed

Give the Resident dog some attention so the new dog understands the pack rank (You, the other humans, the resident dog, then the new dog.)

With these simple steps, your new addition will quickly become a delightful member of the family!

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