How to Approach Adding a
Second Dog to Your Household
Jealousy
Don't force it
It takes time
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You've made the decision to become a multiple dog household, and
you've found the perfect puppy to add to your family. Now that the easy part of
the transition is behind you, it's time to bring home your new pet and introduce
him or her to the adult dog in your home.
Dogs who are accustomed to being the only family pet aren't always overjoyed to
have a new puppy enter their space. Older dogs who have never had to share their
position in the family tend to be rather jealous of the new addition at first.
However, if you're careful about how you handle the change, the two animals are
likely to become inseparable pals in no time at all.
Be Prepared for
Jealousy
Puppies tend to demand more hands-on care and attention than older dogs. One of
the best things you can do to keep your older dog from becoming resentful of the
newcomer is to pay equal attention to both animals. Make sure that you don't
decrease the amount of time you spend with your adult dog when you bring the
puppy home. It's important for you to demonstrate that the new dog isn't
replacing the old dog in your affections.
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Don't Force Sharing
Dogs tend to be very territorial creatures, and canines who aren't used to
sharing don't like to be forced to do so. To reduce the possibility of extended
animosity between the two animals, don't force your adult dog to share things
that have always belonged exclusively to him or her with the new puppy.
Make sure each animal has his or her own bed, food and water bowls, and play
things. Once the two bond, they will probably start sharing naturally. However,
if you force them to share before they get to know each other, you can cause
lifelong conflict between the two of them.
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Let Nature Take Its
Course
One of the best things you can do when introducing a new puppy to your long time
canine companion is to allow the animals time to get accustomed to one another.
When you give your two pets time to form their own relationship, it's very
likely that they will become play mates who enjoy each other's company as well
as the company of the human members of the household.
Even if your two dogs don't seem to take to each other at first, keep in mind
that dogs are pack animals by nature. In the natural order of things, dogs are
meant to be around other dogs. However, they are also creatures of habit, and it
takes time for them to get used to change. The best thing you can do is to stay
out of the way and let your canine companions establish the pecking order in
their new relationship
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