Thinking of a second dog

[Looloolullabelle]

I have a 4 year old female poodle cross. We were first time dog owners when we got her as a puppy 4 years ago. She is our world and we adore her. She’s an amazing little dog who lit up our lives.

Id love a second dog for company for her but my husband is on the fence.

Basically I’ve found a dog in a local shelter very similar to our current dog. She is a 9 month old poodle cross who is looking for a home with an older dog to “show her the way”.

Id love to give this dog a home but I’m worried about our current dog. She loves other dogs and loves to play when we’re around other dogs, especially when she sees ones who are a similar breed. She’s very sociable, but I worry what she’d be like sharing a home with one. She obviously gets loads of fuss and attention and loves being on one of our laps.

What are everyone else’s experiences of introducing a second dog, has anyone encountered any problems? Are female dogs happy to share homes with other female dogs? Im just looking for any advice or is there anything else I need to consider?

Thanks for any help you can give x

How does current dog act when other dogs are in her house?

Mine is happy for a bit then hides under the stairs. She doesn't like competition and is a happy only dog.

We brought a similar sounding needy dog in and it didn't go well. Existing dog ignored the new dog, new dog was desperate for love and attention and got none from existing dog. It was sad.

I'm afraid I don't have any experience of poodles, but I did adopt a second greyhound and they get on really well. They charge around the garden like a pair of loopy, skinny horses when they're playing 😁

If you adopt a rescue, they introduce them and you can take your time - they are usually really helpful and want everything to work out in the dogs best interests.

Oh no, NeedForSpeed, I'm so sorry things went wrong 😢

We’ve never had any other dogs in the house before so I’m not sure. I’m half tempted to see if I can borrow someone’s dog for a few hours 🤣

Shes great in other people houses where there are dogs but I realise that’s not her territory so it’s not the same.

I am biased, because I am lucky enough to have a lot of dogs. I’ve never had any major issues with introducing new dogs (my lot literally roll their eyes and shuffle up to make room on the couch 🤣) But, if you are concerned, do a meet and greet with your dog and the potential new friend. Any decent rescue will insist on this anyway.

Most of mine are female and we don’t have any problems. I have one who needs to be fed separately but other than that, no issues. And they actually bond really well and are very happy to be together. We have loads of dog beds and space but more often than not they choose to pile in together.

If the meet and greet goes well, my advice for the day you bring the new dog home would be to introduce them on neutral ground. Away from your house and garden, not on a walk your dog knows. But of a sniff of each other then 20 minutes lead walk, side by side.
Then, into the house. Remove anything of high value (treats/ toys) that they might squabble over. And that may include the couch, the cooker or you. It will all settle in time.

Feed separately initially, until you know what’s what and do not give long lasting, high value treats. The only fight I have ever had was when I gave them all an antler horn 🤦‍♀️ Dear god, it was a total disaster. Everyone wanted everyone else’s, WW3 broke out and I had to step in, which is the only time in 25+ years I’ve had to do that! So, all treats are one mouthful until you know they can share.

I actually find two easier than one, they play together, keep each other entertained when I’m busy, generally are good pals and have a good bond. Good luck!

I'd want to borrow a friends dog for a full weekend to understand it tbh. A couple of hours doesn't tell you much unless it goes wrong....

Don't get me wrong, it wasn't horrendous - existing dog tolerated new dog, but the new dog was such a sad rescue dog who was so desperate to play and have fun, cuddle up for warmth and company, generally learn how to be a pet dog instead of a terrified dog locked in a cage (her background) and existing dog completely ignored her all the time. We would never get rid of a dog unless it was a dangerous situation, but sadly we lost new dog to sudden liver failure about two years after she came home to us. Existing dog will remain an only as she's shown us she prefers it.

Existing dog has spent lots of time with friends and family dogs in the home, and will play with them for a bit but then when she realises they are sticking around for more than a cup of tea she withdraws and ignores the visiting dog. We've had dogs stay for a week+ when people have been on holiday or in hospital, and there's only been one she was happy to have here 24/7 and he didn't want to leave either :-D

In short, it could be down to personality, but not all dogs choose to be pack animals so it's worth understanding whether your dog will be jealous or welcoming before bringing an already traumatised animal into the home. Use every meet and greet opportunity with them - we did two, but the new dog was a very traumatised dog and it took her months to calm down enough to see her full personality shine through (god I miss that dog) and we didn't expect the two of them to be so different.

My mate has two dogs - a grumpy old man who is a small cross of some sort and a mental cockerpoo bitch who is only just about 2 now and he loathes her. She also made the mistake of not considering the older dog's needs when choosing a second dog and they are a terrible match with one another. He spends half the time growling at her because she can't read the room and has spend the last 20 months torturing him tbh.

It really depends on the personalities of the dogs concerned. I've had it go both ways.
I had a dog that loved every dog he met and wanted to play with them all. I introduced a second dog and he hated her. I had to keep them separated for the first three months. He was very hot and cold with her throughout their lives together.
When the first dog died, the second dog was an only dog for 10 months. I then added a puppy, followed by a 9 year old two months later. These three all get along together.
I don't know if you can tell how it will go before you try it. Especially since it can take months for a rescue dog's true personality to come out. I would say make sure you are adding a second dog for you and not just for your dog.

In my experience, rescues are used to being around other dogs and won't make a big deal of having to share their space (unless there's some trauma). Dogs raised from a puppy as the family dog just aren't socialised that way, so there's usually some jealousy and lots of territorial prancing.
I would consider inviting someone with a dog for an overnight stay if I were you, see how your dog behaves. Mine is chilled and playful when meeting other dogs outside, and the garden is fine for doggy guests, but he absolutely lost it when another dog laid down in his bed. The other dog was his best friend, he adores her, will even share food with her, and yet.

I had one very friendly boisterous male poodle cross. Loved other dogs so introducing the new puppy wasn’t a big deal. The new pup didn’t learn a thing from the older dog though! Younger dog was also not a rough and tumble playmate but they got on fine. But now my older dog has passed on and I know my younger (though now 13) would not welcome another dog. She’s not playful, is only mildly interested in other dogs on walks and gets jealous if I hug my kids! You really just have to look at their personality.

We had usually had two dogs. One first, then a second. We had a gap with only one when the first died and so on for 35 years. It always went smoothly. A couple of years ago we decided it was time to get a second dog again and got the most beautiful lurcher pup from our local rescue. They got on beautifully to start with, but it descended into chaos. Despite lots of support from the shelter, our vet and a well respected behaviourist we just couldn't make it work. DH was working at home at the time and it affected his MH badly. The shelter took him back and he now lives as a single with a new family. It broke our hearts and I don't think we will ever have two again.

I've always had two dogs and they are great company for one another. I work outside of the house for 4hrs a day, and they just snuggle together on the sofa.

The only 'problem' I've found is that they egg each other on. One barks at naff all, the other will join in

We have two dogs. At first they didn’t get on well when I brought second dog home (puppy) but they absolutely do now she is 10 months old 🙂 They’re great company for each other, and have got good boundaries too.

I would read ‘show her the way,’ as code for she has no dog/dog manners, is pushy and forceful in her engagements and may well dominate an existing dog. So, if your current dog is a bit submissive or even just a bit nervous or unlikely to put up a fight, you should be prepared for either some quite forceful input from your side to sort it out or either some nasty fights.

I won’t sell bitches to home with existing bitches because out of all the combinations you can have, that is the combination most likely to have nasty scraps. Some rescues take the same approach, so it’s worth checking

It's a bit of a lottery imo
Both how your dog reacts and any potential newcomer.
Of course you can test your dogs likely response but it still leaves the userper being an unknown....depending on the rescue centre could maybe do a meet & greet.

Go for it OP! I have a 7 year old Lhasapoo (Lhasa Apso/poodle cross). Two years ago I acquired a male Lhasa Apso. They are great together and keep each other company. Unless your dog really doesn’t like other dogs in general I’m sure you won’t have any problems.

Every time we have introduced a 2nd dog (4x so far) there has been a 'stand-off' period, which has varied from a few weeks to months, during which the existing dog takes off & just ignores the new intruder with no interaction whatsoever.. The only time this didn't happen, interestingly, was with our first 2 when introducing a rescue to another, so maybe that does make a difference. The first time this happened we panicked a bit & spoke to a behaviourist who basically said ignoring is good, it's signs of a punch-up you need to worry about. After this initial stand-off we have found the existing dog gradually shows an interest in the new one - sniffing etc. Then eventually they start playing & within 6 mths have been best of friends. It turns into a pack mentality after you introduce another one & they then sort their respective hierarchies out as a natural thing. Obviously in general boys get on better with girls, but same sex can get on if there's a clear seniority gap & the temperaments are ok.

Is it possible to speak to the people you’ll be rescuing the dog from to see if they will let you have it for the weekend to see how it is with your existing dog? We have two cockatoos who are three years apart and that all went fine, but it really is down to the individual personality of each dog I think. Also are you aware of the behaviour of the rescue dog? As some do tend to come with behavioural difficulties for example not house trained or aggressive or timid around other dogs or children and that’s usually why they have been given up for rescue? I would certainly check this first before plunging in Best of luck