We are considering getting a new dog. We currently have a 4-year old Siberian Husky Hybrid that we’ve had since she was a puppy. I know most people say it, but she is just…wonderful. She’s so smart, she was easy to train, she listens, and she fits our lifestyle (outdoorsy). She’s intuitive and independant, and has fun with the cat.
We would like a second dog, one a bit smaller then her (she’s a mid-sized). However, we really don’t want it to affect her personality. Does anyone have any experience with introducing a new dog to a single dog household, good or bad? I really don’t want to be confronted with making a decision to either find a new home for the new dog, or her changing a lot.
It might be tough at first, but they learn to tolerate each other. I don’t think it would get to the level of having to find a new home for the new dog, but I’m sure there are anecdotes about that.
We introduced a dog (a bigger dog), and our dog wouldn’t let him eat for like 3 days . Then, on the 4th day, the new dog went after him when we tried to feed him. That ended that stand off. We still fed them in separate rooms, until the original dog died.
The original solo dog never really seemed to like the new dog. He always tried to remain alpha, but wasn’t vicious. There were times they would wrestle.
Two dogs can be much more of a hassle. It’s way more difficult to place them when you go away. One of our dogs always wanted to go to the park, and one of them always wanted to walk around town, so one was always dissatisfied after a walk.
We went to a two-dog household about 2 years ago. We had a 3 year old bird-dog type hound (biggish), and some friends found a 5 month old chow/collie mix running around in a parking lot. They took him to their local animal control, and we ended up adopting him. It was the best (dog-related) thing we ever did.
When they were first introduced (in our back yard), Lizzie showed her dominance by body-checking the poor chow mix all over the yard. After she showed him exactly who was top dog, everything settled down, and they are a very tight pack of two. We feel (somewhat) less guilty for leaving the dogs alone while we go to work, as they technically are not “alone” anymore. Still, must be boring, except when they want to get into a barkfest with some of the other local dogs.
FWIW, both dogs were neutered as soon as it was physically safe to do so.
I had a fat, elderly non-neutered male Sheltie (10 yrs old) when I brought a stray spayed 2 yr old Lab home. Blaze, the Sheltie was not too thrilled, but he tolerated Lucy. Mostly he was jealous of the attention we paid her, but was not aggressive at all. But he also wouldn’t play with her. He was not socialized with other dogs at all, either.
About a year later, I just had to rescue this little Bichon. Male, not neutered, about a year old. (This was maybe five months ago.) Lucy adored him! They play and run and wrestle and play tug-o-war - it’s hilarious. Blaze tolerates them both, but often he looks at me like, “What the hell were you thinking?”
Three dogs is a lot of work, but I love having them all, and watching them interact. Blaze is beginning to interact more with the other two, also, which is a good thing.
I took my then three-year spayed female old PWD, to meet a four-year old neutered male PWD in need of rescue, Guinness. The two of them hit it off, so Guinness came home with us. There was a week of humping back and forth, during which there also engaged in a lot of friendly play. Being that Guinness was the new addition to the pack, Bailey remained the alpha. Despite their different personalities – Bailey is sweet but a lazy couch potato, while Guinness is very active and has a temperament more typical of PWDs – the two of them get along like littermates. No problems with sharing territory, food, toys, and so on. Even though Bailey is almost eight, and Guinness almost nine, they still play a lot, and occasionally I’ll find them sleeping in a puppy pile.
PWDs are quite social, and I’ve met more people that have two than just one; they’re a breed that really does better with other dogs around.
Five dogs, here ()2 dobes, Alaskan malamute, St. poodle and English setter). I bring dogs into my house and expect the pack to accept them, and they do. Part of it is that I always tell them I’m the biggest bitch there. I’m the boss of my pack - everybody else is expected to be submissive. And while they aren’t all best buds, they all get along well, eat from the same dishes and share my attention. The older dogs will lie companionably side by side. the younger dogs roughhouse together. They all leave the four cats alone. None of them bother the horses.
Yes, see, part of the reason we’re considering a second dog is the lonliness factor. The current dog is alone all day for at least 2 days a week. It’d be nice if she had someone to play with.
