Enter Louie: 6 month old fireball of energy!

It’s a well-intentioned idea, and it came from a place of love and care. But it didn’t go exactly as I imagined.

Before you jump into adding another dog to your household, let’s explore what this decision could really mean for you and your dog.

The Potential Outcomes

They Get Along – The Dream Scenario

Picture this: you bring home a new dog, and it’s love at first sight. Your dogs have a built-in playmate to romp around with, keeping each other entertained and exercised. Imagine the joyful scenes as they chase each other through the parks of Bishan or tussle playfully on the grass at MacRitchie Reservoir. The best part is you’ll get to enjoy twice the doggy cuddles on the couch. Sounds perfect, right? Its definitely what I had envisioned when I brough Louie into our lives. This scenario is possible, and when it happens, it’s wonderful. But it’s not guaranteed.

Moreover, anytime you’re adding more personalities into the mix, there will be times where even the best of buds, might not get along. Just consider how it was living with your sibling or parents as a child. No matter the amount of love and companionship, there were times when you wished you could be left alone!  Its the same with our dogs!

They Don’t Get Along – The Reality Check

Now, imagine the opposite. You bring home a new dog, and your current dog isn’t thrilled. The reality is, not all dogs take kindly to having a new four-legged roommate. There’s growling, snapping, and a general tension in the house. Or perhaps they get along at first, but you find yourself increasingly breaking up fights and managing separate feeding times to avoid conflict. The stress levels rise for both you and your dogs, making home life more chaotic than calm. This is also a possible outcome and one you need to seriously consider. In fact, I would go as far as saying this is probably the more likely scenario when you bring another dog into the mix.

In my case, both dogs got along initially and everything seemed wonderful, but slowly Louie started resource guarding toys and spaces, and even me, leading Henry to become terrified of even coming into the same room as her! It broke my heart, and had I known what I know now, I probably would have found other ways to keep Henry occupied and active.

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Proceeding

Before you decide to bring a new dog into your home, ask yourself these important questions:

1. Is My Dog Social? – Does your dog generally get along with other dogs? Have they shown a tendency to be friendly or aggressive in social situations?

2. Do I Have the Time? – Whoever said adding another dog isn’t double the effort or clearly had no idea what they were talking about. Managing two dogs means double the time for training, walking, feeding, and vet visits – especially if they don’t get along. Are you prepared for the additional responsibility?

3. Can I Handle the Cost? – Another dog means additional expenses. Can your budget handle the extra cost of food, medical care, grooming, dog walks, training and potentially boarding when you go on vacation? Dog-mom life ain’t cheap!

4. What’s My Living Situation? – Do you have enough space for two dogs to live comfortably without feeling cramped? Is your living environment conducive to having more than one pet? Remember smaller spaces with more dogs, can often trigger aggressive episodes since the dogs feel like they don’t have places to escape to.

If you have any doubts, it may be best to hold off on getting a second dog. Your own pup’s wellbeing should be the top priority.

How to Approach It If You Decide to Do It Anyway

If you’ve thought it through and decided that adding another dog to your family is the right move, here’s how to make the transition smoother:

1. Introduce Them Slowly – Don’t just bring the new dog into your home and expect everything to be fine.
   • The first few days, keep the newcomer separate from your existing dog. They don’t need to see each other to get familiar – they can smell each other through separate rooms.
   • Set up structured introductions in a neutral meeting place after a few days where both dogs can get to know each other without feeling territorial.
   • Arrange parallel walks with a friend or housemate with the new dog to ease them into each other’s company.

2. Supervise Interactions – Keep a close eye on their interactions, especially in the beginning. Look for signs of stress or aggression and be ready to intervene if necessary.
   • Remember its not your older dog’s job to teach or correct the newcomer – that’s YOUR job!
   • Reinforce good behavior with treats, play and praise.

3. Don’t force sharing – Ensure each dog has their own space, toys and resources to avoid conflicts.

4. Maintain Routine – Dogs thrive on routine. Make sure your existing dog doesn’t feel neglected by maintaining their usual schedule and giving them plenty of attention.

5. Seek Professional Help – If you’re unsure about how to manage the introduction or if things aren’t going smoothly, don’t hesitate to seek help from a professional dog trainer or behaviorist.

6. Patience is Key – Building a harmonious relationship between two dogs takes time. Be patient and give both dogs the space they need to adjust in order to help them become the best of friends.

Conclusion

Deciding to bring another dog into your home is a big decision with potential rewards and challenges. By carefully considering your current dog’s personality, your lifestyle, and your ability to manage the added responsibility, you can make an informed decision that benefits everyone involved.

Remember, the goal is to enhance the quality of life for both your existing dog and the new addition. As the experts at the American Humane Association advise, “Bringing a new dog into the home should be done carefully and with the current dog’s needs in mind.” Whether they end up being best friends or just tolerate each other, your love, time and care will make all the difference in creating a happy, balanced home.

For more tips on managing multiple dogs and ensuring a smooth transition, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I’m here to help you and your furry friends live your dream scenario.