Tips for adding 2nd dog
- Thread starter JoeLacy
- Start date
I have a 3 year old mini-aussie (all of 10 pounds) male, he's anti-social with most other people and other dogs (loves our cats though), despite training classes, agility, and other efforts to socialize. He's just afraid of everything. But he's typical aussie in all other ways.
My husband always wanted a samoyed, when we had an unexpected chance to help a samoyed puppy, Ozzie was here. First weeks, Ozzie was sick and under quarantine. Woody would look into the area where Ozz was and growl a little. When they finally got to meet, it wasn't pretty at first, Woody was not too happy with this giant puppy in his space, but within a week they were playing tug of war with a sock. Woody's MUCH better around other animals now, too.
Most of the people here have much more experience than me, but
I think that most dogs, and yours sounds like a lovely dog, adapt to the new addition relatively quickly. Of course the new dog's attitude is important. Ozzie is very sweet and friendly (too friendly, sometimes) and I think we would have had major issues if he'd of been an old grump like Woody can be. We weren't planning to add another dog, due to Woody's attitude, but everything worked out fine with only rainy day hiccups.
This is from the first day of the two meeting, you can just see Woody's immense pleasure at the event.
My husband always wanted a samoyed, when we had an unexpected chance to help a samoyed puppy, Ozzie was here. First weeks, Ozzie was sick and under quarantine. Woody would look into the area where Ozz was and growl a little. When they finally got to meet, it wasn't pretty at first, Woody was not too happy with this giant puppy in his space, but within a week they were playing tug of war with a sock. Woody's MUCH better around other animals now, too.
Most of the people here have much more experience than me, but
I think that most dogs, and yours sounds like a lovely dog, adapt to the new addition relatively quickly. Of course the new dog's attitude is important. Ozzie is very sweet and friendly (too friendly, sometimes) and I think we would have had major issues if he'd of been an old grump like Woody can be. We weren't planning to add another dog, due to Woody's attitude, but everything worked out fine with only rainy day hiccups.
This is from the first day of the two meeting, you can just see Woody's immense pleasure at the event.
Last edited:
If your bringing a second dog into the home meet the other dog with your dog on neutral territory make sure they get along first there. Try that a few times if possible then bring them both into your yard and see how they are.
One thing you do not want to do is bring a second dog in and it not work out because then you have to rehome the dog.
One thing you do not want to do is bring a second dog in and it not work out because then you have to rehome the dog.
I plan to get a city pound dog. I spoke to them this morning and told them my plan. I will go out and find a dog, then bring my dog to the pound to see how they interact in the yard. My Aussie is over the top dog friendly, so if the new dog loves to play, that part would be a good match.
I'm thinking I need a second crate though so they both have their own space.
I'm thinking I need a second crate though so they both have their own space.
That's a good plan Joe. Just make sure to maybe have someone with you this way they can stay outside with the dog while you go pick out the dog. The reason being that your dog does not pick up any diseases such as kennel cough. Even if he is protected against it he is only protected to 50%.
Also it does not stress out the other dogs as a shelter dog is under enough stress just being cooped up all day.
Also it does not stress out the other dogs as a shelter dog is under enough stress just being cooped up all day.
I will make at least 2 trips once I find a candiate. I looked for Peyton for about 4 weeks, took out maybe 10 dogs but spent nearly every Saturday checking various shelters. I spent literally 10 hours one on one with Peyton before I knew she was right. I was right and so was she for me.
This time around it may be more difficult to find just the right dog. I want another Aussie as my first choice and they don't come up very often in the pound, add that fact to my nearly impossible set of criteria and I'm going to have to work for it. I've contacted a few Aussie rescue orgs this morning to see that they have. I'm in no huge hurry here, the dog has to be right on all accounts but at least I've started the process. It could be I find the right dog soon or it may take much longer. I won't take Peyton at all until the final test and then I have a specific test to see if the new dog passes. The new dog has to pass MY tests and that one is rather daunting.
I think those people at the shelters thought I was nuts and waaay too picky, but I got a "great" dog in the end and she got a forever home.
This time around it may be more difficult to find just the right dog. I want another Aussie as my first choice and they don't come up very often in the pound, add that fact to my nearly impossible set of criteria and I'm going to have to work for it. I've contacted a few Aussie rescue orgs this morning to see that they have. I'm in no huge hurry here, the dog has to be right on all accounts but at least I've started the process. It could be I find the right dog soon or it may take much longer. I won't take Peyton at all until the final test and then I have a specific test to see if the new dog passes. The new dog has to pass MY tests and that one is rather daunting.
I think those people at the shelters thought I was nuts and waaay too picky, but I got a "great" dog in the end and she got a forever home.