Two Dogs Or Not Two Dogs?

Well, I'm STILL here in FL staying with my parents while my husband is fixing up (or should I say rebuilding) our house in NC, and my mom recently approached me with a question which I'm sure is a very common one and something I thought was worth devoting this blog too.           

 

They say that dogs are like potato chips...it's hard for people to have just one.  There are plenty of arguments to be made for having more than one dog.  The most obvious argument against having multiple dogs is the amount of work that will increase by double when you add that second furry companion.  It adds up to twice the amount of walking and twice the cleanup.  Then of course there's the financial factor to be considered.  Having more than one dog equals double the vet bills.  But overall, there are more arguments for having multiple dogs than there are against it.  

 

For one thing, dogs are pack animals and they thrive in social situations.  When there are no other dogs around, their human family becomes their pack, but then that pack must leave them each day for school or work obligations which can often be very stressful for the dog.  When the dog has a canine companion, however, they become their own pack and keep each other company when their human family is not with them.  They're usually much calmer and better adjusted in the presence of another dog than they are as the only dog.  While humans and dogs make excellent companions, there really is no substitute for canine-to-canine companionship.  When dogs have another dog to keep them company, they're less stressed out by the fact that their human family must leave them each day.  They suffer from less separation anxiety and consequently get in to less trouble which is ALWAYS a good thing! 

 

Because dogs in multiple-dog homes are less stressed, they're typically healthier dogs in general.  They suffer from less of the stress-related conditions like skin problems and ear infections that plague dogs.

 

While the financial concerns are certainly valid, the additional exercise and work are not quite as worrisome.  Dogs that have each other to keep company often need less outside exercise in addition to playing with each other during the day.  Yes, you will need to pick up after two dogs instead of one, but the additional work is minor compared to the benefits.

 

So, if you’re considering adding a new dog to your pack, how do you go about making this introduction a safe and happy one for all? 

 

The number one rule when bringing a new dog into a home that already has dogs is to do it gradually.  The worst mistake people can make is to just bring the new dog into the house.  To the dogs that were already there, this is an intrusion on their territory by a stranger.  To the new dog, being thrown into an unknown environment leaves it without any rules to follow or boundaries to respect.  This method of introduction is a formula for disaster.  Do it this way and you’ll end up with dogs that fight, compete over everything, and are generally not fun to deal with.  Here are a few tips to help you avoid such problems.  

 

Introduce on neutral territory. 
It’s best to let the dogs get to know each other on neutral territory -  preferably somewhere outdoors and a place that neither dog is familiar with.  Each dog should be walked separately on a leash, and each walker should have a bag of high-value treats or food broken into small pieces.  At first, walk the dogs at a distance where they can see each other but are not too provoked by each other’s presence.  If the dogs are not showing any negative behaviors, reward them with treats just for seeing each other.  For example, when the dog you’re walking looks at the other dog, you can say “Good boy!” in a happy, friendly voice and give him a treat.  Repeat often.

 

Pay attention to each dog's body language. 
Watch carefully for body postures that indicate a defensive or wary response, including hair standing up on the dog's back, teeth baring, growling, a stiff-legged gait or a prolonged stare.  If you see such postures, either when the dogs are at a distance or near each other, immediately and calmly interrupt the interaction by interesting the dog in something else.  If the dogs seem relaxed and comfortable, you can gradually begin to shorten the distance between them.  Again, offer treats to the dogs any time they look at each other in a relaxed manner.

 

Let the dog's determine the pace of the introduction. 
It’s possible that the dogs will just want to play with each other by the middle of the walk.  It’s also possible that it will take more time before the dogs are comfortable enough to walk side by side.  The most important thing is to take this introduction slowly.  The more patient you are, the better your chance of success.  Do not force the dogs to interact before they're ready.

 
Once the dogs are able to view each other at a close proximity, allow one dog to walk behind the other and sniff the other out, then switch.  If the dogs remain comfortable, allow them to walk side by side.  Finally, let the dogs interact under close supervision.  If one or both dogs show any signs of stress or agitation, proceed more slowly with the introduction.

 

When they are in a calm state and interacting without incident, then it’s time to bring them into the house.  The key step here is to have your original dog enter the home first with you, and then bring the new dog in.  This allows your original dog to “invite” the new pack member into the territory.

 

Monitor closely in the home. 
When first introducing the dogs in the home, use a sturdy, tall baby gate or something similar to separate them.  Observe how they interact through the barrier and reinforce positive behavior by providing high-value treats to the dogs for positive interactions.  Make sure that there are no toys, food, or treats left around the house that could potentially cause the dogs to fight.  Also, be aware of situations that could lead to conflict; for example, when the dogs get overly excited.  Closely monitor the dogs when they are together and reward them with treats for good behavior.  DO NOT leave them home alone until you're 100% confident the dogs are comfortable and safe with each other.

 
It's crucial to handle the first meeting between dogs with plenty of patience and care as it will set the tone for their entire relationship which will hopefully be a long, healthy, and very happy one!  

 
Happy tails to you until we meet again!