Getting a Second Dog Doesn't Always Double the Fun

A recent article called “Should I Get A Dog For My Dog?” nicely summarizes many of the factors one should consider before adding an additional dog to their home. Ultimately, dogs are individuals with unique personalities, and getting another dog must work well not just for you and your current family members, dog included, but also for the new dog as well. A new dog is not a substitute for you.

This essay was co-written with dog trainer Mary Angilly and offers the perspectives of a canid ethologist and trainer.¹ As a teacher and behavior consultant, Mary has seen countless situations in which adding another dog has mixed outcomes, some good and some bad, and everything between.² Marc has worked alongside a number of people who took in a second dog with mixed results for all concerned. Some, with the best of intentions, hadn't planned for the extra time, money, energy, and knowledge of dog behavior that would be required.

Adopting the resident's and newcomer's mindsets and personalities

The resident canine. Imagine you live comfortably in your current home. One day, after going for a car ride with your family, you meet a stranger in a place you might never have been before. You talk to the stranger for a few minutes and think, “They seemed nice” (or, worse, “They seemed awful!”), and then you go home. Later on, that stranger shows up at your house and moves in! How would you feel? Did you get “good vibes” or “bad vibes” from the stranger? Are you an extrovert or an introvert? Would it bother you if they slept in your bed sometimes or ate your food?

The newcomer. From another perspective, imagine your family dropping you off in a large facility full of other people you don’t know. You’re probably confused and frightened, but nice people bring you food and spend time with you. Day after day, you sit in a small area, sometimes without the opportunity to go to the bathroom when you need to, and strangers walk by, looking at you. One day, you’re taken out of your living quarters and are brought to meet some people who seem nice. They have another dog with them whom you meet. You aren’t sure why you’re meeting them, and you’re still very confused, but you say hi and do your best. Later, these people take you to their home, where you’ve never been before, and that same strange dog is there. How would you feel? How long would it take you to feel “at home” or comfortable?

Imagine another scenario in which the only life you’ve known is with your mom and your siblings. You’re so young that you might still be nursing from mom. Sometimes, some nice people come to visit you, and one day, one of them takes you away from your family, and you’re suddenly in a new place with a strange dog you’ve either just met or never met. How would you feel? And what about your mom and her other children?

Buster (L) is 11 and was adopted from the Humane Society of Boulder Valley almost six years ago. Banchan ("bon-chon") (R) was adopted from Old Dogs New Digs just over a year ago, and she's 16+ years old.

Source: Mary Angilly

What should you do?

Mary's story of her two dogs is pertinent here. She recently adopted a second dog, Banchan, and although she trains dogs professionally, it was still tough! She knew her first dog, Buster, well enough to know his personality and what she wasn't looking for in a new "roommate," so she started the search.

It took months to find a dog who would work for her household, and even when Mary found Banchan, much was unknown about what she would want because she was a stray. They tried things out, and after a rocky start and a big investment into managing her household, everyone is doing well over a year later. While we understand that the above situations aren't exactly how all of these scenarios play out, they're common for many people who get an additional dog.

This piece isn't meant to make anyone feel guilty or regret their choices; instead, we want you to take into consideration the many facets that can come into play when adding another family member to the household and remember that reaching harmony in the home may take time and may evolve, as our dogs' wants and needs and our own can change. Prioritizing the well-being of your current dog, a potential new dog, and yourself is a win-win for all—everyone's point of view is important.

Some questions to ask yourself:

• Why do I want a second dog?
• Am I patient enough to work through any conflicts? The introductions can take a while.
• How do I plan to introduce the dogs? We suggest meeting in a neutral place, and while that can help with a successful greeting, the dynamic may change at home. Seek out the help of a certified trainer for assistance.
• Am I prepared to separate my dogs when needed?
• Am I good at reading their body language—am I dog literate? This will help you determine how both dogs are doing at any given time.
• Am I prepared to give both dogs time on their own and their own time with me?

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Thinking about your current resident dog:

• Does your dog enjoy the company of other dogs?
• Has your dog spent time in a household for an extended period of time with other dogs, and how did that go?
• What type of dog would they choose to share their home with?

Thinking about the potential new dog:

• What do you know about this dog's history? Have they successfully lived with dogs in the past? If they're in a foster home, are they living successfully with other dogs in that home?
• How long has the potential new dog been living in their current home? Are they potentially stressed, and are you not sure if their behavior is related to the transition they're going through?

Clearly, getting a second dog might feel like it's always a win-win for everyone involved. However, it's not. The above guidelines are a good beginning from the perspectives of a dog ethologist and a positive trainer. The input of these sorts of professionals could be critical and when they, your resident dog, your new dog, and you and other humans who will be in close contact with the dogs agree, there will be less tension and you can offer a gift to both of your dogs and yourself.