Bringing Home a Second Dog? Here's What You Should Know!
Adding another pup to your family is exciting! You already have what seems to be the perfect dog, so naturally, you think, Why not get him or her a sibling? After all, how hard could it be to integrate and train a new dog when you already have such a well-behaved pup?
Well, sometimes it's not quite that simple!
Years ago, I spent a lot of time training dogs and attended just about every dog aggression seminar I could find. One of my favorite trainers to learn from was John Rogerson from the UK. He had a very common-sense, straightforward approach to dog training. He certainly wasn't afraid to say things that might offend people who approached dog training based more on their emotions than on understanding canine behavior.
One of the things he taught us was the importance of how we introduce and raise a second dog in the household.
Is Your Second Dog Becoming a "Dog's Dog"?
Sometimes, that second pup develops behaviors you never experienced with your first dog. They may be harder to train, have difficulty respecting boundaries, become overly dependent on the other dog, or even develop behavioral or aggression issues.
One possible reason? Your new pup may be bonding more closely with your first dog than with you.
John Rogerson calls this becoming a "dog's dog" rather than your dog.
Here's a simple observation you can make at home.
Take your first dog for a walk while leaving the second dog at home. When you return, watch who your second dog greets first. Is it you, or does your pup rush straight to the other dog?
If your second dog consistently focuses on greeting the first dog, it may be a clue that their strongest attachment is to their canine companion. Of course, this alone doesn't prove there's a bonding problem, but it's something worth paying attention to.
How to Prevent This From Happening
The good news is that you can help prevent your new pup from becoming overly dependent on your first dog. And if it's already happening, you can work on building a stronger relationship. It just may take a little more time and patience.
The key is spending quality one-on-one time with your new dog.
Before bringing your second pup home, consider having your first dog stay with a trusted friend or at a boarding facility for a short period. This gives you an opportunity to bond with your new family member without the constant distraction of another dog.
If that's not possible, make a conscious effort to provide plenty of separate time with each dog, especially during those first 6–8 weeks.
Take your new pup on individual walks, enjoy playtime together, practice basic commands, and build trust through positive experiences.
When it comes to training, start by training each dog separately. Once your new pup understands what you're asking, you can gradually bring both dogs together for training sessions and all the fun shenanigans!
What If You Already Have Two Dogs?
If you've already passed that initial bonding period and are experiencing challenges, don't worry. You can still work on strengthening your relationship with your second dog.
Start creating opportunities for individual attention, walks, enrichment activities, and training sessions. Help your pup learn to be comfortable and confident without always relying on the other dog.
And remember, not every behavior problem is caused by a dog bonding more closely with another dog. Personality, socialization, past experiences, and training all play important roles.
Remember, YOU Are the Trainer!
One of the biggest mistakes people can make is assuming their perfectly behaved first dog will teach the new pup everything they need to know.
Your first dog may be a wonderful influence, but they shouldn't be responsible for raising your new family member.
Make sure YOU are building that relationship, setting boundaries, and providing the training your new pup needs.
There's nothing wrong with your dogs being best friends. In fact, that's what we all hope for! But you also want each dog to have a strong, healthy relationship with you and the confidence to function independently.
A little extra effort in the beginning can make a big difference in creating a happy, well-balanced, two-dog household!
If you are looking for services in the Houston area, check out our Boarding, Hybrid Daycare & Grooming Services!
Molly Taylor
Founder, Molly's Mutt House
Houston, Texas
Doggie Daycare, Boarding, Grooming and Pet Products!
