Have you ever tried to get a second dog but your older dog wouldn't accept it?

[Anonymous]

Our family would like to get a second dog. We strongly prefer a puppy because we can train it. We are looking at a specific breed so please no suggestions for any particular rescue organization or getting an older dog -not relevant to my question.

The breed is one that is compatible with our older dog who is 5 so already well trained and socialized but not old with medical problems yet. Our current dog is a member of the family so if it doesn't work out with the new puppy, the puppy has to go. Our house has the size and layout where I can keep them gated and separate for a few weeks as recommended in website but we can't live this way for 10 more years.

Our older dog gets along well with some other dogs but can be reactive (barking, leash pulling) with other dogs. He's not bright because the type of dogs that he reacts to negatively are the more aggressive dangerous ones like pit bulls or German Shepards. He's very good an friendly with other sporting dogs and medium to small dogs. He loves the mini doodle, collie, corgi, and other Goldens that live on our street. He should be OK with another dog, I hope.

So my question is have you ever brought home a puppy and it just did not work with the older dog?

[Anonymous]

We always tested it out first, with two meet ups/play dates.

This isn’t something you just wing.

[Anonymous]

Yes. A good play date is not an indication that your older dog will be willing to accept another dog in the home. And a lot of older dogs really dislike puppies.

Our dog is friendly and submissive with other dogs outside the house but we have tried three times to adopt a second dog and our original dog has been upset, territorial, and food guarding. It hasn't worked out.

[Anonymous]

I am curious what you mean by 2 compatible breeds? And what breeds you consider incompatible? Obviously size might be a factor although I have a friend with a Great Dane and a Chihuaua

[Anonymous]

I am curious what you mean by 2 compatible breeds? And what breeds you consider incompatible?

Mostly size and level of activity etc. We have a large Golden. He is not overweight just a large build type not one of the smaller field types. I love little Yorkies but I would be worried that the little dog would get injured if they were playing. He's a gentle job but is pretty active. I can't see a Bichon Frise, teacup dog working. For logistics we don't want another large dog. So for small to medium sized dogs we have decided on a Corgi. We adore them too. Corgi's are active, pretty tough and a good size.

To the poster with the dog who would not accept it after three different tries, may I ask what happened?

I've been advised to keep the food separate with Goldens not just because of food guarding but because Goldens eat everything so fast and Corgis can be picky so the Corgi would never get any food. I've heard from lots of Golden owners that they are pretty accepting of new dogs but I'm still concerned.

A Corgi is over $1K so its an expensive mistake but I hate the idea of not adding a second dog that we really all want if its more likely to work out.

[Anonymous]

We have 2 dogs. We got the second one (about 9 months old) on a whim from the rescue place - I just always assumed it would be fine and it was/is.

We didn't do anything super special, we still keep their food in 2 separate spots, which they know as part of their routine- we didn't read any books or do any advanced plannign.

Worked out great.

[Anonymous]

First I would correct the training on the older dog -- you say he barks and leash pulls around other dogs. That is very rude behavior and he needs to defer to you so that he will defer to you interacting with the puppy as well.

FYI, in case you aren't aware, Corgis are often difficult to train and have strong opinions. They are not as compliant as a golden. I love this kind of personality -- I have a chihuahua and a beagle! -- but I live on a farm and have a lot of experience with training difficult dogs. It slightly worries me your Golden is 5 and still displaying rude behaviors. A Corgi might get your number very easily.

make sure you give the older dog lots and lots of attention so he doesn't feel forgotten, and don't mess up the order by, say, letting the puppy sleep on your bed while the older dog gets the floor, etc. Yes to feeding them separately (or I just leave All Stages food out free choice for my dog and puppy, so they don't feed the need to resource guard). make sure you have a crate for each dog....if the older dog is stressed by puppy antics, let him have some quiet time in his crate with a delicious treat he likes. Puppies can be overwhelming to an older dog and you should respect that need for non-puppy time.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

We got a puppy when we already had a three year old dog and it worked out really well. We were pretty confident that they would get along - puppies are adaptable and come into a home generally good natured about other dogs because they are fresh from a litter. And we knew our older dog likes other dogs because he often goes to doggy daycare.

We do feed separately, are careful with high value objects like rawhides or balls and hired a trainer right away to help with the transition to two dogs (and for puppy obedience training). Crate training helped because it mandated rest periods for the puppy and separation time between the dogs.