Time for a second dog into the family

Welcoming your first dog into the family must have been a unique, fun experience. You probably have the memory of this as an unforgetfull experience. Whilst addition of a second dog to the family should be equally enjoyable & fun experience, there are subtle considerations you should be mindful of upfront & be prepared for adjustments

Jan 20, 2023
dog welcoming another very cute dog
Welcoming your first dog into the family must have been a unique, fun experience. You probably have the memory of this as an unforgetful experience. Whilst addition of a second dog to the family should be equally enjoyable & fun experience, there are subtle considerations you should be mindful of upfront & be prepared for adjustments:
  1. Make sure that you have enough time and resources to devote to another dog. Caring for two dogs takes more time and money than caring for one.
  2. Consider the personalities and energy levels of your current dog and the new dog. Ideally, you'll want to adopt a dog that is compatible with your current dog's personality and energy level.
  3. Gradually introduce the new dog to your current dog. Start with short, supervised interactions and gradually increase the length and freedom of their interactions over time. Be prepared for some adjustment period as your dogs learn to live together. There may be some initial tension or fighting, but with patience and proper training, your dogs should eventually become friends.
  4. Make sure you provide each dog with enough attention and individual training. It's important to provide each dog with plenty of one-on-one attention, exercise and training to ensure that they don't feel neglected or left out.
  5. It is also important to consider how much space you have available at your home, as two dogs will need more space than one. Lastly, it is important to understand that each dog has their own personality and behaviour, so be flexible and be prepared to adapt.