While it is completely possible for dogs to love new additions to the family, it is important to remember that dogs are sensitive, in tune, creatures that have the capability of feeling upset, jealous, or unloved just as us humans do. While life can be a whirlwind, it is important to take a time and smell the roses.
If your older pup appears to be apathetic and generally has a lack of energy, this could signal depression. Let's say Fido used to love to play ball and now doesn't even blink an eye or wag his tail when you try to engage. Jealousy and sadness about the new puppy could be the culprit.
Introducing Dogs to Dogs HOMEWARD TRAILS RESOURCE LIBRARY: DOGS! Many people do not give two dogs time to adequately adjust to one another before deciding that having two dogs will simply not work. It can take up to one month for an old dog and new dog to really settle in and accept each other's position in the pack.
Most dogs will welcome a new sibling, but it is not always smooth sailing. The furry family member you have now will face many changes when a new dog enters the picture and may feel a bit displaced. He may not like sharing his territory, toys, food, resting places, or humans.
A dog may have depressive episodes as a result of life changes. These include getting a new place to live, welcoming a spouse or child into the family, or getting a new pet. But losing the owner's attention is the most frequent cause of canine sadness and it will disturb any dog.
By nature, dogs are social and thrive in group environments. Therefore, there are many advantages to adopting a second dog, such as: They can keep each other company. Both dogs will be able to entertain each other and get exercise together.
Second Dog Syndrome
As humans, we are bound to forget all of the time and effort it takes to raise a puppy right. All too often, a second dog joins the household and the expectation is that they will behave as the existing dog in the home does, so they are often given the same freedom right off the bat.
Your dog may want to go away from the puppy or may growl or even snap to tell the puppy to go away. However, if your older dog uses his teeth on the new puppy, that is not normal, and it may be time to consult with a veterinary behaviorist.
It may take several weeks for the two dogs to get used to each other, so patience is required. But most of the time, dogs are accepting of other dogs, often welcoming the companionship. It's just a matter of an owner setting expectations and being consistent.
Watch for signs of stress or impending aggression from either dog – hackles raised, stiff tail and body posture, or growling. If either dog shows aggression, cut the meeting short and reconsider your new arrival.
The amount of time each individual pet needs to adjust to their new homes will vary, but the 3-3-3 rule helps give an approximation of what new pet owners can expect. The 3-3-3 rule refers to the first 3 days, the first 3 weeks, and the first 3 months after bringing a shelter animal home.
Like humans, dogs have physical and emotional needs. They get jealous if they feel they are not getting enough attention because of a new family member or a new pup. This can also be made worse if your puppy is untrained!
Introduce valuable items like toys slowly
As you see that they're getting along, introduce toys that your older dog doesn't really care about and that are safe for the puppy. Or bring in new toys as long as the older dog doesn't guard them. Have one handler play with the puppy and another with the adult dog.
Older dogs may find it difficult to share their resources, space and attention - after all, they've had everything to themselves until now! They've had the freedom of the house to eat and sleep wherever they want - and it may not come naturally to share this with a new bouncy puppy who seems to get all the attention.
By demonstrating your leadership skills, you instill in both dogs the importance of listening to and following you. Now both dogs have something in common; both see you as the boss. Let your older dog see good things happen when the puppy is around. Give both dogs lots of treats and tons of praise for staying calm.
For the happiest dogs and the safest household, opposite sex dogs almost always do best together. Many same-sex combinations of dogs will fight, sometimes to the death. Those who work out a dominance order may not fare much better.
Many people are hesitant to adopt a second dog because they assume it will be twice the work and twice the money. But the truth is, owning two dogs doesn't have to be more work – in fact, it can often be easier. And as for the cost, it will cost more money than one but not twice the amount.
When jealousy occurs, it is important to deal with your dog's emotions, properly. Introduce your dog and the new puppy on neutral grounds first. This will help maintain the idea that you are their pack leader and you are willing to play with both dogs. They can use this neutral territory to explore each other.
There are many reasons older dogs might not want to deal with puppies, from their inability to read physical and social cues to the relentless invasion of your adult dog's personal space.
The (sort of) good news is that all these feelings are common. Type “second-dog guilt” into Google, and you'll see how many people feel conflicted about adding another dog to the pack. So though it doesn't necessarily feel good to feel this way, at least there's safety in numbers.
Even if you are home with them for most of the week, the amount of quality time you're spending together may not be enough for a needy dog. That's why for some households, introducing another pet can be a great idea. Loneliness can quickly lead to stress and anxiety in dogs if ignored, and it's not always an easy spot.