Buying a Second Dog
Sometimes after we have our first dog, we will later feel that one dogs is not enough anymore. Nevertheless, before you add a second hound to your collection, there are a few essential things you have to consider.
First, you might want to take a look at your dog's nature. If your beloved pet is a bit of a bully & the new dog isn't submissive, there are going to be some major battles before they sort out which dog is in charge. Sometimes, two dogs are equally dominant and these battles flare up again and again. By the time you visit your veterinarian for the fourth or fifth time to have their battle scars treated, you may be regretting the purchase of a second dog.
If your dog are very submissive, you might also get problems, as the new dog could bully your first dog and make his life miserable. Hopefully, you get a dog that does not lean too far in either direction. When you get a submissive dog at home, never buy a puppy that refuses to let you turn it over & cradle it upside down in your arms. When a puppy lets you hold it like you would hold an infant, it is a sign that the puppy is willing to be submissive.
Next, you should consider your current dog's size. If you have a Yorkshire Terrier, you might not want to acquire a Boxer puppy. A big, rowdy puppy can hurt a small dog quite a few times before it realizes its own strength. If you currently own a big dog who has a great temperament, you may be able to add a small breed puppy to the family, but you will get to be prepared to keep a close eye on the dogs at first when they are together. More than one Standard Poodle or Saint Bernard has become the devoted protector of a tiny lap dog.
Do you have an unaltered female dog? These dogs often are disturbance when a second female dog enters their domain. You might need to alter your dog before she will accept another female. She might still show some aggression after being spayed, so a male puppy may be a wiser choice. (Of course, you will have to alter at least one of your dogs unless you want to suddenly be the proud owner of 6 or 8 dogs.)
If you have an older dog, you may want to reconsider buying a puppy. These dogs often get aches & pains & are less patient than they were when they were younger. Instead, you may want to consider adding a more settled & mature dog to the family. After all, it will be easier on your older dog to adjust to a dog who has finished teething & chewing.
Finally, some breeds of dogs get more trouble accepting a new puppy than other breeds. Some of the toy breeds become a bit spoiled & jealous of other dogs. If you have a pampered Yorkshire Terrier or Miniature Pinscher, you might find that introducing the new puppy can be a bit of a challenge. Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, and other breeds that get problems with aggression might have problems, as well. However, each dog is an individual and some dogs who are members of these breeds get no problem accepting a new puppy.
