Many dog owners find themselves wanting to get a second dog after raising their first, hoping the two can keep each other company. A Japanese dog owner from a multi-dog household shared his personal experience, highlighting three ideal moments to welcome a new dog into the home. He emphasized that bringing in a new dog without careful consideration often leads to problems in the relationship between the new and existing dogs.
1. Ensure the First Dog is Well Socialized
Before bringing home a second dog, it is crucial to make sure that the first dog has completed socialization training. In simple terms, this means the first dog is already able to get along well with other dogs. If the first dog lacks socialization and a new dog is introduced, both dogs will likely feel stressed, which may even result in aggressive behavior toward each other.
2. Consider the Age of the First Dog
The age of the existing dog is a significant factor. Ideally, the first dog should be over four years old before you introduce a new dog. By this age, dogs generally understand how to interact appropriately with others and have learned how to cope with stimuli and relieve stress. Naughty behaviors also tend to decrease with age. Furthermore, the ideal age gap between the two dogs is around three to four years. For elderly dogs, it's best to avoid getting a very young puppy that may be too energetic for them.
3. Complete Basic Training of the First Dog
The last important moment to consider is when the existing dog has mastered basic obedience commands such as toilet habits, waiting, dropping objects, recall, and walking on a leash. This is because the new dog will tend to imitate all behaviors of the first dog, including bad habits or potentially dangerous actions. Therefore, it is advisable to only introduce a second dog after the first dog's foundational training is well established.
Being mindful of these three key points greatly improves the chances of a harmonious multi-dog household, where both dogs benefit from companionship and coexist peacefully.
