Multiple Dog Households

So, you've decided that Rover is lonely and needs a playmate. You feel sorry for him that he's left home alone so much. You think he needs more exercise and to be livened up a bit. He's getting so old…a new puppy would add spark to his life. He could help you train the new puppy.

Or: Awww…you just couldn't break them apart. They're the last two puppies left and they love each other soooo much. They'll keep each other company.

I've heard all of these remarks, and more, from well intentioned clients who are now suffering the double trouble syndrone. There are those that have the older dog first and now, not only is the puppy torturing the poor old guy, but he won't listen to you at all. All he seems to focus on is the other dog. I'm here to impart some more truths about the animal, specifically dog, kingdom.

Firstly, with only one dog, he gets all your attention, all the treats, the toys, and walks. He doesn't have to worry about guarding his family, bed or other belongings from some snotty nose kid. Besides, he's probably sleeping most of the day while you're gone. It's a nice quiet time when he doesn't have to worry about a thing but for an occasional taunting squirrel or mailman. Secondly, two puppies at one time is at least as difficult as twins. They are both exploring, maturing and learning at different rates. At the same time, they are dragging each other into their antics.

Now for the serious side of this. You can count on the fact that dogs will always make more sense to each other than you will with them. What will happen without your understanding, implementing time consuming protocols, and diligence, is that the new addition will become much more dog oriented than people oriented. If they were in a "natural" environment, that might not be a problem, but for you, in a domestic environment, that means they will depend on each other more than you. You might think that would make things easier for you, but quite the opposite. In the case of the two puppies, one will always be more secure and confident than the other. The problem is that the security will disappear when they are separated. For the less secure of the two, that translates into fear and shyness. There is often an inability to approach new and stressful situations in the absence of the other dog. For the more secure of the two, you might still observe a lack of confidence in the absense of its counterpart. Basically, they depend on the other dog to complete themselves. You might see quite a separation anxiety when they are forced to be in separate quarters or areas.

In the case of the puppy added to an existing dog household, the puppy will undoubtably never develop into the completely happy, independent, well adjusted adult he would have been if you had raised him alone. He will, in essence, appear to be lost when separated, and will at best, be an anxious and uncomfortable pet.

You need to understand that dogs follow effective leadership. Dogs naturally communicate in a like fashion. You communicate like a person to your dog, although they do not process that information the way another person would. So, the other dog, whether puppy or adult , will always have the upper hand on you in the leadership and teaching capacity.

Take heart. There is good news. You can successfully acclimate dogs to domestic behavior directed by you, even in a multiple dog household. The easier scenario is the pup coming into an adult household. The adult is already person oriented. You only need to be concerned about socializing (refer to article on this site ) the puppy. In the two puppy household, you will need to separately socialize and train the dogs.

Here's what you must do: The puppy (or puppies) must be brought up separately. They should be crated apart from the other dog, and allowed supervised, directed group play, only for short intervals for the first 6 months. The puppy (or puppies) should be socialized separately. They must be taken to new and unusual places, and around new people, independent of each other. At six months of age, you can begin a program that includes mostly together time, but always with you determining the level of interaction and play allowed. I still recommend they be housed and taken out separately, on an ongoing basis to maintain your position as the effective leader in the house.