Many people consider getting a second dog in the hopes that a new dog will help keep the first dog busy and out of trouble. However, if our first dog is not well trained, it is more likely that our second dog will pick up his bad habits.

In the end, we will have two furry terrors instead of one.

I got my second dog one year after my first dog. I waited a year so that I had time to bond with my first dog (Shiba Inu Sephy) and properly train him. Only after I had solved most of Sephy’s behavioral issues did I consider getting a second dog.

One of the biggest challenge of getting a second or third dog is introducing her to the existing pack and getting everyone to accept her. Here, we consider how to successfully introduce a second dog into the home.

Introducing a Second Dog into the Home

1. Meal Time Ritual

Meal time is especially important in a multiple dog household.

Dogs are opportunistic in nature, and during meal times, I have observed that they will try to steal each others food. This can often trigger food guarding and food aggression behaviors.

I supervise my dogs during meal times so that there is no stealing. They each get several interactive food toys to work on and I make sure they give each other space while working on the toys.

Often, Siberian Shania will work diligently on the toys while Shiba Sephy will just lie around sunning himself. He will wait until Shania is done with the toy, and pick up what she has left behind.

He is such a moocher!

Sometimes, he will test coming in before Shania is done with the toy, in which case I will step in and stop Sephy. In this way, the dogs learn that I will take care of things so that they don’t need to do it themselves.

2. Attention, Affection, and Rules

After getting a new second dog, it is natural to pay more attention and show more affection towards the new dog, especially if he is a puppy.

However, we must resist that temptation and treat both dogs equally.

If we give the second dog more attention and affection, we may create competition between the two dogs, which may later lead to aggression. Instead, make sure both dogs follow the same rules and get similar rewards for doing work for us.

If we are too lenient with our second dog, and let him get away with more, the first dog will likely observe that, and pick up on those same bad habits.

I like doing group obedience training with both dogs. This helps them work together for food, and be comfortable with each other around people, food, and toys. I also do their grooming sessions together including teeth cleaning, and fur brushing.

Supervision is very important, especially in the beginning, to ensure that they learn good play habits and interaction habits with each other. I still supervise my dogs, but less so now that they are older and know the rules around the house.

Still, Shiba Sephy will always try something from time to time to test his boundaries.

He is that cool!

3. Play-Time Rules

In addition to meal-time rules, play-time rules are also important.

Since Shania is a three legged dog, Shiba Sephy may sometimes overwhelm her when he gets over-excited.

I always make sure he does not get too rough with her. I also institute a no-humping rule because it can be seen as a dominance move by other dogs (especially new dogs) and I do not want Sephy practicing these type of behaviors. Siberian Shania also dislikes it, so humping is a time-out offense for Sephy.

Some people prefer to let the dogs “work it out for themselves”.

Personally, I think it is best for the humans to set and enforce play-time rules and household rules. By doing so, I ensure that Siberian Shania never has to be fearful of Shiba Sephy, and vice versa. Since I am the one correcting their behaviors, both dogs do not have to do the correcting themselves, with their teeth.

They both learn to see each other as playmates and equals, and if there is ever any trouble, they can come to me and I will take care of it.

4. A Quiet Place to Rest

When I first got Shania, I made sure that Sephy had a nice and quiet place to rest when he wants to be by himself, away from the nibbles of a new puppy. This is especially important if your first dog is older, and tires more easily.

A new puppy can be a crazy ball of energy and a big handful, not just for the humans around the house, but also for the existing dogs.

Set up a consistent routine for the second dog, as you did for your first dog. Make sure the second dog has a fixed schedule for meal-time, play-time, walk-time, and sleep-time.

When it was time for sleep, puppy Shania went into her crate or puppy pen. In this way, Sephy got to rest and so did Shania. Now that Shania is older, it is no longer necessary, and both dogs are able to regulate themselves and give each other space when they need it.

Still, they each have separate crates that they can go to when they want, and they also get to go out to the backyard when they want.

If I am not home, which does not happen often, Siberian Shania prefers to stay out in the backyard and Shiba Sephy likes staying inside the house. I still do not trust them to be alone together in the house because their play can get pretty crazy and they may get over-excited and hurt themselves.

Second Dog – Double Trouble or Double Fun?

So which is it?

Is a second dog double the trouble or double the fun?

I think if properly handled, a second dog can be a big enhancement to everyone in the family.

I am very glad Shania joined our family. Everyone has a happier, much richer life because of her spirit, exuberance, can-do’ness, and overall awesomeness!

But she was a lot of work, especially in the beginning, and the dog bills are now double what they were before.

Still, Shania gives a thousand-fold more than she gets and Sephy will be the first to say that he loves her more than words can say. When Shania is away, Sephy just spends his time moping around the house.

Thanks to Colleen and Reptar for bringing up this fun and important topic.

If you have second dog stories, tips, and advice, please share them with us below.