Buying a Second Dog Breed – Things You Need To Know

Sometimes, you look down at your favorite dog and think to yourself, “Why not get another one and double the love and fun with my pets?” However, before you hurry out and purchase another dog because of a rush of love for one pet, there are a few important considerations you must make.

You need to consider your current dog’s nature. If your current pet can be a bully and the new dog doesn’t kow-tow to your current pet, they could be some major problems on your horizon. Constant battles to figure out who is in charge can result in costly vet bills for you, as well as plenty of worrisome moments.

If your current dog has the opposite problem and is too submissive, it could result in the new dog bullying the current dog and making it depressed. A good way to tell if a puppy will be submissive is to pick it up and cradle it like a child on its back. A puppy that lets you cradle it on its back signals that it is willing to be submissive to its owner.

Consider your current dog’s size. If you have a small pet, you should not get a larger animal, as the larger puppy could hurt your smaller one. If you have a big dog now, however, and want to add a smaller puppy, this will most likely turn out okay. Nevertheless, keep an eye on the dogs when first introduced to make sure the big dog takes on the role of protector and does not pick on the newcomer.

If your dog is an unaltered female, you could have another problem. When another female enters her area, she could become very upset. You will have to consider altering your dog before allowing them to share a space together. She may still show some aggression, so a male puppy will be the better choice. You should neuter at least one of your animals to prevent their pairing and a new demonstration of 6 puppies in your home.

The age of the dog is also important. Older dogs do not take well to puppies and are less patient with their antics. If you have an older dog, consider adding a more mature dog to your current home to prevent any problems. After all, what old dog wants to deal with a chewing puppy bothering them day after day?

Some breeds are more accepting of newcomers than others. If your dog is generally easy-going, you will have a better chance that they will get along. Some smaller breeds can become jealous and spoiled, such as Yorkshire Terriers, for instance. They will resent not being the center of attention all day long.

Pit Bulls and Rottweilers, for example, might have aggression issues to deal with as well. Each dog is an individual, so it pays to have some “testing ground’ before you fully introduce a new animal into your home.

         

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