Getting a second dog a good idea? ?
Looking for some advice about adding a second dog to our family. I currently have a 3 year old with a calm demeanor. She does well around other dogs but can get annoyed. We are thinking of adopting a dog with a calm demeanor to match hers. But I'm worried she will get jealous and/or depressed. Worried she won't love me anymore. Thoughts?
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I would hold off on a 2nd dog. Some dogs would rather be an only dog that gets all of your attention.
Try and get them to meet before going ahead with the adoption, (shelters do encourage it) meeting firstly in a neutral environment is the best as your house is your dogs territory, this will make it easier. Since you have a female dog getting a male dog is also recommended as female and female tend to fight more. Not saying always but it can happen.
If you have room, adopting a second dog can make your first dog more active. Look at the websites for local rescues and arrange to have your dog meet a few of them. All the ones near me require you to bring your dog in to see if they get along before they consider adopting out any pets. They also do home checks and an 8 page application to fill out.
If you do the introduction properly & have the two meet on neutral ground where neither dog is on home ground. If they get along just fine at the first meeting, they may be able to go home in the same car.
Of course the home dog is going to be pretty upset about this new dog invading her territory. Dogs are very territorial & will fight to defend territory.
You might want to check out, 'how to introduce a new dog into the home?'
It can be, but the important thing is - that you get the dog for YOU, not your current dog. I disagree somewhat with Verulam on this, having done much rescue and re-homing of my breed. And the breed or breeds in question, may make a difference in this regard, as to how attached or people dependent it/they are. Not all dogs enjoy or want to SHARE the limelight or their time with & attention from you. Many dogs do NOT crave or want a companion dog.
IMO, too many people do too LITTLE with the dog they have, and only get a second dog to supposedly entertain or keep the first dog company. Please don't do that! (If you do not have enough time for the dog you have, you will NOT have more time with TWO.)
I hope your first dog is WELL-TRAINED. Any secondary dog, may NOT be, and will learn or copy from the original. If there is aggression the better control you have over dog 1, the better, things will work out. Please get an OPPOSITE GENDER dog for less of the common same sex "dominance issues". Please also make sure that the energy levels are similar. While your current dog may be calm, it might be hard to pair a Basset Hound with say a Lab or Golden Retriever. I find if you take them out for a run in fields or a dog park you WANT the dogs to wear out - at about the same RATE.
Please consider looking at BOTH rescue groups and shelters.
Most dogs, by no means all, would welcome having a companion. However, you will only know if you try. If you are thinking of adopting a mature dog, not a puppy, you should have them meet somewhere off her property and bring them home together. Of course your attention will be on the incomer, but she shouldn't be left out. Dogs tend to gravitate to where the attention is.... it's not jealousy as dogs don't have this human emotion. Again what they have, which humans think is jealousy, is piling in on whatever is 'going'. Dogs live in the moment.
Forget about 'loving you'. It's all about mutual respect - not 'love' again in the human sense. If you treat each dog the same, it should work out. I hope you plan on having a male because this is usually the best combination. Provided the male knows to respect the b itch!! He should be slighty younger.
Again she should welcome the companionship, especially when you are out.
Correct the incoming dog if he pesters her - the more she sees you are in charge, the more she's likely to settle down with him.
Shelters often want all the family + any resident dog to meet with the reserved dog to see how they get along - much as getting on away from her home, could well be quite different to her accepting the dog INTO her home.
Good luck.
Bringing in a new dog will have it's challenges, most shelters suggest you bring your dog in to see how they get along and offer suggestions on how to slowly introduce them.
Yea you can freeze it up and the meat will last a long time