Dogs are very social animals and live in packs in the wild.
They enjoy being in each other's company and will happily eat and sleep together.
Often a lonely dog will enjoy another dog's company.
However, introducing a new dog or puppy to your home can cause difficulties and challenges.
To help avoid this, Messy Pawz Dog Training has put this article together.
I am thinking of getting a companion, is it a good idea? Yes, but only if you have time to take care of a second dog.
If you don't have much time for the dog you have then you won't have much time for a second dog.
Introducing a second dog will take time, patience and you will have to be prepared to put in extra time for training and settling in.
If you just want a second dog to keep your first dog quiet then you might be better off re-homing your first dog.
Any behaviour problems this dog has will be learnt by the second dog and your problems may be doubled rather than solved.
Does it matter if I get a male or female? There is no hard and fast rule as to whether female dogs get along better than males.
People tend to assume that females get along better because female humans can be gentler in nature.
However, all dogs are animals whose behaviour is based on instinct.
Certain breeds can get along better than others but the most important thing to take into consideration is how you treat the oneyou have now.
How do you treat the dog you have now? This is where you have to be honest.
Do you spoil the dog you have? Does it make demands for treats or your time by barking or being a nuisance? Do you give in and let it have its way? If you have spoilt your mutt then it is not going to be happy to share your attention with a second dog or a child or even a new spouse.
You can still introduce a second dog, but you are going to have to make some changes to your behaviour and become a calm, cool and confident pack leader.
When you do this, your first dog will be much happier and be more relaxed.
Should I get an adult dog or a puppy? This depends upon how much time you have to train a puppy.
The Messy Pawz Dog Training website if full of information sheets dedicated to training puppies to be happy, confident members of your family.
However, it takes time and patience.
Puppies are full of energy and will bounce, pounce, nip and may annoy an older dog.
Your new puppy will learn a lot from your existing dog both good and bad behaviours so you will have to take this into consideration.
Where should I introduce the dogs? It is best to introduce your dogs in a neutral area, like a park.
If you can't, take your existing dog with you when you go to pick up your second dog and introduce them there.
Don't introduce them in the car or at home.
Dogs are highly territorial and will fight to defend their home territory and this includes the front yard, the house, the back yard and the car.
How should I introduce the dogs? Let your dogs interact with each other on the ground and off leash.
Often there will be a lot of sniffing and dogs can be a bit stand offish at first.
Don't be tempted to pick up the smaller dog or puppy as this will interfere with the process of introduction with each other.
Don't interfere by patting or touching either in these first crucial minutes.
Allow them to introduce themselves.
If one dog is more dominant, then they may try and step over the other dog or climb on its back.
If the other dog is OK with this, it will lower itself down and may even roll on its back.
This is a very good sign.
It means that it is telling the other dog that it is not a threat and will cause him or her no harm.
Don't be alarmed if there is a bit of growling or bearing of teeth.
This is normal behaviour that want to establish their dominance.
Only interfere if a fight breaks out and then separate the dogs immediately.
If the dogs are OK together wait a few minutes and then begin to walk and call them to follow you.
Encourage both dogs with your voice and by patting the side of your leg.
Do not introduce balls, toys or treats at this stage as your existing dog may be territorial over them and a fight might break out.
Take them for a long walk together around your neighbourhood before taking them home.
If you find your dog is begging you for attention be very wary of giving him or her a pat with the new dog present.
After a couple of days and after both dogs have settled in; then you can them both equal attention.
If you find that either dog becomes aggressive towards the other, stop in immediately by yelling in a loud gruff voice and making a loud disturbing noise.
You can do this easily by slapping a folded newspaper onto your hand or on the ground near them.
If the aggression continues, put the aggressive dog outside for a few minutes only.
If you bring it back inside and it continues to be aggressive, put it back outside.
You will have to do this until the dog understands that it can only be inside if it is calm and does what you want it to do.
You need to establish yourself as a calm, cool, confident pack leader.
Always give your dog the opportunity to correct its behaviour and do the right thing.
Be patient when introducing a second dog into your family.
It may take several weeks for it to adjust and feel secure in its new home.
Nonetheless, having more than one dog will give you many new and exciting experiences to grow an learn.
You will both have a new friend to play with and go for walks with and share your lives together.
If you have serious dog fighting issues or you would like more information, please go to http://www.
messypawz.
com for direct contact details to a dog behaviourist for a immediate response.