Woof! Bark! And also Whiiiiiiiiiine.

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BaronessBL Oct 2014 11:02am, 15 Oct 2014 4,052 posts	0 BaronessBL Sadly I don't own a good dog only a bad one so I may not qualify to help... I think there is a sprocker owner who has posted on here in the past but I can't remember who it is now. I don't know what current thinking on introducing a new puppy is. Some years ago we (my parents) had two female dogs (not siblings) who were getting older so we got a (male) puppy. He was always at the bottom of the 'pack.' When the older two had both died we got another puppy (I can't remember how long it was before the puppy arrived). Both dogs were now males and there were a lot of 'top dog' issues, resulting in the end in the older dog being rehomed. It was all fairly awful and I am sure that things were not done 'properly' or with the right sort of advice/training. Is your dog used to sharing his environment with another, do you ever look after another dog for holidays, or go on holiday with people with another dog. That might give you a clue as to how he is going to react to another dog coming into the 'family'?
D2 Oct 2014 11:19am, 15 Oct 2014 5,642 posts	0 D2 Most of my adult life I have had two dogs, usually introducing a new one soon after loosing another. Each time it has been different so in my opinion it depends on the temperament of each dog. I personally prefer one of each sex as I have found that works best. I have found however that its easier to introduce a puppy than a grown dog. I think having two dogs is fun but I also think a puppy brought up in a house with an adult dog is different to a puppy brought up in a home with just humans as the adult dog will inevitably have a 'training' role. Good luck!
Sharkie Oct 2014 11:30am, 15 Oct 2014 5,882 posts	0 Sharkie I agree entirely with D2, although I have never had more than one dog at a time I do know several two or more dog households. I know Nat the behaviourist and owner of a whole pack of dogs would also agree - sometimes you can be unlucky and the two dogs just DON'T get on, their personalities clash - like people. Even if one is a puppy, although introducing a puppy to an adult is often the best bet. I've been led to believe two bitches are the least likely to get on ... but can't remember whether that is just an old wives tale (and a bit anti female!) I do agree that one of each sex is best. We are going to get a second dog - (when the appropriate puppy arrives!) He will definitely be a HE and will be introduced to Jess very early on.
D2 Oct 2014 11:51am, 15 Oct 2014 5,643 posts	0 D2 I had two females together once it was awful....
Sharkie Oct 2014 11:54am, 15 Oct 2014 5,883 posts	0 Sharkie I thought that was the case - perhaps if there is a whole pack then a different social structure comes into play? In fact I know it does - part of the lecture we went to last weekend concerned this. I can't imagine two entire males would be a good idea either!
Sharkie Oct 2014 12:06pm, 15 Oct 2014 5,884 posts	0 Sharkie Brighouse boy! That's who you need to talk to twodogs! He has two springers.
twodogs Oct 2014 1:13pm, 15 Oct 2014 1,743 posts	0 twodogs Cheers guys as for the good bit i was referring to the owners
twodogs Oct 2014 1:14pm, 15 Oct 2014 1,744 posts	0 twodogs Cheers guys as for the good bit i was referring to the owners
twodogs Oct 2014 1:14pm, 15 Oct 2014 1,745 posts	0 twodogs Cheers guys as for the good bit i was referring to the owners
twodogs Oct 2014 1:14pm, 15 Oct 2014 1,746 posts	0 twodogs Cheers guys as for the good bit i was referring to the owners