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Introducing a SECOND dog into the home



 
 
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  #1  
Old December 25th 04, 04:49 PM
~
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Default Introducing a SECOND dog into the home

I've had a FEMALE, lab/shep mix for 5 years now and am considering taking in
a second dog, also female (beagle).

Is this a good idea? I understand introducing another dog of the same sex
can be difficult. If I choose to do so how should I approach it?

I'd be interested in hearing form people who have had experiences in this
area.

Thank you.


  #2  
Old December 25th 04, 06:11 PM
Rocky
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~ said in rec.pets.dogs.behavior:

I've had a FEMALE, lab/shep mix for 5 years now and am
considering taking in a second dog, also female (beagle).

Is this a good idea? I understand introducing another dog
of the same sex can be difficult.


I haven't had an issue introducing a male puppy to an old
female, or with introducing an young male to an adolescent male.
Colloquial wisdom says that 2 females may be more difficult,
however.

If I choose to do so how should I approach it?


I'd have them meet on leash in a neutral area, like a park, with
a friend (who your current dog knows well) bringing the beagle.
If it looks like they want to meet, don't hold them back from
each other which may frustrate them. Conversely, if either of
them seem apprehensive, don't force them together - you and your
friend should take them to separate areas (within sight of each
other) and play with them, bringing them back together when they
start showing interest in what the other dog is up to. In fact,
this would be the best way to start. Swap dogs with your friend
and repeat.

How well socialised is your current female with other dogs?

If all goes well -- varying from immediately playing together to
showing total disinterest (not a bad thing) -- try the same
thing in your yard and finally in your house. In your house,
where leashes can be unwieldy, you can initially separate them
with a babygate while you and your friend carry on normally,
keeping an eye on them but not interfering too much.

Of course, lots of treats, play, and praise along the way.

Still another option is an "intermediary" dog - a friend of your
lab/shep's that gets along well with new dogs, too. Like my
"greeter" dog, Friday (wanna borrow him?).

If your current dog is well socialised and confident in her
position in the household, I'm sure it will work out. Good
luck!

--
--Matt. Rocky's a Dog.
  #3  
Old December 25th 04, 07:36 PM
Julia Altshuler
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~ wrote:
I've had a FEMALE, lab/shep mix for 5 years now and am considering taking in
a second dog, also female (beagle).

Is this a good idea? I understand introducing another dog of the same sex
can be difficult. If I choose to do so how should I approach it?

I'd be interested in hearing from people who have had experiences in this
area.



From reading this group, I understand that 2-female households can be
trouble. From the only time I tried it, there was no trouble at all.
My older female dog was Genny. My boyfriend got a younger and larger
female dog Sheppe. From the moment they met, they were best buddies.
First Sheppe lived with me until I gave her to Jim. Then they lived
separately except for weekends. Then Sheppe moved back in with me and
Genny to help her over her separation anxiety. The whole time, I never
knew that I should have been on the look-out for fights. There never
were any.


--Lia

  #4  
Old December 25th 04, 09:39 PM
Child
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"~" wrote in message
.. .
I've had a FEMALE, lab/shep mix for 5 years now and am considering taking
in
a second dog, also female (beagle).

Is this a good idea? I understand introducing another dog of the same sex
can be difficult. If I choose to do so how should I approach it?

I'd be interested in hearing form people who have had experiences in this
area.



It depends on the dogs - does the labX like otehr dogs?


  #5  
Old December 26th 04, 03:38 AM
flick
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~ wrote:

I've had a FEMALE, lab/shep mix for 5 years now and am considering taking in
a second dog, also female (beagle).

Is this a good idea? I understand introducing another dog of the same sex
can be difficult. If I choose to do so how should I approach it?

I'd be interested in hearing form people who have had experiences in this
area.


I have a lot of dogs; 6 live together, and 2 live together.

If your lab is fairly easygoing, shouldn't be a
problem. Good idea to introduce them in a neutral area
first, as suggested.

However, I've also had much success, if the dog in my
home was not outright *aggressive* to other dogs but
just normally territorial, simply bringing the new dog
home and putting them together, with careful supervision.

Usually, the new dog, being on another dog's territory,
will naturally act submissive to the resident dog. And
it goes on from there. Posturing, everybody accepting
that Resident is the top dog, and then they play.

Use care with feeding arrangements - make sure Resident
Dog, being larger (sounded like), doesn't hog all the
food or guard it.

Might want to keep them separate when you leave the
house, for the first couple weeks.

flick 100785


Thank you.



 




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