From some of the stories I have heard on Pet Talk, I guess we have just been lucky. All of ours get along great.
Oreo was our first dog. She was 11 when a friend gave us Dazzi because he was getting divorced and moving into an apartment that wouldn't allow pets. They were some difficult moments and occasionally they still get into it because they both want to be Alpha but overall it has turned out very well. Oh, by the way, Dazzi was 1 1/2 when we got her - she was a calm dog and didn't try to play with Oreo which was good.
About a year later, we added Taggert who was 6 months old when we got him. He became Dazzi's "baby" and she is still very protective of him over 2 years later. He teases Oreo but she just growls at him which only makes him tease more.
Snoopy was next - he was 7 months old and by then Taggert was about 10 months old. He is a hyper boy but he seemed to just fit in but that is partially because he is extremely friendly.
Jack was our next addition. We got him a year and a half ago. He was 4 then. He's kind of a funny guy. He gets along okay with the others although at first he scared them because he is quite a bit bigger than the rest (he's an airedale). He used to growl and get upset everytime they played but we let him know it was not okay. He still growls at them occasionally when they invade his space when he is sleeping but to be honest they all get along great.
The biggest problems we have had are with Oreo. She is the smallest of the bunch but she is also the meanest. She and Dazzi get into it but I have yet figured out who started it - I used to blame Dazzi but lately I have noticed that Oreo can be quite snippy with the others - I would like to say it is her age but it wouldn't have mattered how old she was. It is mostly just a lot of growling and wrestling around and the worst injury was to me one time when I pulled them apart and Oreo got my hand instead of Dazzi!
We have individual bowls for each of them but they eat out of whatever bowl they want and there doesn't seem to be any trouble - we have 2 or 3 water bowls down. They share toys. Rawhide is our biggest problem. Taggert and Snoopy tend to want whichever one someone else has. They don't really fight over it just bark and whine at each other until they make me mad.
I guesss I would first take Samantha to meet the other dog. Give them a chance to sniff each other over. If everything goes okay I would go for it. I wouldn't give up even if they have a few scuffles because it does take a few days of adjustment. Do you use crates? I wouldn't leave them alone together until you have had them together for awhile. Keep a squirt bottle close to break up fights without getting your hands involved. I think probably the most important thing is to let Samantha know that she is not going to lose anything to the other - that she is only gaining a friend.
I think the one mistake people make is that when the dogs fight they think they hate each other or they (the people) have made a mistake in adding another dog. How many human siblings do you know that haven't fought? I just look like it as that - in any family they will be fights over toys, food etc. You are the parent - you have to make sure they know that fighting is not acceptable.
Was I anxious, doubtful - of course. Having another child makes you doubtful and anxious. It is just normal but vey worthwhile.
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