There are pros and cons to owning more than one dog!

Training time is multiplied!

Dogs don't train themselves - and they may teach each other things you didn't want them to learn!! What one doesn't think of, the other one will.

Twice as much poop to scoop, twice the food bill, vet bill, training bill, grooming bill. Twice as much wear and tear on the yard.

Three times as much attention. Time with each pup separately and time working together so they can learn to focus on you in each other's presence.

See Working a Group

Introducing a new dog must be done carefully.

Introduction on neutral territory is usually a good plan. Keep leashes slack (no tension!) and let them circle and sniff each other briefly, which is normal canine greeting behavior. Then take a walk together. Keep it positive. You want both dogs to expect "good things" to happen when they’re in each other's presence.

Puppies often pester adult dogs unmercifully. Well-socialized adult dogs with good temperaments may set limits with puppies with a growl or snarl/snap. This is normal and should be allowed. Adult dogs that aren’t well-socialized, or that have a history of fighting with other dogs, may attempt to set limits with more aggressive behaviors, which could harm the puppy. For this reason, a puppy shouldn’t be left unsupervised with an adult dog until you’re confident the puppy isn’t in any danger.

photo couresty Virginia Broitman

Defensiveness of personal space and possessions is a normal response of adult dogs toward rude puppies and teenaged dogs - especially females (they don't call them bitches for nothing!) At around 5 months of age, his puppy license has run out. His advances are becoming less puppy-like. Adult dogs control resources in order to maintain their position in the pack. This is normal canine behavior. As humans we have a tendency to yell at the noise maker and not the one doing the provoking. This can make the bratty teenager believe that you support his right to torment the older dog and make the older dog resent the pushy adolescent even more.

Support the older dog's right to personal space. If she has a bone, redirect the pup to his own, don't expect her to share. If he's pestering her, interrupt it. She will like him better when his approach doesn't get her in trouble and when it appears that you recognize his rudeness and will deal with it for her so she doesn't have to. She is teaching him manners and boundaries, your job is to help her. She'll like him better when he respects her space and position in the pack. You also raise your own pack leadership by being the hall monitor who keeps the peace.

Healthy bond - or co-dependent?

Dogs need to learn how to be alone. It's not healthy for your dog to be so bonded with its housemate that it becomes stressed if separated.

You, the pack leader should be able to select one dog for a walk or a ride in the car without worrying that the house will be destroyed by the frantic dog who's left at home. You should be able to choose a dog to accompany you at your whim without feeling guilty for leaving the rest behind.

It's no fun struggling with a dog who can't have fun with you because he's worried that his sister isn't there.

There are five dogs in this bed built for one!