Question:
We would like to get a second dog. We already have a delightful 4-year-old golden doodle (golden-retriever/standard-poodle mix). We are completely smitten with this wonderful animal. She gets along well with other dogs in the neighborhood, which is something of an understatement. When she sees other dogs outside, especially the ones she recognizes, she is so eager to go out and greet them that she goes crazy. When friends have gone on vacation and left their dog with us, she enjoyed the company as long as we didn't give too much attention to the extra dog.
Will it harm her to bring another dog into the house? Will she get used to it? Or will she always be jealous? We would like to bring in a puppy because we enjoy bonding right from the beginning, and I would like to train the dog. Should it be female, male or a puppy? Does breed matter?
S.A., Silver Spring, Md Feb 28, 2011
Answer:
I appreciate your concerns. Your dog has been well socialized into accepting your friends' dog staying with you while they are on vacation, so I see no problems.
Adopt a pup from your local animal shelter (provided he or she has a clean bill of health, has been wormed, treated for fleas, and given core vaccinations). The sex of the pup is not too important because neutering is to come, but a male who will grow to about the same size as your present dog may be your best choice.
Have them meet outside on neutral territory (like a quiet side street or park), and walk the two home after they have had time to sniff and check each other out. This will enrich all of your lives.
I will never forget how our dog Tanza behaved when my wife Deanna brought home a little pup she rescued in Jamaica while on vacation with friends. Tanza slowly circled little Lizzie, who was sitting still in our front garden, exhausted after her long flight to Washington, D.C. After sniffing her cautiously, Tanza's eyes brightened and with an enormous grin, she executed a series of play bows and skips around Lizzie. In circling the dazed little Lizzie repeatedly in this way, she was clearly expressing her joy and excitement at having her own puppy to care for. Tanza, a wonderful dog Deanna had rescued in Tanzania, became the perfect foster mother for Lizzie, who filled a hole in Tanza's life and vice versa!
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