Dogs are the most popular pets in the United States. According to the 2023-2024 American Pet Products National Pet Owners Survey, nearly 87 million American households, or two-thirds of all US households, feature at least one pet. Of these households, roughly 65.1 million have at least one dog. Additional studies have determined that approximately 14.8 percent of US households have multiple dogs. There are several considerations and preparations dog owners should make before introducing a dog into a home that is already a home for one or more dogs.
The most important thing to keep in mind is that each dog has a unique personality. Humans need to assess the personality and behavior of their dogs and determine whether it is safe, affordable, and otherwise manageable to introduce an additional dog to the environment. Dog owners must also spend as much time as possible with the new dog to get a sense of its personality. That said, certain breeds are more aggressive than others and may be harder to acclimate to a multi-dog environment. Potentially aggressive dog breeds come in all shapes and sizes, from Akitas to chihuahuas. Certain breeds, such as the rottweiler, are specifically known for being aggressively territorial, meaning they may not be interested in sharing their yard and home with another canine. Dog owners must also assess for general compatibility. For instance, the French bulldog recently overtook the Labrador retriever as the most popular dog breed in America. Both dogs are openly affectionate with humans and get along well with other animals. French bulldogs can even coexist quite well with cats. However, French bulldogs are much smaller than Labrador retrievers and have much lower energy levels. Even if a Frenchie and a lab get along well, owners must be prepared to care for two animals with very different needs and daily routines. Individuals and families should also make all the same considerations they would before getting their first dog. Introducing a second dog to a home will double a family’s pet budget. Medical emergencies and costly accidents at home become more likely with each new animal. Moving cross-country for a job or finding a new place to live is challenging with one pet, and even more so with several. Similarly, dog owners need to determine whether they can put in the time and effort needed to successfully introduce a new dog to one or more dogs already living in the home. Even if the animals in question and the living environment support multiple animals, owners cannot simply show up one evening with a new dog and expect the current dog to accept this change without issue. Dogs should meet one another in neutral territory. This means outside, ideally nowhere near the home or yard. Humans should allow the dogs to sniff and greet one another and then go on a walk, allowing the current dog to observe its owner interacting with the new dog. Both dogs should be continuously rewarded during their first meeting. It is very important to pay attention to each animal’s body language and to allow the dogs interactions to progress at a natural pace. It can be difficult to overcome an initial negative reaction, especially if the dogs fight. As the meeting gradually moves to the house and indoors, owners should make use of baby gates to keep the animals separate. This allows the new dog to become familiar with its new home while the current dog grows comfortable with sharing its living space. In some cases, families may need to introduce dogs several times and keep baby gates up for days or even weeks. If they do not feel confident in their ability to successfully introduce multiple animals, they should reconsider bringing home an additional dog, possibly putting it off until a later date.
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AuthorBradley DiTeresi completed his undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Kansas and pursued graduate studies in business administration at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC). Archives
August 2018
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