I'm going to go to my local Humane Society tomorrow and adopt a dog, and am looking forward to adding him/her to the family! But, I already have a 3.5 month old lab puppy, and I want to make sure that the puppy and the dog I get will like each other. What can I do to make sure that I don't bring home a dog that my existing puppy hates? I really want her to have a doggie friend, she's very social with other dogs and doesn't get to play with them enough right now (I'm hoping new dog can maybe be a playmate for her!)
My humane society doesn't have a home visit, only a suitable owner application that is all on paper, fyi.
2007-08-02 13:26:09 · 11 answers · asked by rianna 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Wow, I'm really disappointed that your shelter doesn't have at least an evaluator to see if the two dogs have any aggression toward each other. If I were you, I would bring my dog with and ask the shelter to supply you with a place for the two dogs to meet. Watch body language and see for yourself if the two are going to get along. At the very least, they should pretty much ignore each other, or at the very most, should run up to each other, tails wagging and ready to play. If you get anything else, you should not take the chance.
It is often too late after the dog is adopted. You may end up with vet bills from injuries, or have to give the dog back, which would traumatize the poor animal even further.
I think the shelter would coorperate with you-after all, they don't want the dog to come back.
2007-08-02 16:03:17 · answer #1 · answered by anne b 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Talk to the staff - the one in my area will WANT you to bring the dog to make sure everyone gets along just fine. If you have someone with you, maybe s/he could hold your lab puppy while you look or something... Call the Humane Society before you go and ask!
Awesome question though - and congrats on your new future family member!!
2007-08-02 13:31:44 · answer #2 · answered by a gal and her dog 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Ive had the same experiance. Just make sure the new dog you are adopting it a puppy so that they are both puppies. Usually they just play with eachother because there is nothing else to do. It works~!!
2007-08-02 13:34:30 · answer #3 · answered by cjcote04 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At 31/2 months of age interaction between the dog you now have and a new member should not be a problem. Persay your present dog were 2+ yrs old there might be some jealousy and or rivalry. Just make sure you give your "adoptee" time to adapt to its new surroundings !!
2007-08-02 13:34:02 · answer #4 · answered by AZRAEL 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A young puppy is rarely aggressive and if she is social, she should do fine. The question is whether the other dog is social with your puppy. The shelter staff can tell you if a dog has a good history with other dogs. Take your puppy to the shelter with you to meet prospective candidates (as long as all her shots are finished). That's what we did and it worked out fine.
2007-08-02 13:31:09 · answer #5 · answered by ? 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You can't know for sure whether the dogs will like each other. You have to teach them to at least not fight with each other. I adopted a dog that didn't like my other two dogs, but I trained her to like the other dogs. She doesn't love them now, but at least the dogs don't fight all the time anymore.
2007-08-02 13:34:25 · answer #6 · answered by Jonas Brother Lover! 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would be worried about bringing home disease to such a young dog.. Why don't you wait til your puppy is older, has some training.. fully housetrained, full vaccinated etc.. Then add a second dog.
2007-08-02 13:29:56 · answer #7 · answered by DP 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Dogs are much better than human beings and will adapt as well as adopt other dogs. initially they may confront but later they will become very friendly. My neighbor regularly brings new dogs when one of them dies . they are adjusting. Only humans will not adjust and fight.
2007-08-02 13:40:05 · answer #8 · answered by rajan l 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i would see if i could "loan" the dog for a couple of hours,bring her or him home and if they both interact good go back and tell them you want to adopt...i have a friend who did this and it really worked for her!
Hoped i helped
2007-08-02 13:32:28 · answer #9 · answered by Tawny S 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When your new pup is younger let your new pup get to know the old one. NEVER let any pup get more attention or the other dog will get jealous!
2007-08-02 13:35:51 · answer #10 · answered by webkinzhippo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋