I'm thinking of getting another dog?

Question

I have a year old beagle/lab mix, neutered male. He's pretty easy going, VERY smart, and lovable. Today at the pet shop I noticed they had a female beagle pup on sale, and I fell in love with her. I toyed with the idea of bringing her home but decided against it. I'm afraid my boy will get very jealous, he's very attached to me and I don't know how he'd do with having to "share his mommy" LOL. He's well socialized with other dogs, I take him to play with my boyfriend's 4 dogs and my brother's little dog and he gets along just fine with them, but I'm hesitant to actually bring another dog into the house because of jealousy. Is it easy to introduce two dogs into living with each other after one has been the only dog and have them get along? Like I said he's really attached to me and I'm afraid I will hurt his feelings as silly as that sounds!

It was at Petco where my brother works, and I should've added it was an adoption. It's really cheap to adopt a dog that's why I was contemplating it. Don't tell me to "educate" myself, I volunteer at an animal shelter and I know about the puppy mills. Just answer the question at hand or move along.

READ PEOPLE. Stop talking to me about pet shops. My brother works at Petco, the animals are sponsored there through an adoption agency. She was an abandoned animal. I know pet shops are bad, I would never buy a dog from one. The adoption agency just advertises through Petco.

And to the user who said if my boyfriend and I join households, what will we do with the dogs...2 of the dogs are his parents, so they wouldn't be coming with us if we move. He owns two, one of whom is 18 and probably won't be alive in a few years. That leaves us with 2 dogs, 3 if I ADOPT this one. And I would never, ever abandon or get rid of my animals. I know the cost of pets and they're not cheap, but they're worth it.

Answer 1

God, not sure why people have become so "defencive" and "abusive" or down right rude???

Its entirely up to you WHERE you get your dogs from. Not sure what "good" these Yahoo users think they are doing by laying into you about pet shops and back yard breeders? Err, off target etc.; Don't take any notice of the twatty, smarmy replies! You obviously know about dog and are a responsible owner!

There isn't any reason why you couldn't introduce another dog into your home. Especially if its a puppy because the puppy will not be challenging your current dog for "top" position. It isn't going to hurt your dogs feelings if you get another dog! He would probably love it! He would have a companion and a play mate to compensate for having to share his loving "mummy!"

Answer 2

If he plays along with your boyfriends dogs and socializes with other dogs this should not be a problem. I am not been rude here so please don't take it that way. The biggest problem here is going to be you Hun. Dogs are not humans, they live in the moment, if you are afraid of hurting his feelings you will pass that on to your dog and he will see this as weak energy. He then takes the place of the pack leader and that's when the aggression towards others starts. So your dog will be fine if you have a calm assertive, positive behavior. Do not favor one more than the other, as can happen if you are afraid of hurting his feelings this will encourage aggressive behavior.
I am always also wary about buying dogs from a pet shop, do your research about this shop, check out its reputation and find out where the dog has come from etc. Good luck
UPDATE.
you have to go a little easier hun on the answers, as most of us answered the question before you added the additional details, you said in your first question that it was from a pet shop. We are only trying to help, and the answer regarding what would happen if you and your boyfriend moved in was a sensible question to ask, as we see so many times on here that people buy pups and do no research at all and we see so many sad stories, so yeh people get passionate.But remember you are asking advice from the majority of people who know what they are talking about and are good responsible and knowledgable pet owners. If the answer is not what you want to hear, but its a sensible and knowledgable answer then I dont think you have a right to be rude to the people who have taken the time to answer your question. WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THOSE THAT ARE JUST PLAIN RIGHT RUDE OF COURSE,THAT THERE IS NO NEED FOR.

Answer 3

Definitely take on board the other posters answers regarding Pet Shops. There are big welfare problems with this industry.

Generally speaking most dogs will adapt to another dog. Some might not. Also there is more likelihood that dogs of opposite sex will get along, but avoid this situation if your dogs are not Spayed or neutered (please see to it if they are not).

Dogs will often respond well if you observe "pack order". Your existing dog should always be given precedence, that is, feed it first, pat it first and give it number one position (after yourself). Occasionaly the new dog might be much higher drive than the existing dog, if it is rather laid back, in this instance if the dogs do not settle you could try reversing the pack order over the months.

Other things to consider is what happens if it doesn't work out, where can the pup go. Your BF has 4 dogs, what if some time in the future you decide to merge households, you might not be allowed that many dogs. There are many dogs on death row, many of these purchased on impulse from pet shops, perhaps rescuing a dog might be a better way to go about it.

Also see if the dogs can meet up first to see if they get along.

Answer 4

You can get another dog, but need to make sure both are fixed, and that you introduce them properly.

Dogs that are spayed/neutered have less chance of NOT getting along with another dog, due to hormone fluctations.

I have an article about introducing a new dog to the established dog here: http://www.libertydogtraining.com/newdogintro.html

Introducing dogs properly is important for the success of integrating a new dog.

I don't know who old the beagle pup is.

I advise you not to buy from the pet store. You may think you are "saving" one dog, but you will sentence many more to disgusting living conditions, ill health, and premature death. These dogs come from puppy mills. It's very sad. I really suggest you look at http://www.petfinder.com for your next pet.

Hope this helps!

Answer 5

Don't get so wound up- you didn't originally mention the dog was a rescue, how would we know you weren't about to buy a puppy mill pup from a pet store?

On to your ?, you should contact the rescue and ask to set up a time to introduce the 2 dogs- they should be happy to allow you to make sure they get along before adopting. A female introduced to a well socialized male should be just fine- good luck.

Answer 6

My Yellow Lab was 18 months old when I got my Chocolate Lab and I have never had any problems with them. As long as you don't make more fuss of the pup than you do of your other dog then I don't see a problem. In fact my yellow Lab Amy used to nudge the new pup Milly to try and wake her up to play. they are now 2 and 3 yrs old and are inseparable, Amy was at the vets for spaying a few weeks ago and Milly pined all day until she came home.
You do need to think of the expense though, double food, treats, wormers, flea treatment, insurance, it can work out very expensive, but I have found it to be worth every penny.

Answer 7

You Should Get The Dog For Someone Different In The Family. So Your Dog Won't Be Jealous. So the Dog Won't Be Yours But Will Still Live in Your House. So Your Dog Won't Be Mad At You And Won't Have To Share You.

Answer 8

Yes, you can get another dog. I did it when my girl was 10 and had been the only devoted companion for all that time. Please don't purchase a pet through a pet store though. This is a puppy mill disaster and you are promoting cruelty by patronizing these houses of horrors. Choose a breeder in your area or call the Beagle rescue group in your area. Be a responsible consumer! Remember when you are not home, your boy will now have company. Dogs are pack animals and the more the merrier for them!

Answer 9

You could try "borrowing" one of your boyfriend's dogs overnight or something, but it should be fine. Your dog is basically still a puppy, he will probably lovee a play-friend.

Answer 10

Dogs usually get on quite well with each other ; it is cats that get very jealous.
I do not think you will have a problem. If anything, they might ignore you as they spend all their time playing with each other. You might be the one to get jealous. LOL