Two cats are better than one, but this is not always true with dogs. Many dogs do enjoy the companionship of their own species. Some, however, are very devoted to their human companions and resent having to compete with another dog for attention. You will find out what your dog prefers. Naturally, there will be some jostling for attention when a new dog appears on the scene. But in a few weeks you will all settle into one happy family.

It is important that your existing dog be well-trained and not have any annoying behavioral problems before you introduce another dog into your home. The reason for this is that dogs mimic. For example, if your dog is an excessive barker, the new dog may mimic this habit. If you have firmly established your leadership, then your existing dog will be a model of good behavior for your new one, and behavior problems will be kept to minimum.

The best choice for a new dog is one that fits your family’s personality and one that is about the some temperament as your existing dog. Choose one that is the opposite sex, younger, and smaller. This will reduce same-sex rivalry and make the new dog less threatening to the existing one. Get the new dog neutered as soon as she is old enough. If she is ready at adoption time, have it done before bringing her home.

Be sure the new dog has a clean bill of health, including shots and de-worming, before bringing her home to expose your existing dog. Bathe and groom your new dog before bringing her home. It is less traumatic for your existing dog to get used to the odor of one dog rather than several. Also, there will be less tendency for your existing dog to mark his territory against all those other dogs he smells on the new one.

Introduce the dogs outside. In fact, if you can leave them together outside for a day before bringing them into the house, this will reduce their tendency to mark in the house. However, if one dog does mark in the house, say nothing, wash the spot and spray it with white vinegar and water solution. As soon as the dogs have worked out their dominant-submissive roles, urine marking will diminish.

If the dogs get into a scuffle, growling, snarling, and fighting, let them be as long as they are not really hurting each other. Your tendency may be to rescue the underdog. It is important for you, however, to go to the dog that comes out on top in this scuffle, probably your existing dog. This recognition will help him establish dominance. One of these dogs will have to be dominant, the other submissive. After you have reinforced the dominant dog, go to the dog who comes out worse in the scuffle to help her understand and accept submission. Once they feel secure in these roles, the fighting will cease. Do not forget to give the existing dog the same amount of attention as before.