Adopting a new puppy... (sister!!!)

[Priscilla Cronholm]

So I adopted my 8 month old dog, Bailey, when he was just about 9-10 weeks old. He has become the joy of our lives and today I received an email from the shelter where we got him saying that his sister has been returned. This broke my heart. I offered to help, but when we adopted Bailey we were told they did not place siblings together.

Anyway, today she told me that older dogs are a different thing and that I could take 'Snuggles' home to 'foster'. If everything goes well between the two of them we are going to keep her. Bailey is our first dog and it was hard enough adjusting to him, but do you guys have any advise into me bringing another dog home?
How do you feed them so they don't fight?
Things to avoid? Things to watch for?
Bailey sleeps in bed with us. Where am I going to put her?

Any advise is welcomed. Thanks.

[Priscilla Cronholm]

this is Snuggles. Also, any thoughts on name change would be great.

[Luciann]

I think it is great that you are fostering her. Name: well since they are siblings and they look like twins, you have Bailey, how about Beauty?

As for the other, well

you make sure you have them on NILIF and make sure they have seperate food bowls and they have to eat out of their own, possible in two different rooms at first.

Sleeping not sure how big a bed you have and you are not sure if you are going to keep her even, i would train her to a crate or to her own bed for the time being, then later you can let her on the bed if you want. But i would also start training Baily to the crate/bed also, so that neither is jealous. up to you

depending on the size of the bed you could always have one on either side of the bed so that they are not in each other's territory.

that is how my two do it

[Priscilla Cronholm]

Thanks for the great tips. Bailey was/is crate trained, but we moved on May 1st and he was scared and started sleeping on our bed. We liked it, so we let it go... we have a full size bed, but my husband and I are petite, but not that small to fit 2 dogs. It might be a reason to get a new bed.

I will try to crate her and not Bailey at first and see how that goes, especially since I only have one crate.

[Amber]

When I first got Precious, I had to crate train her because she was 5 1/2 weeks old. When she was successfully crate trained, I let her sleep in bed with me. She has slept in bed with me ever since...she is now a year old.

When I adopted Sally, Precious was a little under a year old. Sally was a year and a half old. Sally was severely neglected as a puppy, never having human contact in the first 6 months of her life. She was then surrendered to a no-kill shelter until I adopted her. She was crate trained but not house trained when I got her and she refused to sleep in my bed because she did not fully trust me when she came to live with me.

Because Sally was so used to being in crates and other small places (she came from a place where she was 1 of 32 dogs and she lived under a trailer in discarded insulation), she does not mind sleeping in a crate next to my bed while Precious sleeps on my bed. Sometimes she will give me a look or put her paws on the top of the inside of the crate to tell me she wants to come up, but other than those 2-3 times a month, she is fine right where she is.

Do you know the past of Snuggles? That would help in a lot of the socialization and sleeping questions that you are asking about. Before I adopted Sally, I volunteered at the shelter where she was, so I knew EVERYTHING about her and her past. I saw about 25 people in about 6 months come in and turn her down because she was so shy and I decided to adopt her.

[Priscilla Cronholm]

I don't know much, but I know she was with a family that had 5 kids and two other dogs. I was told she is very socialized and a great dog. I guess I will find out more tomorrow. I'm concerned to put her in a crate and let Bailey sleep in bed with me, but if I put her in a bed on the floor she'll probably jump up... I don't know. I'm going to buy her a new crate and put it in the guest room with Bailey's crate. Do you think it's better to have her in the same room with us but crated or in a separate room?

[Jody Hayes]

Did you get any info yet from the shelter? I wouldn't go out and buy a new crate until you know what the situation is going to be. those big crates are not cheap. I would just take it one step at a time with no expectations. They could both end up on the floor sleeping happily or maybe she will want her own space w/out Bailey. It is a good idea to plan ahead but I have learned to "wait and see".

[Priscilla Cronholm]

Would you advice for me to put a bed on the floor or in a separate room like the guest room? Maybe I could put down some blankets over one of Bailey's bed. He has about 4 of them...

[Amber]

I started with Sally in another room, but she just barked. As soon as I put her in the same room with me and Precious, she stopped. If they don't feel like going to bed, they wait until I go to bed and then they play until they get tired. Then they either both sleep in the crate together or Precious jumps in bed with me and Sally gets in her crate.

[Jody Hayes]

Priscilla when we added our Lab our Beagle was in bed w/ us. They were only a few weeks apart in age. Between 6 and 7 mos old. We let Ace continue sleeping w/ us and layed a blanket down for the Lab. Since that is the way we decided Clff just took his place on the floor next to the bed. 6 months later still the same way. Ace gets into our bed and Cliff onto his own bed. (We finally got him a soft bed to lye on) :) We seperated their food bowls too but the beagle kept eating out of the new guys untill I started feeding them in the same spot. Now they eat out of their own bowls. We never gave the new dog or old dog more attention over the other. We figured hey these are the rules whoever gets to the door first goes out first. whoever listens and does the command first gets the treat first. Hope that helps.

[Andre Mendizabal]

First of all introduce them in a neutral environment. Just because they're brother and sister, doesn't mean they will get along great... so just put them together and see what happens, if they like each other... you can take Snuggles-Beauty to your house... As far as your questions... everybody gave great advice, and for every thing that comes up, you can come here and ask...

She looks like a Xena to me, because she looks strong and tough!!!! :-D

[Sharon Alcon]

You should also think of the idea's in case you are not going to keep her. Is another family going to want a dog that is used to sleeping on the bed. If you crate her first then maybe once in awhile as a treat let her sleep on the bed she is used to both. My dogs I crate trained them, but later once that was done let them sleep on their own beds and then later as a treat they can sleep on the bed only when my husband is gone. I have 2 large dogs so someone has to be gone to accomodate. Like someone else said you just should play it by ear first. See how it looks like its going, if you believe your keeping her then start gearing everything towards your ways. But if you still are not sure assume you are preparing her for some one to want to adopt. Feeding them separately is how I feed both mine, they eat different foods so it works out better. You also have to keep in mind you should make Bailey feel special so he doesn't resist the change. He has seniority he was there first he should get some extra special time with you so he doesn't feel left out. As far as the name goes something may just pop into your head when she gets there and you can get more of a feel for her personality. Good luck and don't worry about it that much or I think sometime we creat our own anixiety and it all works out great.

[Priscilla Cronholm]

Thanks for all the great advice. The first night ended up great. I let them meet in the front yard, then back, then my neighbor's (fenced in) then the house. They played and Bailey slept in bed with us as usual and she slept on his bed that I covered with a blanket on our floor. They seem to be getting along great and Bailey seems to be enjoying her. I've made sure not to pet one without petting the other. She's really needy thought so it's been tough.

Today they fought over a plastic bone which I threw out and went to petco to buy 2 identical ones. She seems to be a little food posesive, which Bailey isn't really, but I'll have to work on that.

Thanks again.

[Amber]

Sally is also a little food possessive. What I do is feed Sally and Precious in different places in the house. I have to feed Sally in her crate, as this is the only place she WILL eat (she is DEFINITELY a creature of habit!) and I feed Precious in the kitchen. If Precious gets a little too close to Sally's crate, Sally will growl and snap at her. Have you tried feeding them in seperate rooms?

Sally was also needy when I first adopted her...REALLY needy, but that was because she did not trust ANYONE whatsoever but me because I was the only one that worked so close with her at the shelter, so she looked to me for everything even though my mom is in the same house with us. Is she shy/fearful or does she just stay by your side, etc.? Let me know because I have a book that help me so much with Sally and her shyness. I would love to pass on the recommendation.

[Priscilla Cronholm]

She is not so shy with other humans. She is just looking for attention from anybody. My neighbor came over and she licked him, she loves my husband and seems to like me too. Her and Bailey are getting along OK one minute and the other they are fighting. She seems like she is a growler when she fights, but then it turns naughty and I get so frightened. I want to make sure my Bailey doesn't feel left out or hurt. Mostly it has been over those stupid plastic nylabones so we went out today and got them each a new one. Then they wanted the other one's bone and another fight broke out.

I'm going to try to work with Bailey's trainer to see if she can help. I'm also taking her to his vet tomorrow and asking her for advice, but if you have any recommendations, please let me know as I feel we are a little in over our heads.

Thanks so much.

[Amber]

What do you mean by fighting? Do you mean knock down, all out fighting or do you mean growling and snapping? I may differ from others on this forum, but when Sally growls and snaps at Precious over her treats and things, I let her because I feel she is teaching Precious boundaries. Don't get me wrong, I will step in sometimes when I see Precious going for Sally's bone or whatever she has, but if she doesn't listen to me, I let Sally deal with her. Sally is also the type of dog that is very patient and won't bite.

When I give treats, both dogs get the exact same thing. I never give one dog one thing and the other dog another thing because Precious may feel that whatever Sally has is more valuable and vice versa...of course they usually switch bones or whatever eventually anyway. You may need to seperate them when they get the Nylabones or only get them under supervision if they are going to actually fight over them. Luckily my two don't really fight, they just kinda squabble and then make up quickly! lol

Good luck! I know it took me a little while to get used to having two dogs.

[Priscilla Cronholm]

When they are playing they do growl a lot, but I see tails wagging and everything. Tonight at dinner they each got a Nylabone and were OK for a while and they it broke out. It was growling, knocking over and awful. It was definately fighting.

I know it will take some time for them to figure out who is top dog, but I hope they don't kill eachother.

I'm so concerned because Bailey is so innocent and I don't want her to ruin that.

[Amber]

What do you mean by awful, though? My two can get very loud and scary sounding (and they are only 9 lbs. and 17 lbs.!), but nothing ever comes of it...no spit and definitely no blood. Have you read the article on NILIF yet? I don't have Sally on it because she is still way too shy to do anything on her own except run back and forth from a few different places in the house when I tell her to, but I do have Precious on the program. I also started training her when she was 10 1/2 weeks old, but she has never had another dog come to live in the same house with her before. She is still adjusting to having her home invaded.

You have to understand that as innocent as you think Bailey is, some things come as instinct. Have you read up on dog behavior at all? I hadn't until I adopted Sally and the dyanamic in my household changed. It will help you understand why the dogs are doing what they are doing. I know it sure did help me out a lot!

[Jill Ramsey]

She seems to be a little food posesive, which Bailey isn't really, but I'll have to work on that.

Maybe at the other place with 2 other dogs, she had to be possesive in order to get something to eat.
Try feeding her by hand a few times. Then put a little food in the dish and add the rest a little at a time. Show her that no one is going to take her food.

[Melissa Irr]

We just adopted a little sister for Izzie and things have been going pretty well. For what it is worth, if there is a toy that seems to be of really high value to one or the other, I'd get rid of it. Maybe not forever, but certainly for a while. I don't think having two of the same toy really helps, at least not in our household...whatever Izzie has, even if Cricket has the SAME thing, is what Cricket wants. Luckily for us, Izzie just doesn't care at all and pretty much lets her take what she wants, (and then chases her around the house to get it back and then it turns into a HUGE wrestling play match) but if he's got it, well, she wants it.

Also, a good friend of mine had two pups that were litter mates and she said it was tough going for a while. They are 7 now and get along great, but they had to establish who was the alpha, etc. etc. Calling a behavorist is definitely a good idea. That is what my friend did.

[Susie B]

Are they just fighting over the nylabones? Maybe you could try not giving them those for awhile until they get more used to each other. I still closely supervise my 2 if I give them bones just in case. There hasn't been any fights, but I don't want to take any chances either. I also take away any toy that one or the other seems possessive over.

[heathea]

Priscilla;

please remember that although these dogs are your babies (as all of our dogs are to us) they are dogs and are not humans. No matter what the size, each dog is a distinct member in a pack. You are part of your dogs pack, hopefully the benevolent leader of the pack. Your new dog is trying to est. itself in that pack, where-ever that may be. Having 2 of every toy won't help because no matter what toy each dog has it "wants" the one the other dog has. That toy becomes the "bone of contention". Dogs do not have a human's sense of "fair" and it is wrong to expect them to.

Although I appreciate that you think your dog is innocent, I assure you, he will react on instinct just like your new dog. The best thing I can tell you to do is to implement NILIF (in articles section), as this will help establish your role as benevolent leader and take it slowly with your dogs. Don't just let toys lay around, this doesn't have to be forever, just until they have established themselves within the pack and are comfortable in their surroundings. Toys they get as a treat with NILIF. I would also feed them in different rooms.

I wish you luck and I am glad you are in this forum to get some help. My mother is a person who refuses to believe dogs have a different set of values/emotions than humans do and she is so bad at personification that now that she has a new dog, she is trying to treat it like a baby, which is just making Bella (new dog) more fearful and less able to function as a normal dog.

Take care,
Heather

[Lesly Stevens]

Congratulations! Lucky Snuggles, to find a good and loving forever home!

There are many things you can do to ensure successful integration of the new dog into the family without putting the resident dog's nose out've joint, and prevent any grumbling or outright fights!

Introduce the two of them on neutral ground. Then going for a walk with the two of them is a good strategy. I've been able to walk two dogs by myself succuessfully who would otherwise attempt to fight when together in the house (which we overcame, thank goodness!). You could also bring some treats, and ask each dog to do a sit for you, then reward each.

Implement NILIF into your daily routine.

Crate train, if possible. Doesn't matter if Bailey sleeps with you and Snuggles sleeps in a crate in your room (my two had this arrangement for a long time, until Bo had earned his freedom. I have both crates up, but unlocked, and both dogs use their crates throughout the day - both sleep with me). Although my two have earned their freedom of the house, I still regularly ask them to go into their crates - for a nap, or with a chew toy, or for quiet time. It comes in handy to have them comfortable with doing this. I also will move their crates so they're not always together - to prevent becoming dependent on having the other dog always there. In case of illness (or death, God forbid), of one dog, the other won't become as stressed out when the other dog isn't right there. I sometimes have one dog crated in the spare bedroom, just for this purpose.


Establish a routine, and keep Snuggles in one area of the house the first couple of weeks - use baby gates to keep her confined in that area, and provide a crate, or a bed. This will allow Bailey and Snuggles to check each other out without direct access to each other, enabling Snuggles to retreat should she feel the need. Snuggles is bound to feel some stress, and will welcome the comfort/security of having her own space away from Bailey. Over time, you can allow her the freedom of the house, but do restrict her initially.

Feed each separately, and let each outside to potty separately at first.

Supervise when together at all times, so you can prevent any unwanted behavior rather than having to react to it. The goal is to never allow them to fight. Watch their body language closely to clue you in. If there's any grumbling or worse, remain calm and redirect to move them away from each other quickly.

Provide playtime together with you, and gradually let them play together under your supervision, until such time that you know they have no serious issues with each other. If there are any issues or signs of resource guarding with toys or chew bones, take them away immediately, and try again later. Don't leave toys out - allow for playtime with toys, but take them and put away BEFORE they tire of playing with them.

Provide one-on-one time with you with each dog. This will keep each dog's bond with you stronger than the bond with the other dog. It doesn't have to be for long periods of time, but should be away from the other dog. Going away from the house seems to be a big deal with most dogs, so even if it's just a brief ride, it will mean a lot.

Engage each dog in individual 5-min. training sessions throughout the day. You can also implement together training time, also for brief periods, throughout the day.

Hope you find this of some help, and please let us know how things are going!

Lesly, Maddy, & Bo






So I adopted my 8 month old dog, Bailey, when he was just about 9-10 weeks old. He has become the joy of our lives and today I received an email from the shelter where we got him saying that his sister has been returned. This broke my heart. I offered to help, but when we adopted Bailey we were told they did not place siblings together.

Anyway, today she told me that older dogs are a different thing and that I could take 'Snuggles' home to 'foster'. If everything goes well between the two of them we are going to keep her. Bailey is our first dog and it was hard enough adjusting to him, but do you guys have any advise into me bringing another dog home?
How do you feed them so they don't fight?
Things to avoid? Things to watch for?
Bailey sleeps in bed with us. Where am I going to put her?

Any advise is welcomed. Thanks.

[Priscilla Cronholm]

Thanks so much for the tips. I have both of them on NILIF and make them sit for treats, food, out, in, etc... They are not possessive at all with toys and have gotten better already with the food. Today I fed them side by side and when Bailey finished he went to sniff her dish and they ate together out of the same bowl. She didn't react at all! Bailey has been putting his toys on her head if she won't play with him until she has so many that they start falling and then she's engaged.
We have decided to keep her and now have to figure out how to tell if they can stay in the same kennel. I had booked a vacation for my husband and I months ago before we even thought of getting another dog and have booked a kennell for Bailey. They are booked solid for the rest of the summer but said the 2 can stay in one kennell. I have no idea how to know if they will be OK.

I'm trying to establish a pack leader position with Lyla. Bailey is very aware that I'm the leader and acts as such. Lyla still fights for attention, but I figure that will take time.

I have ordered about 6 books on dog behavior and 2 dog households... one being Feeling outnumbered by Patricia McConnell.

Tonight we are going to see Bailey's trainer for a private session with the two of them. Bailey already loves Lyla and will not leave her alone.

Yesterday her old dog walker came over for a meeting and said that when he used to walk her she was always tense and shy. He was amazed how well she was doing with us. She just hung out on the couch and they both napped.

Thanks again for all the help and I'll keep updating everyone on their progress.

[Amber]

Your two sound like my two! When Sally came into the house, she did not know how to play with toys at all. She has since been taught how to play with a few toys by watching Precious. Precious will still put one or two of her toys on Sally's head if Sally won't play with the toys with her, though.

Sally also fights for attention. If I am petting Precious and Sally is on the same piece of furniture, Sally will stick her head in to get petted as well. I think of that as a good thing for now, as she was SO incredibly shy when she first stepped foot into our house.

As for the boarding situation, is it an indoor/outdoor kennel where part of the kennel is outside and part of the kennel is inside, or is it all inside? The shelter I worked at had indoor/outdoor kennels for our boarders, so that the dogs could go potty outside and sleep and eat inside. If it is indoor/outdoor, then one dog can be placed outside to eat and one can be placed inside to eat and they can place a barrier between them so that they cannot fight over food. If it isn't indoor/outdoor, just tell them your situation and hopefully they will work with you. If not, you may want to look into another boarding facility.

[Priscilla Cronholm]

I'm not sure where they feed the dog. I know the kennell where they sleep is all inside, but they are brought out for play time up to 10 times a day! I'm sure they would work with me as far as the eating situation goes, however, i'm just concerned with them not getting along in the small space all together! How does one know? I guess Lyla used to share a small crate with a miniature docsin (no idea on the spelling) so that might be of help.

[Amber]

Do you know how big the kennel that they will be staying in is (measurements)? I'm sure if they don't get along, the staff will find some other arrangements so that everything will be okay...especially if they have the accomodations to let the dogs out up to 10 times a day!

[Priscilla Cronholm]

So the Kennel measurements are 4 feet wide by 8 feet long... they said they have fit 2 great danes in there so my pups should be fine. They have actually been getting along great lately and I wouldn't think twice about leaving them together in the kennel.
My neighbor and friend has offered again to keep the 2 while we are away. He has an 8 year old black lab that gets along great with my dogs, and he loves our dogs.
Now I'm torn between what to do with them. I would feel more relaxed leaving them at the kennel, but I know they would get more love with my neighbor... plus I'd be saving $700!!!
What do you guys think?

[Sharon Alcon]

I would go with the neighbor if he is up to date with what has gone on with your 2 in the past in case something did come up he would not be stunned. If he is confident if they had a spat he could control the situation. Also would he have access to your yard in case his dog felt like a little alone time he could put your 2 in their own yard for awhile?? Having access to home yard could be something more familar. You know in the kennel the stress of you being gone when the new comer just got used to her new home and family that could make her feel abandoned. It might be smoother for both to be not confined and have that loving feeling still. You don't want to send her back to square one??
But you may also feel better knowing the kennel workers could monitor things all the time??

[Susie B]

I think the neighbor idea would be great!! Establishing a doggy relationship with a neighbor can be very convenient for both of you. He can watch your dogs this time and when he goes away or is late getting home from work, you can take care of his dog. It works great both ways. I have a friend that watches mine when I'm away and the one time they didn't take their dogs, I stayed at their house to take care of all of the dogs. I just wish she lived a little closer.