ADDING A SECOND DOG

DOES GENDER MATTER?

Adding a second dog to your family can be an exciting step. For one, it helps to reduce separation anxiety if you need to leave your pups alone, and it also gives your dog the added stimulation of a companion, rather than being reliant on you for all of their interaction.

Interestingly, getting a second dog can also reduce aggression and make training both dogs easier. Having said this, adding a second dog to your family is not something you should do without serious consideration and forethought. First, you need to decide if you have the space, time and resources to care for a second dog, and second, you need to select the right dog for your particular situation. Choosing the ‘right’ dog requires consideration of breed, activity level, size and, crucially, gender. Here we look at the impact gender has on making your two-dog household a happy and harmonious place.

HOW MUCH DOES GENDER MATTER?

There are, of course, exceptions to the rule, but generally, gender will play an essential role in whether your new dog will get along with your existing dog. Experts agree that the second dog should be of the opposite sex to your current dog for the best possible chance of compatibility. Even if your current dog is sweet and wellmannered, there is a high chance that she or he will begin to display aggression if a dog of the same sex joins the household. Two males, especially intact males, may fight over toys, attention and affection from their humans. There may also be some ‘territory marking’ in your home that is difficult to get under control. Similarly, two female dogs will often struggle with dominance issues, resulting in generalized aggression.

Instead, if you put a male and female dog together, the results are usually much better, with less fighting. This is particularly the case if both dogs are neutered.

REASONS WHY TWO DOGS MIGHT FIGHT:

Fighting between two dogs of the same gender in the household occurs for a number of reasons:

• If the dogs are not neutered, they may try to establish dominance over each other.

• If one of the dogs is larger than the other, the smaller dog may feel threatened and act aggressively in response.

• Another common reason for fighting between two male dogs is simply jealousy. If one dog perceives that the other is receiving more attention from you, he may become agitated and fight.

• It’s important to remember that some dogs simply don’t get along. Like us, dogs have their own personalities and preferences, and there’s no guarantee that two dogs of any sex will be compatible.

• Resource guarding is one of the most common reasons for conflict between two male dogs. This happens when one dog perceives that another dog is a threat to a valuable resource, such as food, toys or even you. Resource guarding can lead to serious fights and even injuries, so it’s important to be aware of this behaviour and take steps to prevent it.

CAN SAME-SEX DOGS GET ALONG?

As mentioned, experts recommend adopting a dog of the opposite sex, but two dogs of the same sex can get along in certain situations. It all depends on each dog’s personality and level of dominance. If you do decide to get two dogs of the same gender, most experts would recommend, however, that you choose a much younger dog than your existing dog. For instance, introducing a male puppy to an older male dog will be less intimidating for the older dog and make him less likely to protect his territory and resources. However, there is still a risk of aggression being displayed as the puppy grows up.

IT'S ABOUT MORE THAN JUST GENDER?

While you should consider gender when choosing a new dog, it’s not the only thing that matters. First, you need to decide if you can take on the responsibility and cost of two dogs – two dogs need twice the level of commitment and twice the amount of money! Secondly, you need to decide how stable your home life is. If you are thinking of moving house soon or are about to welcome a new baby into the family, the timing is definitely not optimal for bringing another dog into the mix. Then you need to consider the level of training of both your dog and the dog you are considering adopting, to understand how easy it will be to work with them together. You also need to consider your dog’s personality – is he friendly towards other dogs, or does he prefer the company of humans? You should also consider the age of your existing dog. If he is older or suffering from ill health, it is probably unfair to expose him to a younger dog with lots of energy that disrupts his lifestyle. Then you need to factor in breed and temperament. If you have a huge dog, adding a tiny dog is not a great idea and vice versa, and if one dog has low energy levels and the other has high energy levels, this is also bound to create issues.

FINAL THOUGHTS

A second dog can be a great addition to the family, but choosing one requires much thought. Consider your current dog’s needs, personality, temperament and gender when selecting a new dog, and you are far more likely to create best friends for life!