Question:
Hi, this won't be happening for awhile if it does. But, will I be able to successfully introduce a second dog into the family?
We have a Labrador Retriever and are considering adding a German Shepherd in the future. Would they hate each other or constantly fight to have a higher rank in the family. Not sure how that heirarchy thing would work with 2 dogs in the house. Also, since the Shepherd is a more dominant dog breed would he be bossy with the Lab even though the Lab will be older?? Or would it be better to get another Lab?
AND, is it dangerous having more than one dog? Do they get more wild and gang up on the humans? Sounds dumb I know.
Any advice appreciated.
Stacey

Answer:
First, you will want to have the lab you have trained, well behaved and through adolescence before you get another.

Heirarchy is not determined by breed, age, sex or who was there first.
As long as you train and socialize the first one you shouldn't have any problems with the second.

Answer:
Personally I think having 2 dogs is great!

I adopted a 9 week old chocolate lab (Jersey) and I adopted my second when she was 10 months old. My second (Shotsy) was 5 months old.

Many people told me I was silly to adopt another one when Jersey was so young but I wanted them to be around the same age and close to the same energy level!

Jersey graduated grade one the week after I adopted Shotsy and soon after I started him in grade one and Jersey in grade two! It was a busy few months for me!

I had good luck with it and I'm glad I didn't wait but I did have to put in alot of hours training them both - which is tough with two.

I took Jersey to meet Shotsy at his foster house before I adopted him just to make sure they got along. They've been best friends ever since! He's part lab, part something - possibly shepherd.

I wanted Jersey to stay the "top" dog but I can't really control that. I did make sure that she kept her regular bed position - which is on a pet bed beside the head of my bed - Shotsy sleeps on his bed which is beside her bed. Originally he wanted her spot but I intervened there. I don't really get involved unless I feel I should and they have never had a big fight - just alot of play - which I stop if I think it's getting too rough.

I did find it tough in the beginning getting them to listen when all they wanted to do was play but we got through it

Basically I think if you have the time and the patience it's great and they love it!!

Answer:
Two dogs are fun, for sure. But you have to have a good dynamic. I think test weekends are the best way to figure out if the two get along. Some dogs just don't get along at all...

And to me, it does get harder and more important to be the alpha when you have more than one dog. You have to prove to each one that not only are you above them, but you are above the other dog too. We have trouble with Boo about that sometimes. He'll go off and follow Jemma when I'm calling him. He gets this idea that she is leading the way to something and he follows her. It doesn't happen often, but once in a long while, we have to correct that.

They do make a pack, and you just have to be sure you're at the very top of it.

To me though, getting opposite sexes and different dominance levels helps with getting along, up to a point. My ideal is an older dominant female with a younger more submissive male. I think age does matter. I've seen some very old, weak dogs never get challenged. There has to be a reason, and it's not really that they have a dominant demeanor.

I've also seen Jemma battle it out with her best buddy- a dog of equal size and age as her. I don't think they know yet who is on top. Too many things are too similar. I like it to be clear in the beginning.

It can switch later, just not in the beginning, when it's all new. You know? You have to be able to predict and control their behavior together until you get them both individually completely under control and into a relationship with you where you can trust them fully. When the alpha is switching back and forth between the two, the power struggle does too, and that can lead to unpredictable situations.

But this is all just my opinion. I've always had two doggies at a time and I just noticed it's easier in some cases than in others.

Answer: