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Bringing a Second Puppy Into the Home
Overview
Many people say that the Maltese is like a potato chip...you can't have just one!
Whether you are thinking about bringing another Maltese into your home or you are thinking about adding another dog into your family...let's discuss the pros & cons of having two Maltese dogs or a Maltese and another type of breed.
We will also discuss ways to help your Maltese cope with their new family member, possible behavioral issues and how to help everyone get along.
Many people say that the Maltese is like a potato chip...you can't have just one!
Whether you are thinking about bringing another Maltese into your home or you are thinking about adding another dog into your family...let's discuss the pros & cons of having two Maltese dogs or a Maltese and another type of breed.
We will also discuss ways to help your Maltese cope with their new family member, possible behavioral issues and how to help everyone get along.
Is having 2 dogs a good idea? Will your Maltese love this or will this cause behavioral issues?
Pros
Cons
1. Expenses. Before you bring a second puppy or dog into your home, please be very sure that you will be able to handle the expenses... dog food, veterinarian checkups and vaccinations being the top 3.
2. While some things will not change drastically, having 2 dogs of course means twice the work. Pouring dog food into 2 dog bowls instead of 1 will not be an issue. Bathing 2 dogs will be an element that you really notice.
The Pack
1. What is great about having brining another puppy or dog into your home with your current Maltese? Double the love is the #1 reason that owners choose to do this. As you know, dogs love unconditionally and provide comfort like no other creature can. As each dog has their own personality, you will have a 2nd "child" to bring even more love into your home.
2. If your Maltese is older and you will be bringing a puppy into the home, your current dog will most likely teach that puppy many , if not all, of the important rules you have enforced. The older, current dog will do this both consciously and unconsciously. Many dogs will take the role of the Alpha dog and purposefully show the younger puppy what is expected. At other times, the younger puppy will learn just by watching and copying the older dog's behavior.
3. Having a 2nd dog for your Maltese will most likely be a great pro. The dogs will keep each other company, especially at times when you are not home. This can greatly reduce the issues of Separation Anxiety that some dogs experience when left home alone.
2. If your Maltese is older and you will be bringing a puppy into the home, your current dog will most likely teach that puppy many , if not all, of the important rules you have enforced. The older, current dog will do this both consciously and unconsciously. Many dogs will take the role of the Alpha dog and purposefully show the younger puppy what is expected. At other times, the younger puppy will learn just by watching and copying the older dog's behavior.
3. Having a 2nd dog for your Maltese will most likely be a great pro. The dogs will keep each other company, especially at times when you are not home. This can greatly reduce the issues of Separation Anxiety that some dogs experience when left home alone.
Cons
1. Expenses. Before you bring a second puppy or dog into your home, please be very sure that you will be able to handle the expenses... dog food, veterinarian checkups and vaccinations being the top 3.
2. While some things will not change drastically, having 2 dogs of course means twice the work. Pouring dog food into 2 dog bowls instead of 1 will not be an issue. Bathing 2 dogs will be an element that you really notice.
The Pack
Helping your new dog get along with your older dog, will depend quite a bit on understanding "The Pack". Dogs, despite being domesticated for such a long time, still have an instinctual need to belong to a pack. Your Maltese dog belongs to a pack...your family. By feeding your Maltese, training your dog, giving commands and so forth...you established the order of the pack. If your Maltese is well behaved, this is because your dog knows that you are the leader of the pack.
When you bring home a new puppy or dog into the home, 2 things will happen:
When dogs are showing aggressive behavior to each other, this is the phase in which both want to claim that coveted position and are "dueling it out"
How to Help Your Dogs
Most often, it is the older dog who is the alpha dog. If you have a young Maltese puppy and are bringing in a larger, older dog into your home, this can be a tricky situation. However, if your Maltese is the older dog and you are bringing in a younger puppy, this situation will usually play out quite well.
See how the 2 dogs interact. Does one enter into the kitchen first when you call them to dinner? Does one get to the door first when you announce it is time for a walk? Does one nudge the other away from their favorite toy? This will be your clue as to who is the "Alpha dog".
Dogs can become very, very stressed when trying on their own to establish their place in the home. You can help quite a bit. Once you determine which one of your dogs will be the "Alpha dog", place their food down first. When you are ready to take them for a walk, put a leash on that dog first.
This does not mean that the 2nd dog will receive any less attention. You should pat, cuddle, play with and show attention to both dogs equally. However, by allowing the Alpha dog to be fed a moment or two before the other, or attaching that leash first...you will be taking the stress off of the dogs and you will be reinforcing the order of the pack.
The dog who is "below" the Alpha dog, is in a wonderful place in the pack ! He or she will have (usually an older, more trained dog) to show them how to behave and to have a "big brother" or "big sister". The 2nd dog will feel safe and secure knowing that he or she has the other dog to depend on.
Two of Everything?
While there are many things that your dogs will share and enjoy together, there are some elements that should be kept separate.
Toys - Dogs can become very, very attached to their dog toys. It will be stressful for both dogs, if they must share toys. If your 1st dog has to share his or her favorite dog toy, this can be very stressful and will most likely cause behavioral issues. Keep the dog toys separate. It works well to have dog toy baskets or containers, in separate corners of the room. Each dog will soon learn where to go for their own toys.
Food & Water - Dogs can become very stressed out, if anyone comes near their food, especially another dog. Even when dogs are best friends, a dog will become aggravated if that other dog is too close to their dog food. Dogs know that food= survival. Each dog should have their own dog food dishes & water bowls. Each dog should also have their dog food & water set down in separate areas. This way, both dogs can eat in peace and not worry about the other dog hovering too close.
Sleeping - The image of 2 dogs sleeping together all cozy in a doggie bed is a wonderful image. However, this must be the choice of the dogs and not the owner. Until and unless both dogs decide that they love snoozing together, allow each to have their own private area. Dogs, as a throwback behavior to their ancestors, usually need to have a place to retreat to. This will be very apparent if you have an older dog and a younger puppy. Your older dog, when tired of the "puppy play" will want to have his or her own area to retreat to and rest in peace and quiet.
Sharing
There are many elements that your Maltese and your new dog can share.
Baths & Grooming - Bath time can be a lot more fun for both you and your dogs when you have two! Grooming, however, should be done separately. Many dogs consider grooming time to be a great bonding time with their owner. Also, to groom correctly, you will want to pay close attention to each dog individually. This will include brushings and teeth cleanings.
Walks & Exercise - Walking can be a great experience, especially if your Maltese is well behaved...he or she will show your new puppy or dog how to follow along with you. The new puppy will copy the behavior of your already behaved Maltese. Exercise will be fun, as both dogs can enjoy this time of chasing after a ball or simply running around together.
To Summarize
If you are planning on bringing a puppy or dog into your home...and you already have a Maltese, understanding this from the perspective of the dogs will help you ease them into this transition and become one "bigger" happy family.
When you bring home a new puppy or dog into the home, 2 things will happen:
- Your Maltese will need reconfirmation that you are still the leader
- Your Maltese will need to figure out who is the "top dog" in the sub-category of the "dogs" in the pack. This can sometimes be easily figured out...or sometimes dogs will fight to take the position of "top dog". There is almost no instance of 2 dogs being equal.
When dogs are showing aggressive behavior to each other, this is the phase in which both want to claim that coveted position and are "dueling it out"
How to Help Your Dogs
Most often, it is the older dog who is the alpha dog. If you have a young Maltese puppy and are bringing in a larger, older dog into your home, this can be a tricky situation. However, if your Maltese is the older dog and you are bringing in a younger puppy, this situation will usually play out quite well.
See how the 2 dogs interact. Does one enter into the kitchen first when you call them to dinner? Does one get to the door first when you announce it is time for a walk? Does one nudge the other away from their favorite toy? This will be your clue as to who is the "Alpha dog".
Dogs can become very, very stressed when trying on their own to establish their place in the home. You can help quite a bit. Once you determine which one of your dogs will be the "Alpha dog", place their food down first. When you are ready to take them for a walk, put a leash on that dog first.
This does not mean that the 2nd dog will receive any less attention. You should pat, cuddle, play with and show attention to both dogs equally. However, by allowing the Alpha dog to be fed a moment or two before the other, or attaching that leash first...you will be taking the stress off of the dogs and you will be reinforcing the order of the pack.
The dog who is "below" the Alpha dog, is in a wonderful place in the pack ! He or she will have (usually an older, more trained dog) to show them how to behave and to have a "big brother" or "big sister". The 2nd dog will feel safe and secure knowing that he or she has the other dog to depend on.
Two of Everything?
While there are many things that your dogs will share and enjoy together, there are some elements that should be kept separate.
Toys - Dogs can become very, very attached to their dog toys. It will be stressful for both dogs, if they must share toys. If your 1st dog has to share his or her favorite dog toy, this can be very stressful and will most likely cause behavioral issues. Keep the dog toys separate. It works well to have dog toy baskets or containers, in separate corners of the room. Each dog will soon learn where to go for their own toys.
Food & Water - Dogs can become very stressed out, if anyone comes near their food, especially another dog. Even when dogs are best friends, a dog will become aggravated if that other dog is too close to their dog food. Dogs know that food= survival. Each dog should have their own dog food dishes & water bowls. Each dog should also have their dog food & water set down in separate areas. This way, both dogs can eat in peace and not worry about the other dog hovering too close.
Sleeping - The image of 2 dogs sleeping together all cozy in a doggie bed is a wonderful image. However, this must be the choice of the dogs and not the owner. Until and unless both dogs decide that they love snoozing together, allow each to have their own private area. Dogs, as a throwback behavior to their ancestors, usually need to have a place to retreat to. This will be very apparent if you have an older dog and a younger puppy. Your older dog, when tired of the "puppy play" will want to have his or her own area to retreat to and rest in peace and quiet.
Sharing
There are many elements that your Maltese and your new dog can share.
Baths & Grooming - Bath time can be a lot more fun for both you and your dogs when you have two! Grooming, however, should be done separately. Many dogs consider grooming time to be a great bonding time with their owner. Also, to groom correctly, you will want to pay close attention to each dog individually. This will include brushings and teeth cleanings.
Walks & Exercise - Walking can be a great experience, especially if your Maltese is well behaved...he or she will show your new puppy or dog how to follow along with you. The new puppy will copy the behavior of your already behaved Maltese. Exercise will be fun, as both dogs can enjoy this time of chasing after a ball or simply running around together.
To Summarize
If you are planning on bringing a puppy or dog into your home...and you already have a Maltese, understanding this from the perspective of the dogs will help you ease them into this transition and become one "bigger" happy family.
