Multi dog Families

[NicksBride]

For those of you ladies out there who have two dogs in your house hold or more I have some questions for you!
I just introduced our third dog Moose into our family. We have taebo who is a black lab/great dane and a Chihuahua now Moose who is a black lab/ Hound and is 13 weeks.

1. Did you get your dogs at seperate times
2. How did they get along the first few days?
3. How long did it take them to get along
4. Any disasters?
5. how are they now together?

Just curious to see if the biting and annoyances will end!!!!!

[Nik54545]

I have 4 dogs...we got each at seperate times. The first few days weren't the most pleasant but once they realized that they weren't being replaced, they were ok. I made it a point to feed the one I had longest first, the second longest next and so on...same with letting them out...they went out in an order and still do MOST days. It only took a few days for them to realize that no one was going anywhere...there were minor scraps here and there but they worked it out themselves. They set up their pack order with Scott and I as Alpha. Charlie lost some fur one day over a dinner time issue...we just kept a close eye on them until they had everything worked out and everyone is fine now...no one messes with the anothers bowl anymore either, haha. Now...they are wonderful! Inseperable...they are gonna be so lost when we go on our honeymoon, haha. We always have other peoples dogs over too...after a bit, everyone gets along just fine.

[allysa04]

I have 2 dogs, we got our Yorkie first, then the Westie..the Yorkie had issues, he felt like he was being abandoned...so we just made sure to give each equal attention, they didn't really fight, persay, but they had their snaps...just a few hours and they were okay with each other, I just never left them alone together..just in case. We crate our dogs when we are not home, so I just put the divider in the crate for the first few days, and they kidna got to know eachother like that, safely. But they are ok now, they love to play and have fun with eachother. Just make sure not to favor one dog more than the others, ya know?? Its hard because you want your new dog to love you, but your other dogs may feel left out because of it, and it may cause jealousy fights!

[NicksBride]

Thank you both for the advice, I love them both equally and actually loving Taebo more then the puppy and visa versa some days. I know it has only been two days and I need to give it time. I am just a huge worry wart. Taebo is NOT growling or attacking or anything, but he does nip and bark and such, but I just wanted to make sure it was normal and it sounds like it is for the first few weeks/months. I will make sure to put Moose in his crate when I need to have one on one time with Taebo and visa versa. My hope is when they are older they get along and are almost best friends... that is my hope anyway

[allysa04]

If I were you I wouldn't crate them when you decide to give one love over the other, I would just sit on the floor with them, and let them know that its okay to share mommy...and to love on them both...if they start to fight intervene...

[NicksBride]

I do get down on the floor with them ALL the time and they do seem to like that. I will try and do that more as they seem to really enjoy it. The problem with taht sometimes is Moose will jump on my lap and taebo will start head butting him and nipping him to get off. But I guess that is just sibling rivalry. they just need to get over it I guess. hahaha

[Nik54545]

Sounds like Taebo is just trying to make his status in the pack known to the newcomer. They'll work it out. Dogs are awesome like that!

[katieandalex]

Well, we are not multi-dog...yet...but my sister is multi-dog. They have a 4 or 5 year old chihuahua/terrier mix (male) and a 8 year old chihuahua (female). They got the chi/terrier as a puppy first. Then about a year or so ago, they got the 2nd pup when she was 7 years from an animal shelter. At first the male hated having another dog around, but she was very loving to everyone and even the male, though he snubbed her off. Now they get along great and cuddle up together. But it took a while before he started coming around. But there were no major problems between them....


But I would like to know about this because once we get settled in our house, we are thinking of getting another cat and another dog....so it will be craziness in our house for a while.

[NicksBride]

its GREAT fun to watch the two lie together and play together and when we are making dinner they sit and watch so it is working out SLOWLY. Taebo is just as Nikki said making himself known that HEY I am the head of the pack. They slept together last night ont eh floor under the coffee table. Tabeo is soo well mannered and lovesother dogs, he just gets to rough sometimes, but hopefully Moose will put him in his place as well. he is just SOo tiny right now. hahaha

[WebLady]

1. Did you get your dogs at seperate times
We had our boy (Enzo) about 2 1/2 mos before getting our girl (Roxy)

2. How did they get along the first few days?
They got along fine, but Roxy was a wild and crazy puppy so they spent most of the time wrestling. It was hard for me to get use to since Enzo was so calm and laid back.

3. How long did it take them to get along?
I think they have always gotten along ok, but I wouldn't leave them alone for a while. They started to calm down a bit after a couple of months.

4. Any disasters?
Roxy broke her leg about two months after we got her. I don't really think it was Enzo's fault, but they were getting a little wild in the house. But Italian Greyhounds are prone to leg breaks more than more common breeds.

Puppy teeth are sharp and Enzo would get all kinds of scratches from their play sessions.

5. how are they now together?
They still love to wrestle and play, but I think they love each other. Enzo lets her boss him around a little and Roxy grooms him some at night to make up for it. They both sleep with us and love to cuddle together :wub: