Cat owners, for example, are much more likely to adopt a second … "I got Fluffy first, and he was very shy and fearful during the first few days. Some months after that I introduced a new puppy who he at first bossed and later became friends. I felt like it was disrespectful to the relationship with the animal I lost,” she says, adding that it is ultimately an individual decision. Gender matters with a second dog. Expect a change in social order. If you do eventually get another dog, take the time to select a good match that will suit your current dog's personality. Second Dog Success Stories. Getting a New Pet After Loss. Rushing to get another dog to fill the gap and ease Rover's pain may just add more stress and confusion to the grieving process. Reply November 24, 2018 at 5:09 pm Moses does not advise getting a new pet as soon as one dies. One day when we have both healed we might get another dog but if that happens the dog can never replace our special dear dog Queenie. 5. You may see more "challenges" between pets. You need to make sure your second dog is compatible with the first. One cat showed serious grief symptoms after his dog friend died for several months and I had to give extra attention and stimulate play to get him feeling better. He would hide and show shyness when approached. Be wary of adopting another dog right away, especially if you own an older dog. Tips on Choosing a New Pet Don't make a hasty decision. Sally, a black and tan Shepherd they'd had since puppyhood, died at age 13; she had nerve degeneration in her hind legs that progressed quickly. The answers, of course, depend on the dogs. Meanwhile a coworker had their dog for 16 long years and only put the dog down due to issues getting up. When one dog in a two-dog household is gravely ill, it may help for the healthier dog to be present during euthanasia, or at least for the animal to see the deceased dog’s body, says Dr. Pachel. Though a small gesture, it was a comfort to many of our Guardians. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule, but generally, gender will play an essential role in whether your new dog will get along with your resident dog. Two dogs are as easy to take care of as one dog, if your first dog has been well trained and will model good dog-manners to the new dog. But adopting Baxter was no easy decision: After losing the second of their two German Shepherds, it took the family four years to get to a point where they could imagine getting another dog. If you have more than one surviving pet, it is common for them to vie with each other for alpha status. One of the most touching ways Guardians have used to memorialize their furbabies after the horrific attack on September 11th., 2001 was adding a US flag at their babies Rainbow Memorial Residency. Statistically, majority of people only care for one dog at a time, and many refuse to consider adopting a second dog. “It’s very tempting, but I was never a person who could do that. Instead I get one died at shortly after turning 6 from bloat, lost a 2 year old from bloat again, lost another young dog at 1.5 years from cancer, and now last month lost my last girl at 3 years to kidney disease. If the puppy doesn’t get the hint, Phifer suggests stepping in so that the older dog doesn’t escalate the correction. Such luxury honestly. Introducing a new dog or puppy into a multiple-dog household is done much like single-dog introductions. And I agree the females will often get testy with one another. Simply bring out one or two of the current dogs at a time to meet the new dog. Mojo, a 7-week-old German Shepherd Dog puppy, with Fluffy, a 4-month-old mixed Fox Terrier.