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Posted by Lisa I thought I was going to have problems in the first week with my westie after adopting a second (both adult males, similar ages, one neutered one not). It has now been about six weeks and I have to say they are getting along great now although they do still like their own space, they have learnt to just get on with it and learn to live with each other. They now happily play together round the house and have more or less accepted each other now, but still have the odd disagreement usually when it comes to food treats or toys (always be around when playing with their toys or feeding times to supervise). It is nothing serious when they do 'bicker' although it does sound worse than it actually is - no blood is drawn and stand off's never last longer than a couple of seconds! The last one was a few weeks ago so to me they are settling. I am not sure if it helps them being the same breed or not, but advice I was given was just to let them get on with getting to know each other in their own time whether it is weeks or months, they do adapt. If they have a fight leave them too it as it is needed to help solve their alpha/submissive issues and there always has to be this in groups of dogs living together. I can now feed mine at the same time in the same room which I didnt think I would ever do and my first westie is happy now to let the newer one play with his toys, he is the boss of the two and seems to be happy he has his place and the new one has his so all is rosy now!! Persevere as it is early days and you will find things will settle in their own time. I found some random google searches on the internet on the subject gave me plenty advice and from other dog owners as I panicked in the first week too and was thinking I had made a mistake getting another!
on July 31, 2007, 7:09 am, in reply to "adding a second dog"
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