Introducing a second dog into the house...

[sandyRoe]

I have a 3 yo Cairn terrier which is very territorial. It barks at images of other dogs on television and seems to go mad if it sees a cat in the garden.
How difficult would it be to introduce another dog into the house?

[woofgang]

Have you got a REALLY good reason for wanting to? What is your dog like when it meets other dogs outside the house?

[divegirl]

You don't say what sex your dog is or whether it has been speyed/neutered? That would help.

Lisa x

[sandyRoe]

Hi,
my dog is a 3 yo neutered bitch. It's aggressive towards other dogs out in the street.
The other dog belongs to an old neighbour who can't look after it anymore. His daughter says she can't take it and it may have to be put to sleep.

[divegirl]

Ok! Next question...what age and sex is the other dog?

The easiest combination would be to bring in a younger neutered male, the bitch will most probably dominate the male but as long as he submits to her they could be fine....could also work with an older male too as long as he's not to set in his ways!

Bitch to bitch will most probably end in blood shed as will dog to dog. That said this is also dependant on how confident a handler you are. Are you 'top dog'?
I have five dogs of miked ages, breeds and sexes but I can and do confidently bring any other dog into my home as my 'pack' listen to me....and the cats....lol

Lisa x

[lisajade8]

i would try it gradually and see what happens like ten to fifteen minutes a day if she starts being aggressive then it may not work depending on the age of the other dog if the dog is younger than yours it may be fine if not then let it go

[wendilla]

Years ago I had a male cairn terrier and a yorkshire terrier both at the same time as pups. At about 6 months old the yorkie took ill and had to stay at the vets overnight. When we brought him back the cairn went hell for leather at him and could not have them in the same room however much we tried .I had one jumping up and hanging from the other when I carried him . I really persevered but being 2 male dogs there would have been fatal bloodshed so I had to decide which one to keep . I kept the cairn and the yorkie went to a good home and was ok then.

[wendilla]

yes lisajade has said the right thing . Introduce them slowly and see what happens.