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Bringing a second dog home requires a lot of thought. It means a complete change in your "normal" family routine. It matters not whether the new dog is a puppy or an adult.

There are many things to consider before you bring the new pet home.

It is not just a matter of bringing the new dog home and you all will live happily ever after (though that can be a remote possibility.)

You need to take time to think this new undertaking through and mull over these questions:

Are you living on a tight budget? A second dog will require annual vet visits, will need food, toys, perhaps a new crate and possible training classes.

A second dog requires "time." Do you have extra time to play, for walks, time to groom your pet, time for feeding, training and extra clean up?

Does your current dog have any behavioral problems? A
new dog might not be able to teach your old dog to stop misbehaving. You could end up with two dogs each with bad behaviors, making matters worse.

Do you have the patience to adhere to "dog pack' rules? Even though you are the LEADER, two dogs are a pack and one or the other will become the second leader. If it's the new dog, can you adjust to following the rules? The leader dog gets to be "first" in all things and you cannot change that. Trying to change what is natural dog behavior will cause conflict and "big trouble."

Are you prepared for the resident dog to start misbehaving, such as using the house as a potty place, chewing things and just being destructive in general? The newcomer may upset your pet.

Is your current dog friendly with other dogs and people? If your resident dog is a "bully," your chances of finding a "friend" for him/her are slim. Training classes for your current dog maybe the answer before you plunge into getting another dog.

How is the stress level in your household? Have you moved, added a new family member or has anything else happened to upset the normal routine of the household? Dogs stress out during changes in their routine. Times of stress are not a good time to bring home a new dog.

Are you happy with your dog right now? A second dog could bring changes in your dog's personality. The two dogs could really bond
and might prefer being together, ignoring you, except for food and treats. Are you ready to accept that?
Read these questions a few times and answer them truthfully. Being truthful will help eliminate you making a mistake.

Some dogs really don't want a "companion," they are as happy as a clam being the "only dog."

The real question here is "is it you that wants a new dog?"

Once you have made up your mind and truly feel that another dog will be an added benefit to your household. There are a few more things to consider such as: puppy, young adult or an older dog. That will depend on your resident dog.

Puppies are probably easier to introduce to your current dog, as a puppy doesn't appear as an intruder, only as a pest.

If you decide on a puppy, please keep this in mind. Puppies do not realize they are supposed to behave in a certain way until they are about 4 months old.

Until they are old enough to know all this "dog stuff," it will be up to you to protect the puppy from the older dog and protect the older dog from the puppy.

The puppy will drive the older dog crazy at times. Puppies want to play; older dogs will play for a little while then want to stop.

It is up to you to give your older pet, free time away from "fluff and stuff."

Do not under any circumstances leave the puppy and older dog alone without supervision.

Always put the puppy in its crate or put your resident dog in a safe room if you are leaving the house or cannot supervise.

The older dog could unintentionally injure the puppy, if the puppy pesters the older dog too much.

Adding a young adult dog or an older dog to your household requires a lot more tact along with patience and planning. You are going to need help with this one.