How do you know if your dog is ready

How do you know if your dog is ready/ will be ok with adding another dog. I brought a puppy around and renny had to be held back he seemed really aggressive. He only socializes with 1 other dog also a staffy and they play fight the whole time. He is walked daily but no dog parks near me so the only dogs he sees are in yards we pass and he is always barking and carrying on. I want to get another dog but I don't know how he will go. I don't want him to hurt a little puppy. He is te most placid easy going dog with my kids my biggest concern there is them being licked to death but he seems aggressive to dogs.

I've never had more than one dog at a time, so I can't really advise, but I'm sure that others that have introduced other dogs to their family will be able to help.

Can I ask how old Renny is and how old he was when he joined your family?

And why you want to add another dog to your family?

tbh it does sound as if Renny is under-socialised with other dogs and just does not know how to react with them, and I honestly feel that he needs to feel more comfortable and relaxed with other dogs before another dog is introduced into his home environment. Perhaps you could consider puppy/dog training classes?

He is 7 months and I got him at 8 weeks. My sister has 2 dogs now around 4 with a 3 month age gap and it has worked really well for them. Renny has a lot of attention from the whole family but I do feel bad for him when we are out all day maybe once or twice a week and thought he would like the companionship. I look after Renny but he is my sons bestest friend. As soon as he wakes up he with him as soon as he finishes school he is with him and Renny will ditch anyone once my son is around so hoping my other kids will get a bit more dog time also.

It's never advised to get two dogs too close in age, especially pups. They tend to bond too closely to each other to the expense of their human family, or can fight. Not always the case of course, but it does happen.

You're better off waiting until he's about 18 months old and then see what he's like. But unless you can socialise him properly with other dogs he may never accept another dog into his home. Many staffords still retain that instinct to dislike other dogs.

Thanks Caryll I don't want him to bond to closely and not want as much to do with us, my son would be devastated. I had the puppy brought over again she is this absolutely tiny a little staffy and she was bitch in more ways than 1! She was eating out if his bowl and he was jumping around do excited today not aggressive at all just excited and she went off at him barked her little face off! Lol. And he totally backed down ?? I'm confused about this boy of mine.

I would also advize to wait a bit longer until Renny is fully setlled in with you and has gained your trust and is more confident around you. Keep up with the socialising/meeting other dogs and he will be fine when another is introduced a bit later on.

hi.. we have 2 dogs male/female we waited until beau was well over a year before getting phoebe but please be aware it is hard work the first day we came home beau was not happy and phoebe slept in her travel cage first 2 nights. beau had been 2 puppy class for about 7 months by this time. your first dog has been number 1 for a while its only to be expected he is going to be miffed. phoebe is now 6 months now and you cant separate them but I will say again having 2 is hard work if you are prepared to do the hard work it will pay off like it is for us now..

I've got two dogs but I couldn't really tell you much better information than above! My situation is a bit different since she'd lived with her brother all her life but they got separated, my girl is super clingy with me and LOVES other dogs but even still I waited a long while before we had a new addition. We also made sure we found the right dog for Ebony too so she was happy to the maximum - I think you should wait, see how his personality develops and also so the age isn't too clashing so you can get the best match possible

I personally would not add another dog to your household.

Caryll wrote:It's never advised to get two dogs too close in age, especially pups. They tend to bond too closely to each other to the expense of their human family, or can fight. Not always the case of course, but it does happen.

You're better off waiting until he's about 18 months old and then see what he's like. But unless you can socialise him properly with other dogs he may never accept another dog into his home. Many staffords still retain that instinct to dislike other dogs.

I can relate to Caryll " Many staffords still retain that instinct to dislike other dogs."

Bacchus was very heavily socialised with other dogs as a pup, but has become increasingly threatening towards unfamiliar dogs. He's still fine with the dogs he met when growing up though and will play with them ( although we are running out of dogs who are boisterous enough for him  ). I now put him on his lead as soon as I see a strange dog coming but carry on playing with him and acting as normal as possible.

well harvey was around 9 months old when we brought Chance into our house, but Chance was roughly 18 months old, both male but Harvey has always been amazing with other dogs and massively socialised but he has always allowed other dogs into our house before this.

Ok thanks guys!

in our own situation beau and phoebe are actually brother and sister and we did ask the breeder at the time about getting 2 but they did not recommend it for the reasons stated above and I have to say they were bang on..also beau was just getting used to being left for an hour by himself but that has now stopped we have never used a cage so they will never be left alone no matter how well they get on that does affect your lifestyle but again these things are supposed to be thought about before hand. like others on here beau seems to be getting less tolerant with other males especially since phoebe came..

seems as if I am putting you off but not my intension wouldn't have it any other way our dogs are our familys life they are great company they seem to no when your not at your best and just nip up to give you a cuddle  

Thankyou