Adding a second Doberman to the family!

[JennG]

The time has come for June to get a sibling! She's a little over 2½ at this point and I finally feel ready to tackle the puppy stage all over again. We're getting our new pup from the same breeder that we got June from and they will have some shared DNA. We go in just a few days to pick out our little guy and I'm already so excited!

That being said... if you have any advice on introducing our existing dog to a new puppy or what the routine with 2 should look like; please let me know!


A picture of the future "big sister", simply because I can't resist showing her off.

 

[JanS]

Congratulations! That's a great age difference so things should go well for you.

As for introducing them, we'll put the older one outside for a little while to let the little one explore the house a little, then introduce them both on leashes. If the older one is a little resentful at first we separate them with a gate to let them get to know each other through that. You don't always have to do that but sometimes it helps. Our last 3 haven't needed it since the older one accepted them right away.

 

[JennG]

Congratulations! That's a great age difference so things should go well for you.

As for introducing them, we'll put the older one outside for a little while to let the little on explore the house a little, then introduce them both on leashes. If the older one is a little resentful at first we separate them with a gate to let them get to know each other through that. You don't always have to do that but sometimes it helps. Our last 3 haven't needed it since the older one accepted them right away.

Thank you for the advice!

I finally feel really confident in June's training, which is why I waited until now to get another. Plus, I think she's definitely still young enough to be playful and match the energy levels of a puppy.

I'll be doing exactly as you said with having June in the backyard when I first bring the pup home, so he can sniff around a little first before she's all up in his business. We already have a baby gate installed on the room where his crate will be kept. So I can definitely employ that method of separation if needed.

Fingers crossed it all goes smoothly and they become instant best friends.

 

[Kaiser2016]

Congratulations! Can’t wait for all the puppy pics! LOL. I’m sure June will love him!

 

[Katyusharocket]

CONGRATULATIONS!

I'll be following this thread and if you write about your experiences and what you did and results, etc., I'll be paying close attention there too!

 

[Rits]

Congratulations!!

Yup physical barriers are very healthy to have in a home with multiple dogs. These can be baby gates, wire crates, and xpens.

I can't believe no one has asked!? I know you don't have him yet but any pics of the little one?

 

[LifeofRubie]

how exciting!!!!

Intro's can be scary! We actually brought Rubie with us when we picked up Moo and his breeder insisted we bring her inside to meet him. Neutral turf and she could help us navigate there and then if something odd happened. Rubie was perfect: sniffed the little furball and then went off to smell literally anything else (indifference is good for Rubie lol). On the ride home, Moo baby was in a crate next to Rubie.

Routine with 2, especially when one is a baby, can be challenging, for sure, but you'll settle into something in no time. The biggest challenge for us for potty training Moo. We did ALL the right things with timing and frequency and this and that. He was just so obsessed with Rubie that he couldn't focus on pottying we were also in a new house and didn't have sod in the backyard so it was a mud pit. We think he may have been a little confused about what door meant potty time because it was often times "where is the least muddy path to cross to get to grass?"

 

[JennG]

Congratulations!!

Yup physical barriers are very healthy to have in a home with multiple dogs. These can be baby gates, wire crates, and xpens.

I can't believe no one has asked!? I know you don't have him yet but any pics of the little one?

Thank you!

We don't have any pictures of our boy yet, we have to decide between the two black/rust males of the litter first. (I have a feeling that it's going to be a very tough decision.) Once we figure that out on Wednesday, I'll update this post with pictures of him.

 

[JennG]

how exciting!!!!

Intro's can be scary! We actually brought Rubie with us when we picked up Moo and his breeder insisted we bring her inside to meet him. Neutral turf and she could help us navigate there and then if something odd happened. Rubie was perfect: sniffed the little furball and then went off to smell literally anything else (indifference is good for Rubie lol). On the ride home, Moo baby was in a crate next to Rubie.

Routine with 2, especially when one is a baby, can be challenging, for sure, but you'll settle into something in no time. The biggest challenge for us for potty training Moo. We did ALL the right things with timing and frequency and this and that. He was just so obsessed with Rubie that he couldn't focus on pottying we were also in a new house and didn't have sod in the backyard so it was a mud pit. We think he may have been a little confused about what door meant potty time because it was often times "where is the least muddy path to cross to get to grass?"

Thank you for that info on potty training! I wouldn't have thought of that, but now I'll be sure to leave June in the house as often as possible when taking the pup out to potty. June took to potty training instantly and never had a single accident in her crate/the house, I'm hoping to get just as lucky this time around.

 

[MichiH]

The time has come for June to get a sibling! She's a little over 2½ at this point and I finally feel ready to tackle the puppy stage all over again. We're getting our new pup from the same breeder that we got June from and they will have some shared DNA. We go in just a few days to pick out our little guy and I'm already so excited!

That being said... if you have any advice on introducing our existing dog to a new puppy or what the routine with 2 should look like; please let me know!


A picture of the future "big sister", simply because I can't resist showing her off.
View attachment 143583

Congratulations! I have zero insight as I am a newbie here. Gorgeous Doberman and love her name! Can’t wait to hear more and see your new little guy!

 

[Ddski5]

Pretext- 1st Doberman- Ragnar- male.
2nd Doberman- Freyja- female.

I think the biggest thing that was told to me but I did not truly understand was that you must set aside time for each individual Doberman. I tried this many many times but felt guilty when one was left in the house when trying to train and bond with the other. So I kinda didn’t do individual time and did a lot of everybody outside and split attention that way.

I didn’t realize it until prob 8-12months that the individual time is imperative to establish a true bond and set individual expectations. I could tell my error when I realized Freyja had bonded more with Ragnar than me and she was fixated on his actions first and then would respond to my commands. She would listen and adhere by herself but if Rag was out with us it was more difficult to get her to listen/focus on me.

Now don’t get me wrong, Ragnar’s presence definitely helped train Freyja. She was a quick learner because she mirrored Ragnar to a T. Ragnar would stop and drop on a dime- very disciplined with his obedience skills but is was more off him than me, esp in her younger years.

So lesson learned was that no matter how bad I felt or how unfair it was to have one in the crate while bonding and training with the other….it’s best for both of them in the long run to give individual specific time/training.

Next-
Be prepared for loud and aggressive Doberman play that can be misconstrued as aggressive combat. I always enjoyed watching mine play and really miss it. I could sit for hours and watch them- even had a couple idiotic strangers tell me how inhumane I was allowing my dogs to fight and hurt each other. They never owned Dobermans and had no clue that’s how they play.

Next-
Double the food
Double the poop in the yard.
Self explanatory.

Next-
Ragnar was my first and he was very attached to me- we had a strong bond. Freyja came along and moved in on his time/attention with me. He no longer had me 100% and I think this got to him some. Ragnar and Freyja were not like @JanS two- Elroy and Olive. Them two absolutely adored each other. My two loved being with each other and played/loved each other but when it can to sharing time with me…I could tell there was some jealousy.

Really hope everything goes great for you. No doubt double the Doberman= double the trouble but also double the love and admiration.

Good Luck.

 

[JennG]

Pretext- 1st Doberman- Ragnar- male.
2nd Doberman- Freyja- female.

I think the biggest thing that was told to me but I did not truly understand was that you must set aside time for each individual Doberman. I tried this many many times but felt guilty when one was left in the house when trying to train and bond with the other. So I kinda didn’t do individual time and did a lot of everybody outside and split attention that way.

I didn’t realize it until prob 8-12months that the individual time is imperative to establish a true bond and set individual expectations. I could tell my error when I realized Freyja had bonded more with Ragnar than me and she was fixated on his actions first and then would respond to my commands. She would listen and adhere by herself but if Rag was out with us it was more difficult to get her to listen/focus on me.

Now don’t get me wrong, Ragnar’s presence definitely helped train Freyja. She was a quick learner because she mirrored Ragnar to a T. Ragnar would stop and drop on a dime- very disciplined with his obedience skills but is was more off him than me, esp in her younger years.

So lesson learned was that no matter how bad I felt or how unfair it was to have one in the crate while bonding and training with the other….it’s best for both of them in the long run to give individual specific time/training.

Next-
Be prepared for loud and aggressive Doberman play that can be misconstrued as aggressive combat. I always enjoyed watching mine play and really miss it. I could sit for hours and watch them- even had a couple idiotic strangers tell me how inhumane I was allowing my dogs to fight and hurt each other. They never owned Dobermans and had no clue that’s how they play.

Next-
Double the food
Double the poop in the yard.
Self explanatory.

Next-
Ragnar was my first and he was very attached to me- we had a strong bond. Freyja came along and moved in on his time/attention with me. He no longer had me 100% and I think this got to him some. Ragnar and Freyja were not like @JanS two- Elroy and Olive. Them two absolutely adored each other. My two loved being with each other and played/loved each other but when it can to sharing time with me…I could tell there was some jealousy.

Really hope everything goes great for you. No doubt double the Doberman= double the trouble but also double the love and admiration.

Good Luck.

Thank you for giving me so much detailed advice!

I'm definitely going to have to make sure I give them adequate training/attention separately. My husband will be gone for the first 8 weeks that the pup is home, so I'm sure that aspect might become a little bit of a struggle. But I'm glad that you reiterated just how important it is.

 

[JennG]

Just picked out our little guy. One week old and a little chunk.

 

[Katyusharocket]

I am so happy for you guys! He's so cute! It's going to be a great day bringing him home!

 

[Gelcoater]

Next-
Be prepared for loud and aggressive Doberman play that can be misconstrued as aggressive combat. I always enjoyed watching mine play and really miss it. I could sit for hours and watch them- even had a couple idiotic strangers tell me how inhumane I was allowing my dogs to fight and hurt each other. They never owned Dobermans and had no clue that’s how they play.

This is very true!!!!
Like gladiators. Hard bumping into one another, standing up on back legs, sounds ferocious.
Had a friend unfamiliar ask why I’d let my dogs fight like that.
Snapped my finger and both skid to a stop, instant attention to whatever I was about to say or sign at them.
Said see? Fighting dogs don’t stop fighting on a finger snap. This is just how they play.



To the OP
When we got our boy Rocky we brought Our female to the place we were getting him from. Neutral territory and there were several other Dobers there all interaction together.
It helped tremendously in there being no tension.

Years later when we brought home Millie I called ahead to the wife we were almost home. She leashes up Rocky and took him out on one of our walking loops.
Millie my daughter and I leashes up Millie and did the same loop, eventually catching up to them.
In a way, we let her track him through the marking he always does.
Rocky is an asshole to other dogs at first meeting.
So we walked about a mile as a pack before we ever let them stop and smell one another. Gave them both a chance to calm down a bit and again on neutral territory before turning for home.


Good luck and take lots of pics!!

 

[Two Dobes]

Had to laugh....non dog people used to be frightened when our two would start....and yep; snap fingers and they comply as though to say "What?"
This is a mild form of that "rocking around the house" of our two over 10 years ago...had to share

 

[Bob M]

We’re trying to introduce now.
KC (female spayed and trained) will be 5 in a couple weeks.
Have a friend that got a pup (male not neutered and no training) 10 months old and wasn’t ready for the intensivety and stimulation that’s required.
Wants me to home him.
KC has met many dogs and been fine.
The 2 times we’ve had them together there has been a lot of barking and chasing (no biting or fighting) until they both are exhausted.
I’m not worried about them hurting each other, I am concerned about the anxiety…
I think they will be bestest friends.
Thoughts?

 

[Ravenbird]

KC (female spayed and trained) will be 5 in a couple weeks.
Have a friend that got a pup (male not neutered and no training) 10 months old

With the ages and being opposite sex, there should be no problems of the dogs getting along, especially with your KC being trained and controllable.

I am concerned about the anxiety…

anxiety of the new pup or KC having to deal with a new family member? Proper training of the young dog should include a LOT of one-on-one training without KC present. Either in another room in the house or outside while you train inside or the other way around. This might make her anxious more than anything (feeling left out).

If the young male has anxiety issues where he is now he will likely have the same issues in your home until you address them head on with training and leadership to build his confidence.

If you bring home the new-to-you puppy, feel free to start a new thread with an introduction and photos!

 

[JanS]

I am concerned about the anxiety

Your anxiety or theirs? If you stay calm, they should too. The boy might need some extra training if he doesn't have much but it's very doable.

 

[Bob M]

Kids are doing great! He is so smart and is learning well after 2 sessions.
I’ve had 5 Dobermans before these, but never 2 at the same time.
I’m amazed at the different personalities!
Her ears are mostly airplane (until necessary) and tail wags 1000 times a second!
His ears are always tall and tail seldom wags.
I suspect this will change as he feels more comfortable?
They are great together and that’s all I was looking for!