Bringing home a second dog was one of the best (and craziest) decisions we ever made. When we brought little Coraline home, our boy Tarzan had been our one and only for years. He was used to having all the attention, all the toys, and let’s be real—all the snacks. 😅
Cora was this tiny, feisty ball of energy and Tarzan was like, “Wait, who is this?”
It was an adjustment for all of us. But over time, we learned a lot. Here are the top 3 things that helped us transition from a one-dog household to two—and made sure both dogs felt safe, loved, and part of the pack.
1. Set Up Separate Safe Spaces with a Gate
When we brought Cora home, we used a doggie gate to keep her and Tarzan mostly separated in the beginning. It wasn’t just about physical space—it gave both dogs a chance to adjust without pressure.
Cora was obsessed with Tarzan from day one—she’d run up and try to kiss him all over his face every time she saw him. It was adorable, but a lot. 😅 Tarzan was mostly okay with it, but we quickly noticed he started guarding us—especially when Cora would come near during cuddle time or if we were giving him attention.
Having the gate helped us control their time together and gave Tarzan space to feel secure without competition. Over time, we slowly increased their time around each other—and walks really helped. They walked great side by side from the start, and those walks became their bonding time.
Tip: Go slow. Even if your older dog seems chill, a new puppy can stir up unexpected behaviors like guarding or jealousy. Respect both dogs’ comfort zones.
2. Supervise All Interactions (Even If It Looks Like Play)
Puppies don’t always understand boundaries, and older dogs might tolerate a lot—until they don’t.
When we brought Cora home, she was instantly obsessed with Tarzan. She’d run up and kiss him all over his face, full of love and excitement. For the most part, Tarzan was okay with it… but we started noticing something new: he began guarding us, especially when Cora would come near during cuddle time or if we were giving him attention.
That’s when we realized: even sweet interactions need supervision. Just because no one’s growling doesn’t mean everything’s fine. We had to watch their body language closely and step in when Tarzan looked stiff or overwhelmed.
What helped: Giving each dog individual attention and space, and guiding their time together—especially indoors. On walks, though, they were total naturals. It was like walking brought out their best behavior and gave them a sense of partnership.
3. Keep the Routine (and Trust the Process)
When a new puppy enters the picture, it’s tempting to change everything. But dogs thrive on structure—and we knew that keeping Tarzan’s routine steady would help him feel secure.
We kept the same feeding times, walk schedule, and bedtime routine. Tarzan still got his solo cuddles, and Cora slowly started joining in. Over time, we blended her into those routines so they both felt included without anyone losing their rhythm.
Now, two months in, they’re fully integrated. Both dogs are free to roam the entire house together, day and night. 🙌
But there are still some boundaries that help:
- We feed them separately and still use our doggie gate during meals and snacks.
- When we leave the house, we shut the upstairs bedroom doors—just to avoid any temptation or puppy chaos.
- We also installed a Ring camera inside so we could keep an eye on things while we were gone. It gave us peace of mind and helped us trust the process.
At first, we’d only leave the house for 20 minutes at a time—and let me tell you, Cora got into everything she wasn’t supposed to. 😅 But now? We can be gone for a few hours, and they’re totally fine. No torn-up shoes, no drama—just two pups napping or hanging out like they run the place.
Reminder: A good routine doesn’t mean being strict—it means being consistent. Be patient, adjust when needed, and celebrate progress (even if it’s just a calm 20 minutes alone).
Final Thoughts
Bringing home a new puppy is exciting but also a huge shift—for you and your original dog. Be patient, go slow, and give grace (to yourself too). The bond they’ll form over time is 100% worth the chaos in the beginning.
Now, Tarzan and Cora are like an old married couple: sometimes annoyed, always loving, and definitely inseparable. 💙💗
Have you added a second pup to your pack? Share your tips or stories in the comments!
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