Could we introduce another dog to our home, alongside our existing pet?
This is quite possible, but perhaps surprisingly, much will depend on you and the family as to whether this introduction will work out well. Remember the pack instinct. Dogs are most likely to fight if they are of equal standing. As a result, you need to establish your existing pet as top dog, so as to ensure harmony in the household.
Start by introducing the dogs on neutral territory, outside the home, and then bring them back. Never, ever pay more attention to the newcomer, although this is the instinctive thing to do - it will be seen as a challenge to your established pet's position in the family hierarchy. Always show a preference to his needs, acknowledging him first and paying greater attention to him overall.Keep the dogs apart when feeding them - this is the most likely flash point, especially if the new dog tries to steal food from its new companion.
Some squabbling will probably be inevitable at first though, as your original dog seeks to assert his status as the dominant individual, but once the situation is resolved, with your support, there is then unlikely to be any further significant outbreaks of aggression. Your new dog will read his body language - dogs generally give a series of gestures or warnings before launching into an attack.
The hackles - the hairs on the back of the neck - are raised, while the lips are drawn back to show the teeth, and growling is likely to be heard. This then gives the subordinate dog an opportunity to back down and retreat, without being drawn into a fight. It is often easier to introduce a puppy or young dog alongside an older companion, rather than a dog of a similar age.