We recently purchased a German Shepherd puppy (11 weeks old) from a local breeder. We had been leaving him in our back yard while we were at work, and my sife thought it would be a good idea to get him a friend...We adopted a second German Shepherd from our local pound and he is a sweetheart. We have only had them both together for about 4 days, and for the most part they get along, but when they do fight...it is scary!!
I have read Ed's philosophy on what we should do (get rid of the new one) and I agree...However my wife talked to a local trainer and she told her that with some training they will be just fine and grow to be best of friends. I am concerned with the future fights and also the changes it will cause in our first dogs personality (he is very dominant, and the new one is submissive)

Should we try to make it work, or get rid of the little guy???Any input would be greatly appreciated!

If you get rid of the dog, where will it go?

I have spoken with the Humane society from where we got him, and they said they have had a lot of requests for him since we picked him up...I think he would go to a good home rather quickly

I am going to make a leap of faith to assume that you did your research but made a mistake when you got the second dog, because this forum rarely sees owners with a throwaway-dog outlook.

Four days -- you have had the two for four days, one a puppy, and left them together in the yard? You leave any puppy alone in a yard?

That said, are they both males?

Why are they not separated if they have fought?

The pack leader's (you) job is to protect the pack. When you mention "future fights," that would be "which I will make certain do not happen." And with a puppy, boy -- this goes quadruple.

Did you see this? http://leerburg.com/introducingdogs.htm

"Best of friends" may or may not happen. You have not started out on the right foot. However, backing up and following the protocol I linked you to will be a huge first step, along with a commitment to zero fights allowed. Without that, the second dog does not deserve this. Neither one does.

They have crates, right? How old is the second one?

Stick around. You are going to receive honest answers, based on the dogs' welfare. You are in the right place for that.

 Quote: GenoBonnalie

I have spoken with the Humane society from where we got him, and they said they have had a lot of requests for him since we picked him up...I think he would go to a good home rather quickly

In that case, he may indeed be better off going to a home where dog fights aren't allowed.

P.S. I'm pretty genial and easygoing, by the way. This situation is one of the few that trigger ill will.

But whatever you do, you are in the right place for serious and knowledgeable ongoing advice. Welcome to the forum.

They are both puppies...the newest addition looks to be maybe a week or two younger (they could have even came from the same litter, however the newest pup is smaller)

i'm going to echo connie here. maybe you just didn't mention any of the groundwork/socialization/obedience/appropriate introductions/allowing the dogs to settle and various other things i've missed, but i don't understand how this situation is anything but your fault. but, if what you get out of reading ed's articles and e-books is 'get rid of the second one' rather than 'we've got some things to work on', maybe the dog is better off going back to the humane society and to another home.

if you really are serious about having two dogs, and working with them, there are lots of people here who can help you make this situation work. but i again, agree with connie - the attitude towards fights, the throw-away type attitude -- i've got a real problem with it.

Full blown fighting is not something I would expect to see in puppies that young, and it would signal a big red flag to me regarding their future suitability as house pets..which I assume is your intention for them.

The interactions and experiences they have during these first weeks and months of life will have long lasting implications in their relationships with you and each other and the world as whole.

Are you absolutely sure it was a full blown fight and not the very rough and tumble and potentially loud and mean looking play that is normal for pups and even older dogs?

I also would like to add that a puppy that young should not be left unsupervised, even in the yard, IMO they should be crated or directly supervised at all times.

One puppy is a lot of work at best and downright difficult more often than people ackowledge..and this instance 1+1 does not equal 2, two puppies at once are more like 20 times the work of one.

Geno, it doesn't sound like any pup is the right idea for you right now.

I suspect that you did not do enough research into dog ownership prior to getting both pups.

Leaving any dog, but especially a GSD alone all day in a yard is a recipe for disaster.

If you need to get your dog a "friend" to keep it company, then you don't have the time to dedicate to the dog. All dogs require time and attention, especially GSDs.

My personal advice is take both pups back to your breeder, and ask if the breeder would mind rehoming the second pup for you, this time with a more responsible owner.

Failing that, take the pup to a Breed Rescue, or back to the Humane Society.
Not because two dogs can't work out, but because I don't think you're ready for a dog.

So, we are talking about an 11 week old puppy and an approximately 8 or 9 week old puppy?

Why are they left outside in the backyard at such a young age?

I am not tolerant of the "throw away" mentality at all. But I am also not tolerant of the "oh they'll be fine in the backyard" mentality either.

These two need to be crate trained and taught pack leadership and behavior. It is odd to me that they are fighting at all.

What are they fighting over? Toys? Food?

I would seriously sit down and read Ed's articles (in the article section) about establishing pack structure, housetraining puppies, keeping two dogs (usually a no no, but since you took the responsibility, you owe the puppy a happy upbringing) and crate training.

Plus, dogs do not need "buddies". The only "buddy" they really need is you, the leader, feeder, cleaner, teacher and playtime supervisor. A Kong toy or other comparible, indestructible toy in their crate will keep them happy while you are gone or do not have time to have them out with you. It is the best $10 buddy you can give your pup.

Leaving them in the backyard to do "whatever" unsupervised is only going to cause issues and negative behaviors that you will have to fix later, or dump the dogs in the pound because they are out of control and you can't fix it.