Funny..I have been considering the same thing. I just finished having a pup from 91/2 weeks to almost 5 months. I was helping out a friend who need a place for her pup.

I had never had 2 dogs before, and had previously owned a totally dog aggressive GSD. I now have a very social 2 year old. So I gave it a try. I introduced them slowly. This pup was a real baby so I kept my dog on leash for a while. I always fed them separately, and NEVER left them alone together until WAY later. The puppy was only in his crate in the house, and occasionally with me on leash in the house. I treated the pup like a newcomer who had to earn his freedom.

I could tell there was no animosity from my dog, so I would sit in the back yard and play with them or supervise their play. He would ignore the pup sometimes, and others would show his teeth. If I thought he needed time out, I would put the pup into his crate. Anyway, to make a long story short, I found out my male is an awesome teacher. He is not a possessive dog by nature, and has nerves of steel. The pup adored him and at the end, I was comfortable leaving them in the yard together. But I will say, my dog probably does not miss him. I think in his own mellow way, he likes being the center of attention!

 Quote: Carol Blumlein

Funny..I have been considering the same thing. I just finished having a pup from 91/2 weeks to almost 5 months. I was helping out a friend who need a place for her pup.

I had never had 2 dogs before, and had previously owned a totally dog aggressive GSD. I now have a very social 2 year old. So I gave it a try. I introduced them slowly. This pup was a real baby so I kept my dog on leash for a while. I always fed them separately, and NEVER left them alone together until WAY later. The puppy was only in his crate in the house, and occasionally with me on leash in the house. I treated the pup like a newcomer who had to earn his freedom.

I could tell there was no animosity from my dog, so I would sit in the back yard and play with them or supervise their play. He would ignore the pup sometimes, and others would show his teeth. If I thought he needed time out, I would put the pup into his crate. Anyway, to make a long story short, I found out my male is an awesome teacher. He is not a possessive dog by nature, and has nerves of steel. The pup adored him and at the end, I was comfortable leaving them in the yard together. But I will say, my dog probably does not miss him. I think in his own mellow way, he likes being the center of attention!

Often times an older dog can be an excellent model/teacher for a new pup but you had better REALLY know your dogs well and REALLY understand dog behavior before you let that happen.
some can, some can learn and some will never get it.

RIGHT!!

I have had yet another lesson in dog language and behavior!!

I just wanted to add, that I think it is not just the older dog's behavior. The pup's temperament etc., is also a factor.

Edited by Carol Blumlein (03/12/2014 12:21 PM)
Edit reason: addition

bump!

 Quote: Carol Blumlein

RIGHT!!

I have had yet another lesson in dog language and behavior!!

I just wanted to add, that I think it is not just the older dog's behavior. The pup's temperament etc., is also a factor.

Agree 100%
My older GSD is 10 and the younger one is 6.

The younger would LOVE for the older one to play with him.

The older dog played with the younger one when the younger one was a pup but after 8-9 months, old dog rarely interacts with the younger one at all.

Just different personalities.

They are together 24/7.

The only reason that I would get a second dog in the OPs situation is if *I* wanted another dog.

Getting a second dog turned out to be really good for my first dog. But she didn't like him at all for the first 6 weeks. It was like "who in the world is this creature who is turning my perfect world upside down?!?" But after she adjusted to him, it really helped build her confidence and bring her out of her shell. I loved watching them romp and play and I know it helped that he was a submissive happy go lucky young male. She was still queen of the place and he was just fine with that arrangement.

But I never would have gotten him in the first place if *I* hadn't wanted another dog to work with a train.