If you already own an adult dog and are bringing home a puppy, there are several things you can do to help ease any tension between them. The best pairings are usually between dogs of opposite sexes. If you own a male dog, bringing home a female puppy is likely to be more successful than bringing home another male. You should also be sure to spay or neuter your adult dog. This will help calm the dog and ease any sexual tension.

You might also consider keeping your adult dog at a boarding kennel or a friend's house for several hours when you first bring the puppy home. This will allow the puppy to become familiar with his new surroundings on his own. This will also establish the puppy as part of the household before the adult dog comes home. (This is the same technique that is sometimes used with children when parents bring a new baby into the home.) The adult dog finds the presence and scent of the puppy far less confrontational if he is already there than if he is suddenly introduced into the home.

It's also important to supervise the two dogs' activities together. Separate the puppy and the adult dog when you can't supervise, and don't allow the older dog to harass the puppy or play too roughly. If the adult dog does become obnoxious with the puppy hold his collar. Tell him, “No!” and walk him over to his crate for a two-minute timeout. He should quickly learn that beating up the puppy won't get him anywhere. If his aggressiveness toward the puppy escalates, seek professional help immediately.

A final important point to remember is to always provide your adult dog with an escape from the puppy. He should have his own crate filled with his own special toys to which the puppy does not have access. You might find that your adult dog puts up with the puppy pretty well. Just keep in mind that your shepherd puppy can be extremely active, and this can drive even the most agreeable dogs a little crazy.

A Second Adult

Bringing a second adult dog into the home can be a bit trickier than bringing home a puppy. If one of the two adult dogs is submissive, things are usually okay. It also helps if the adult dogs are of the opposite sex and altered. However, if both dogs want control and are of the same sex, you might have a major problem on your hands.

Allowing the new dog to acclimate for a few hours or days while the older dog is boarded or at another home may help the older dog accept the new dog. Introducing the two dogs on neutral territory is a good idea. After they've made friends and are playing together, you can bring the two dogs home.

For the first few months, always keep an eye on the dogs when they are together, and separate them when you can't watch. If the older dog is dominant, it could take the new, adopted dog up to a month before she feels comfortable enough in her surroundings to stand up for herself. Once she does, the older dog may back off and the two could settle comfortably in their roles. But if the dogs still haven't found a way to get along after a few months, it may just be an unsuccessful match.