Bringing in 2nd dog With Velcro Misty

Hello there

There are a few steps you can take:

- You should introduce the dogs slowly to one another. That means, having them in separate rooms from one another for a day or more, then they might go visit one another briefly (making sure they cannot get close to one another with leashes, crates etc), then they can spend a few hours in the same room, both crated.. and so forth. You get the picture. Give it a lot of time. The more time you give, the more they get used to one another. Important: once the dogs do get to interact physically, they cannot be leashed but ideally have much space to get out of one anothers way. Restraint can cause agression. Have a penny-can ready to interrupt possible situations spiraling out of control.

- Do not support one dog over the other. While you might assume that your present dog will be dominant, that must not be the case. You cannot do anything to interfere once the dogs get normal contact, unless there ensues a fight and a dog is getting hurt (startle them with the can to break it up - do not use your hands!). It is quite possible that they have to duke it out in some typical status-bouts, but well socialized dogs do not need to fight to know who is in charge. (thus, a lot depends how well socialized they are in the first place)

- You should make sure to spend regular quality time with both dogs by themselves.

- As there is so much more that would be worth mentioning, you should consider getting yourself some standard book on this issue, like Patricia McConnell's "Feeling Outnumbered? How to Manage and Enjoy Your Multi-Dog Household."

Good luck []

I think you've gotten great advice, I'd only say that while holding them with leashes might cause a reaction, I would keep leashes on both of them until you see how they do.  Just have them drag the leashes though.  As one who has 2 dogs with aggression issues with each other, I'm always wishing they had a leash on when a fight breaks out.  My girls can go months with no problem though, so I can't have them dragging leashes all the time. 
 
Also, at least in my case, if my girls have gotten into a stare down, the worst thing I can do is make any kind of loud noise, such as shaking a can of coins (or sounding panicky).  They're so reactionary at that point, the best I can do is calmly say "uh uh" and when one looks my way, say "come on" and walk away.  They tend to follow me then and forget about each other. 
 
Unfortunately, I've had more than my share of dealing with fighting dogs and hopefully you won't ever have a problem.  I hear that males/females do much better.

I love having two dogs. This is the first time our family has ever had 2 dogs at the
same time.
First we had Buster, the beagle, who I would call mildly velcro. He will follow
you around from room to room, just happy to be in your presence and lay down
at your feet.
Then we got Coco, who had been a stray living under a car for weeks. The first week or so, she was quiet, only a mild growl to Buster. We had them meet at
a neighbors house.
A few weeks later, she really blossomed. She seems to be the alpha dog.
Buster will not challenger her for a spot to sit, etc.
Possibly from being a stray, she is more insecure. She makes more eye contact
and really seems to strive for love and attention. Somehow she seems to
appreciate things more. As opposed to Buster, who has never gone without
a meal, doesn't know any better.
 
For that, we have to make sure that Buster has his special time for lovin'
without Coco barging in for her own attention.
 
It might take a few weeks for them to get used to each other. Like friends,
they will have their own understanding of things. Like licking out each other's
bowls after the food is gone. The nice part of having 2 dogs is watching them
play. Coco usually is the first one to start, she tries to nip Buster around the
neck & face area. Also, she will scold Buster if he has stolen something.
 
Once they get used to each other, you will love it !

Introductions are best done on neutral territory, not at your home.  Do keep leashes on, in case you must intervene, but let them drag so you don't add to any anxiety.
If your dog has not been regularly socialized to strange dogs, don't expect too much. 

Been meaning to stop by and upate our story, but I've been awful busy with our second dog!!!!
 
Last Sunday we were given a retired, neutered male toy poodle named Teddy by a breeder close to our home.  This couldn't be any better.  He's very polite and well trained and friendly and is a dear.  It's like someone did a great job raising him for six years and then said here, he's yours now.  It's incredible. 
 
And, he and Misty are living side by side just fine.  We can no longer keep any rawhides or flossies around, they bring on some aggressive problems right now.  Other than that, these two do fine.  They stretch out together and are adjusting well. There has been some lap discussions, but truces have been made.  This morning they had a little growling session over who got the pillow in the sun, and settled that on their own.  There's been nothing more than the occasional growl, but we are keeping close guard to make sure things don't escalate as time goes by. 
 
I know that we won't see the whole Teddy until he's been here for a month or more, but things look good now.  And, since he is beautifully crate trained, that has made life pretty easy here.  When I have to go out, I'm not worried all the time about what they are up to, as Teddy is upstairs in his crate and Misty is in the family room, as was her routine.  Teddy likes to sleep in his crate at night, and so we are sticking with that. 
 
He's a very settled lap and people dog with very little interest in Misty's puppy antics, which is exactly what we needed.  We could not introduce a dog that would run wild with her, since she's had so much knee surgery. 
 
So far so good!!!