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Q. I’ve been lucky in the past with introducing a new dog to existing resident dogs. But this time I’m not sure how to go about it or if this is a good idea. I currently have a 14-year-old female Collie/Husky/Chow mix and an 8-year-old male Lab/Chow mix. I would like to get another dog, mostly for the male dog to have a playmate. But the 14-year-old dog isn’t interested in playing so much anymore. Neither dog has been around other canines in a social setting (i.e. an off-leash park). I’m concerned that my male dog might be aggressive to a newcomer. I also have cats. I was thinking of getting another female dog in between 5 and 11 months old. Do you have any suggestions?

—Frankie Hafner, Winnetka, CA

A. First and foremost, consider all of your current furry family members’ perspectives. [Their] needs should come first, so be honest in your assessment. While some may thrive with playful company, others will prefer their quiet routine. You will need to manage all their needs.
While a younger dog can sometimes bring out the inner pup in an older dog, she can also prove to be a constant nuisance. But if you decide that your Lab/Chow really yearns for such interaction, then start to investigate the types of dogs he gravitates toward. Playful partners or more laid-back types? Males or females? You have added complexities … an elder female who will no doubt give correction to the pup if bothered, so the puppy must accept and respect correction, and resident cats, so the dog cannot have a strong prey drive.
As a final caveat, remember that having more pets means more of your time, not less. So if you’re pressed for time with the family you have, be grateful for the love you already share and leave it at that.

—Laura Garber, CPDT, is a certified dog trainer and behavior counselor living in Hoboken, NJ.

Q. I recently adopted a year-and-a-half-old Boston Terrier who was returned to the rescue by her first adopter. She is well-mannered in all respects except that she woofs down her food—and anything else in sight, even nonedibles. Is there a way to get rid of this habit? We can’t feed her near any other animal and have to watch her all the time to prevent her eating things and throwing them up.

—Barbara L. Renda, Readington, NJ

A. There are several tricks you can use to slow down eating: Place the food in a muffin pan or over a cookie sheet. You can also use a bowl or a toy made for that purpose. Eating foreign objects is a bigger issue; your Boston could end up needing surgery. “Repeat offenders” may benefit from wearing a muzzle, which allows panting and drinking. It may not sound appealing, but it’s better than multiple surgeries!

—Dr. Phil Zeltzman is a board-certified surgeon at Valley Central Veterinary Referral Hospital in Whitehall, PA.