We`ve just got a second dog, but the problem is i keep feeling almost guilty as to what the first must feel.
They`re 2 and a half year old sisters from the same litter, we got the first one 9 months ago and the new one about a week ago.
The first one is very quiet, shy, gentle and likes sleeping (she`s always been like this) and the new one is completely the opposite although she`s very gentle too.
The problem is i feel so sorry for the first one, firstly the fact that she was so settled into home life and being the only one back then and got all of the atention and now i think she must feel almost left out and not the favourite anymore.
I`ve just come back from a fantastic holiday and i guess i`m probably feeling a little down anyway now that things are back to normal again, but is it natural to be feeling like this?
Thanks

We have always been like that when getting a new dog and this time we got two sister pups and felt even worse! Very quickly our dogs have got used to realising they get new playmates and someone to keep them company if we have to go out for a couple of hours!

I felt similarly when I had a second child after the first one was an only child and had been used to getting everything to herself and all the attention from relatives but it worked out fine!

When we got our second dog, it was the best thing we could have done for our old dog. Gave him a whole new lease of life. He fell in love the moment we brought her home as a tiny 8 week old pup.

When we got our third when Buffy we a year old, it was very different. Hansel is the same breed as Buffy, was 7 months old when we got him and took a shine to Buffy straight away, and she to him. Poor old Murphy was completely ignored by Hansel. I felt bad that Murphy had his playmate stolen away.

However, as time went on Hansel would join in some games with Murphy. Never the rough and tumble, but the running up and down the lounge was a great game. And I think Murphy prefered that Hansel took Buffy's rough play. If he wants to play with her now, he instigates it where as before she would and like a doting Uncle he would indulge her.

It'll take time to adjust but they should be fine.

it'll take time, but honestly, they'll learn to love each others company (even if the first dog wouldn;t like to admit it!)

we got jake (who has just decided to snake round me & shove his nose under my chin) when missey was 10, two years ago, missey has always been great with other dogs, grumping at them if they're not wanted & they'd leave her alone - she had a shock when this (huge fro his age) puppy came bounding over to her wanting to play and lay down with her!
after about a week of loud groans & her getting up & walking away it all calmed down though, she accepted that he was here and every so often would let him lay with her for a kip

there were even a few occasions of her playing with her teddy and him joining in
it has actually been good for her, she perked up a lot when he came on the scene, she's bouncier and seems to have more life in her

the part about not wanting to admit liking having him around? we took jake and the dog i walk out for a long walk and a run, missey can;t walk that far any more these days (mild hip dysplasia & general age) so we left her home with the radio on, on the promise we would take her to the park just over the road when we came back
we came back to the most heart breaking howls i have ever heard
she was sat on the stairs, looking out the window (didn;t see us at first with her head being in the air)
since then, she's not been left on her own, other than through her choice (she picks & chooses her walks! ) and not for more than half an hour if jake isn;t in too.

i know it's not the same situation, but i thought i would share, don;t feel guilty about it, she just needs a little time to adjust and i'm sure she'll be fine and really enjoy having another dog around

Yeah, I'd imagine that's pretty normal... never owned more than one, but I'm sure I'd feel a bit guilty if I were to get another one. You shouldn't, though- they'll develop their own dynamic as time goes on and in the long run your first dog will probably be happier.

Hell, I felt guilty when I got Sheena, even though Biscuits had been dead for two years... felt like I was betraying Biscy somehow!

That's how I felt too, when we had our dog 6 months after the first one dying (16yo)

With regards to the OP, I felt just the same but with my bunnies not dogs, they are inseparable now tho