Second Dog?

I was considering getting another dog to keep my Lexi (1 1/2 year old female Maltese) company. There was a 16 month old female Maltese up for adoption in my area so I packed up Lexi and off we went to meet her. Lexi totally ignored her even when she was 2 inches away from her face. When the other dog came near me, Lexi nipped at her. I decided not to adopt her because there was a waiting list to get her and I didn't think it would be fair to her. Since dogs are pack animals, I thought Lexi would like the companionship. My question is: If she is this possessive of me, should I be considering another pet? If yes, is there a type of dog that she would accept more readily and what is the best way to get them to accept each other?
EMF/Lexi

• Any dog that has been an "only child" for a period of time, particularly for over a year, will be jealous of any attention provided to an "intruder", no matter the age, sex, or breed of that "intruder". It takes patience, time, and sometimes a certain degree of firmness with the incumbent dog in order to bring a new canine into your home. You must introduce them carefully and play with them "both" at the same time - quickly and firmly (but not harshly) reprimand either or both for showing resentment of the other. We have "placed" several of our pups into this situation and have seen it work out every single time. We've placed puppies and adults into homes with Chow Chows, Rottweilers, Pointers, Pekingese, Yorkshire Terriers, and yes, Maltese. One of the "hardest sells" was to convince a twelve-year old Yorkshire Terrier female to share her home with a precocious, active, fifteen week old Maltese puppy. It took love and patience and dilligent attention, but everything worked out okay and they sleep in the same bed, now, and eat out of the same bowl.

  A Maltese is one of the best "second dog" choices due to their incredibly loving and tolerant nature. My parents have "adopted", over time, several of our retired show dogs. Invariably you are asking one crochety older dog to share its home and masters with another, younger dog, but one that is every bit as crochety.

  We have had the best results with taking the incumbent dog or dogs out of the household and having them come home to live with us for a week or so and allow the incoming pet to have the run of the household and "bond" with its new owners. Then, we've reintroduced the rest of the family back into the home and with the scent of the newer dog everywhere in the house and the newer dog feeling more confident that it "belongs" there we have had very good results.

  There is a great deal of dilligent supervision that is required anytime you bring in a new dog to a home where one already lives. Big differences in size (different breeds) or ages requires that you NOT allow them to "play" unsupervised until you KNOW they can be trusted together !!!!
  Larry Stanberry - Divine Maltese