Do you have more than one dog or are you considering adopting another one? With a little organization you can easily establish the hierarchy in the house, ensure happiness for all your furry friends and keep the peace!
Steps
Step 1. Carefully consider adding additional dogs to the house
If you are considering adopting another puppy, there are some important things to consider to make sure you can lead a lifestyle that includes more than one pet. In addition to the expenses that will necessarily increase, each additional puppy will require time and additional effort to feed, clean, keep him moving and play. Also, if a dog is quite unruly, it could influence others to behave in the same way, forcing you to handle more than one plague. Also pay attention to the needs of the animal that already lives with you: if it is older and unwilling to accept the raids of a puppy because of its ailments or because it suffers from an illness, perhaps this is not the best time to bring in house a new companion. On the other hand, it might be just what a dog of a certain age, but healthy and a little lazy, needs!
Step 2. If you believe you can handle another puppy to feed, train and care for, then don't hesitate
When you take care of two or more dogs, one of the biggest benefits is that by keeping company with each other, they will build a rather close relationship. However, keep in mind from the start that each extra presence means more work for you and more bonds to create for relationships between your furry friends to work.
Step 3. Introduce the new friend to the dogs you already own "before" taking him home
A great way is to get them to meet. If you feel that they get along well, then the chances are high that their relationship will not be confrontational, but if aggression issues arise early on, perhaps it is not the right dog to adopt.
- Do not introduce the newcomer to other dogs on the first day he enters the house. Move them away, perhaps in the garden or out to the balcony, and give your new companion time to explore the house and become familiar with the environment.
- When you finally introduce it to others, choose a neutral place, where normally the dogs that already live with you don't spend much time. Don't be in a hurry - it will probably take time for an understanding to be established.
Step 4. Know what awaits you when the dogs first meet
Leave them off the leash so they know each other in their own way. Be prepared for them to sniff under the tail, rub their noses and engage in behavior typical of these circumstances (walking stiffly, lifting one paw on the back of the other, lifting the fur, etc.). As for the noises they emit, they can bark, yelp and moan. This is how dogs socialize, so you'll need to do your best to keep away and observe, as they won't need outside help to greet each other and get to know each other. They usually define for themselves the role that each takes in the pack, but you will have to wait before reassuring them that you and the other people will remain the alpha members of the group! Also be careful if they mark the territory: although this behavior is a natural form of communication and a means of establishing dominance and social position, on the other hand it could be a big annoyance if it happens at home. Some training methods or products used to inhibit the instinct to mark territory, including sprays, diapers, and other special items, can help prevent this problem.
- Be positive. Dogs perceive negative emotions. Instead of worrying, think that their meeting will go well and that there will be no conflict. If you are enthusiastic about the meeting, they will perceive your mood and see it as an invitation to react positively to each other.
- Observe carefully and separate them if you see or hear them barking furiously, pounce at each other and growl, assume attitudes of mutual domination, but also if you notice a disinterest on the part of one while the other continues to annoy (usual if the interaction occurs between an old dog and a small one) or if you see them staring at each other for a long time (fighting for dominance). In these cases, intervene and divide them. Get them to get to know each other more gradually (a great way to start is by taking them for a walk and keeping them on a leash with other people).
- Consult a professional if dogs still don't get along. It can happen, so it's definitely helpful to get some advice. People to contact include a veterinarian, a dog trainer, or an animal behaviorist expert.
- Look at their hierarchical order. A hierarchy will soon form and you can see it by watching the dog walk in front of everyone as they walk, eat first or share his time with you first. You must consolidate this hierarchical order through your behavior (remaining the alpha element), but you must not let the subordinates feel excluded.
Step 5. Make sure everything goes smoothly and bond with each of your dogs
Once the presentation phase is successfully completed, you will need to create a family atmosphere in which you are in charge, not them. It may seem like a simple task, but if you have more than one dog, it is easy for herd instinct to take over: they may begin to believe that you and other people occupy the lower rungs of the hierarchy (often through unconscious consent. offered by your own behavior). Worse still, many people, convinced that two little dogs are capable of taking care of each other, give up on maintaining control and bonding with each of them. In fact, you should do your best to train and get together with both the dominant dog and everyone else, whatever positions within their hierarchy.
Step 6. Prevent a shift in dominance that risks putting people in the background within the group
Start training dogs and pay attention to how you behave around them. Teach everyone the basic rules of obedience: if the dog who already lived with you has been trained (before you even adopted the new one), test his obedience and repeat some techniques if necessary. Train the puppy with the same basic methods used with each other. Make each of them see you as the leader and see every other member of the family above the pack hierarchy. If not, they will fight for dominance and ignore your commands.
- Avoid falling lower in the pack hierarchy. You must always remain the leader or alpha member of the pack. Each dog must listen and respond to your commands learned during training. If you're not paying attention, start with the ground rules. No walks, no rewards, and no play, as long as they don't obey your commands! Don't let them out the door before you do - if a dog behaves this way, they will need to be trained again.
- Training more than one dog requires a good knowledge of the subject; do some research on the methods that best suit your needs and ask a dog trainer for advice if necessary. It is necessary to educate them correctly in order to preserve family harmony.
Step 7. Let the dogs stay together even without you
If they don't give you any problems from the start, it will be perfect. However, it may take some time to arrive at this result. If so, try separating them before you leave and reuniting them when you get back, gradually increasing the time until they get used to being together alone. In fact, it is important that when no one is at home they know how to keep company and not miss you or that of other people.
At first, as they begin to get used to each other, it can be helpful to train them to stay in the kennel. Keep them in the same room so they can see each other
Step 8. Recognize the signs of aggression
If you do some research on how dogs use their bodies to communicate, you will be able to understand when they play, when they attack each other and when a fight is about to break out. It is not much different from identifying the signs that indicate when they say hello, in the beginning. It is important to be on the lookout for any scuffles while they are together. On the other hand, if they get along well and you have trained them well, it is likely that some episodes of aggression will only occur sporadically. Care must be taken in case of diseases, manifestations of territoriality towards food, pregnancy or the presence of puppies, introduction of a new member in the pack, the birth of a child and whenever a person is too busy to be with them..
- Watch out for items that a puppy seems most attached to. There may be friction if a partner does not understand when it is time to step aside. Normally he gets the message when he hears growl. If it becomes a problem, remove the object and make it disappear when the dog showing a more evident attitude of territoriality is distracted.
- Never punish when they growl. A dog growls to warn a fellow dog when he is in a state of agitation, so as not to get into a fight. Essentially it is a form of diplomacy. By punishing them, you will prevent them from continuing to growl, but you will not stop the anxiety associated with this attitude. Therefore, reprimanded in this way, they can suddenly attack.
Step 9. Have everyone eat in their own bowl by keeping them at a distance from each other, placing them in separate cages or even in different rooms if you notice signs of aggression during meals
The place where they eat doesn't have to turn into a battlefield. Don't give different portions and make sure they don't feel like they're getting different dishes. Give each their own bowl and area, and feed them at the same time. By administering meals in separate cages or rooms, you can ease the tension between the dominant and subordinate subject. Sometimes we would like them to "get over" this difficulty, but behaviorally it won't happen, so keeping them too close will surely make the situation worse. When they have finished eating, remove the food so that no one is tempted to go into the other's bowl by manifesting his territorial instinct.
- Feed the alpha dog first to prevent competitions within the pack hierarchy.
- When you want to give a bone, distribute one to each one at the same time. If a fight is about to break out, take the dogs to two opposite sides of the garden to prevent the dominant one from stealing the bone from the weaker. If necessary, install wire mesh in the garden to keep them apart, but make sure each has its own bone.
- A single bowl of water for all dogs should be enough, but if you're worried, add another one.
Step 10. Distribute your attention in a balanced way, but consolidate their hierarchy
Dogs are pack animals and by nature follow the order of the pack. Generally, it does not matter what position each one occupies in the pack, as long as they are sure they have it. Generally, people are inclined to see things in a more just and equitable way, "taking the defense" of the omega dog and, thus, unknowingly destroying this hierarchical order. As a result, fights can break out if they are unsure of who should take on the role of the alpha dog. Therefore, try to favor the dominant element, feeding him first, making sure he has the toys and passes through doors before the others, and giving him your attention first. Don't ignore the omega dog, just praise him and give him your attention after the alpha dog. This way there will be less competition for dominance.
Step 11. Make sure each dog has their own sleeping area
Like bowls, kennels must also be tailor-made for each dog. Make it clear which kennel belongs to each of them and keep them in separate places within the sleeping area, so they don't feel like they are being treated differently. If left to fend for themselves, dogs living with families tend to choose their own kennel in which to sleep. If their choices don't suit you, you'll need to train them to sleep elsewhere. Don't be surprised if they choose to sleep together, but make sure there is enough space and a pillow or blanket for each of them.
Step 12. Try to have fun with all your dogs
If you are always tense or lose your temper when interacting with each other, it is very likely that they will start arguing as they sense the emotions and fears of the master. Instead, try to relax and enjoy!
- Let them have fun. Buy lots of games that suit them and replace them as soon as they break. Take rubber bones, ropes, balls, etc., and leave them available to dogs at all times. If they grow considerably, increasing in size, make sure they have toys suitable for their size.
- Make sure they exercise regularly. This way they will consume excess energy and bark even less - something neighbors appreciate when they live next to families who have many dogs.
Advice
- Feed the dogs according to their age and dietary needs. It's another reason to feed them in separate spots - it's important not to give the oldest puppy food, but the one that is suitable for senior dogs! Sure it will take you more work, but you can't avoid it when you have a lot of dogs.
- If dogs have different grooming needs, try to compensate for the time you don't spend with the dog that has fewer needs in this regard by giving them more petting and petting.
- Have dogs spayed or neutered. You will prevent dominance behaviors and attempts to mark territory with urine inside the house.
- An older dog might be bothered by a rather lively puppy. Consider adopting an adult dog instead of a smaller one.
- Train the dogs separately, or at least until they have reached a level where they don't get distracted by each other. It is best to train the dog you already own before introducing a new one into the house, unless you are getting two or more puppies at the same time.
Warnings
- Just because a dog is quiet and reserved doesn't mean they don't want the same attention and affection as the more outgoing dog. Give them the same love and attention.
- If they start arguing, contact a dog trainer. Don't try to stop them alone! Learn how to stop a dog fight safely. Do this research before adopting another one. Worst case scenario, throw a blanket over them as they argue, so you can disorient and separate them.
- If a dog goes into heat, consider spaying her to prevent aggressive behavior and the birth of unwanted puppies. When they are in heat, they behave in a capricious and bullying manner and there is a risk that they will get into some trouble while you are distracted.
- Overly excited dogs can become aggressive without meaning to. Meal time, your return after a long absence, and play time can be stressful for some of them, so be alert whenever their excitability increases.
