Dogs are known as man’s best friend for a reason.
They bring joy, companionship, and love into our lives.
However, when it comes to introducing a new dog to your existing furry family, things can get a little complicated.
Dogs are social creatures, but they also have a natural instinct to protect their territory and resources, which can lead to conflicts and aggressive behavior towards unfamiliar dogs.
So, if you’re planning to introduce a new pup into your pack, it’s important to know how to get two dogs to get along.
In this article, we’ll provide you with some tips and tricks to help you successfully introduce your dogs and ensure they live happily ever after.
9 Steps On How To Get Dogs To Get Along
Choose A Neutral Location To Meet
When it comes to introducing dogs to each other, choosing the right location can make a big difference.
Dogs are territorial animals, and they may feel threatened or defensive in their own space.
Therefore, it’s important to choose a neutral location for the initial meeting.
A neutral location can be a park, a friend’s yard, or any other unfamiliar space that neither dog has visited before.
By choosing a neutral location, you can reduce the chances of territorial conflicts and help the dogs interact in a more relaxed and friendly manner.
Once you have found a neutral location, it’s time to plan the introduction.
Keep in mind that the first meeting sets the tone for the dogs’ future relationship.
Therefore, it’s important to take your time and make sure that both dogs feel comfortable and safe around each other.
Before you introduce the dogs, make sure that they are on a leash and under control.
This will help you manage their behavior and avoid any unexpected situations.
Introduce The Dogs In Stages
The next step is to introduce the dogs in stages.
Start by keeping the dogs on opposite sides of the area, allowing them to see and smell each other without making direct contact.
This will give them a chance to get used to each other’s presence without feeling threatened.
Gradually move the dogs closer to each other, paying close attention to their body language and behavior.
If either dog shows signs of discomfort or aggression, separate them and try again later.
When introducing dogs, it’s important to be patient and take things slowly.
Every dog is different, and some may take longer to warm up to each other than others.
Some dogs may be more dominant, while others may be more submissive.
Therefore, it’s important to allow the dogs to establish their own hierarchy and respect each other’s boundaries.
This will help prevent conflicts and ensure a harmonious relationship between the dogs.
Take A Long Walk Together
After the initial introduction, it’s time to take the dogs for a long walk together.
Walking side by side is a great way for dogs to bond and get to know each other.
It’s also a good opportunity to observe their behavior around each other.
Keep the walk relaxed and positive, rewarding good behavior with treats and praise.
Be sure to monitor the dogs closely, especially if either dog displays aggressive behavior.
If at any point, you feel that the dogs are not ready to walk together, separate them and try again later.
When walking dogs together, it’s important to remember that they are still animals with their own instincts and behaviors.
Therefore, it’s important to be aware of their body language and behavior at all times.
Look for signs of tension, such as raised hackles, growling, or bared teeth.
If you notice any signs of aggression, separate the dogs immediately and try again later.
Feed Them Separately
One common source of conflict between dogs is food.
Dogs are territorial animals and may become possessive over their food, leading to aggression towards other dogs.
To prevent this, it’s important to feed your dogs separately, especially during the initial stages of their relationship.
Feed each dog in a separate room or crate, where they can eat without any distractions or interruptions.
This will reduce the chances of resource guarding and help your dogs feel more relaxed and secure around each other.
Feeding dogs separately also allows you to monitor their food intake and ensure that each dog is getting the right amount of food and nutrition.
You can also use mealtime as an opportunity to train your dogs and reinforce positive behavior, such as waiting patiently for their food or not stealing food from other dogs.
Prevent Resource Guarding
In addition to food, dogs may also guard other resources, such as toys, beds, or even their owners.
This can lead to conflicts between dogs and make it difficult for them to get along.
To prevent resource guarding, it’s important to establish clear boundaries and rules for your dogs.
For example, if your dogs are guarding their toys, remove the toys and reintroduce them later under your supervision.
Teach your dogs to share their toys by rewarding them for playing together and taking turns.
Similarly, if your dogs are guarding their beds, provide each dog with their own bed and encourage them to use it.
You can also teach your dogs to respect each other’s personal space by not allowing them to invade each other’s personal space without permission.
Be Equally Attentive
Dogs are social animals and need attention and affection from their owners.
However, if one dog feels neglected or ignored, it may lead to jealousy and conflicts between the dogs.
To prevent this, it’s important to be equally attentive to both dogs and provide them with equal amounts of attention, love, and affection.
Spend time with each dog individually, taking them for walks, playing with them, and giving them one-on-one attention.
This will help strengthen the bond between you and your dogs and prevent feelings of jealousy or resentment.
Also, remember to praise and reward good behavior from both dogs, not just one.
This will help reinforce positive behavior and prevent any potential conflicts between the dogs.
Spay Or Neuter Your Dogs
One effective way to prevent aggressive behavior and improve the chances of your dogs getting along is to spay or neuter them.
Unneutered or unspayed dogs may attack other dogs, especially those of the same sex.
Spaying or neutering your dogs reduces their hormonal drive to compete for mating opportunities and reduces aggression.
Spaying or neutering your dog reduces aggression, reduces disease risk, and extends their lifespan.
Talk to your veterinarian about the best time to spay or neuter your dogs and any potential risks or benefits.
Practice Obedience Training
Obedience training is an essential component of getting dogs to get along.
Training your dogs to obey basic commands such as “sit,” “stay,” and “come” can help establish clear boundaries and rules for behavior.
It also allows you to communicate more effectively with your dogs and prevent any misunderstandings.
When training your dogs, it’s important to be patient, consistent, and positive.
Treat and praise good behavior and ignore or redirect bad behavior.
Obedience training with your dogs can also improve their behavior and bond.
Work With A Professional Animal Behaviorist
If you are struggling to get your dogs to get along despite your best efforts, it may be time to seek professional help.
A professional animal behaviorist can help you solve your dog’s behavior problems and build a good relationship.
An animal behaviorist can help you find the cause of your dog’s behavior issues and create a personalized training plan.
They can also guide you and your dogs through the training process to ensure long-term success.
Why Don’t Some Dogs Get Along?
Dogs are social animals and are generally known for their friendly and loyal nature.
However, some dogs may not get along with each other, even when they are from the same breed or have similar personalities.
There are several reasons why some dogs may not get along, such as past experiences, lack of socialization, personality differences, or medical issues.
For example, if a dog has been attacked or bullied by another dog in the past, they may become fearful or aggressive towards other dogs.
Similarly, if a dog has not been properly socialized with other dogs during their critical socialization period, they may have difficulty adjusting to new dogs or unfamiliar situations.
Personality differences, such as dominance or submissiveness, can also play a role in how dogs interact with each other.
Finally, medical issues such as pain or discomfort can cause a dog to display aggressive behavior towards other dogs.
Understanding why some dogs don’t get along can help you fix the problem and create a customized training plan.
With patience, consistency, and proper training, you can improve your dogs’ behavior and help them bond.
Before You Go…
Now you know the answer to the question, “How to get two dogs to get along”.
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