06/11/2023
How to Get Dogs to Get Along in 7 Steps?
๐ถ ๐๐ก๐จ๐จ๐ฌ๐ ๐ ๐ง๐๐ฎ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ฅ ๐ฅ๐จ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐ญ๐จ ๐ฆ๐๐๐ญ
- Ideally, the first meeting will be in territory unfamiliar to both dogs with plenty of space. While a dog park may satisfy these requirements, other dogs can be a huge distraction. Instead, an uncrowded outdoor park or a fenced-in backyard is a good choice.
๐ถ ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐จ๐๐ฎ๐๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐จ๐ ๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ ๐๐ฌ.
- Initially, keep both dogs on a relaxed leash, with each on the periphery of the enclosed area. Pay attention to the dogsโ body language. They should exhibit some degree of interest in each other but not become overly aroused or agitated. Let them get closer if the dogs exhibit a positive first impression with their body posture and behavior, like a wagging tail and a relaxed gaze and stance. Let the leash go slack. When the dogs are approximately ten feet apart, allow your dog and the new dog to have a closer, face-to-face encounter, enabling them to explore each otherโs scents and even begin playing. Youโll be close enough to intervene if necessary.
๐ถ ๐๐ซ๐๐ฏ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ ๐ ๐ฎ๐๐ซ๐๐ข๐ง๐ .
- Resource guarding is when a resident dog exhibits signs of aggression (like snarling, lunging, barking) when a new dog uses their possessions, such as a favorite toy. Prevent resource guarding by having separate possessions for both dogs (including water and food bowls, toys, dog beds, special treats) in separate rooms. Dogs can also be very possessive over certain locations, like a cozy spot on the floor that gets warm sunlight. If you notice location guarding, try temporarily isolating the area with a baby gate.
๐ถ ๐๐ ๐๐ช๐ฎ๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐๐ญ๐ญ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐.
- Whether youโre adopting a second dog or dog-sitting a family memberโs pooch for the weekend, itโs vital to give both dogs the same amount of attention to prevent the resident dog from feeling jealous and becoming aggressive toward the new dog. Even if you want to show your new canine companion a little extra love, make sure to divide the belly rubs, and high-value dog treats equitably among all your pups.
๐ถ ๐๐ฉ๐๐ฒ ๐จ๐ซ ๐ง๐๐ฎ๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ ๐ฌ.
- Dog aggression is inherently greater in dogs with their reproductive organs intact. To increase the odds of your pup getting along with other doggies, get them spayed or neutered and check with the owners of any potential playmates to see if they fixed their dogs as well.
๐ถ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐๐ ๐จ๐๐๐๐ข๐๐ง๐๐ ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ .
- If your dog doesnโt know the basic dog training commandsโโsit,โ โstay,โ โdown,โ โcome,โ โheel,โ โoff,โ and โnoโโthey are more likely to experience behavioral issues around other dogs. Regularly work on obedience training with your pooch so that they remain calm and listen to you while interacting with other dogs. For instance, suppose your new dog angers your old dog by lying in their bed. In this case, use the โnoโ and โcomeโ commands to tell your new dog theyโre engaging in unwanted behavior.
๐ถ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ค ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐๐ง๐ข๐ฆ๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ก๐๐ฏ๐ข๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ.
- Some dogs simply need more work than others, especially if theyโve experienced past trauma. If your dog continues to be the aggressor despite your best efforts, seek out an animal behaviorist. These professionals can help you get to the root cause of your dogโs bad behavior and develop a game plan to correct it.
