Dogs are super friendly animals—that’s why they’re so loveable! However, as much as our pets adore their human owners, it turns out that dogs don’t always get along with other dogs. I can’t even count the number of times my pets have growled at other dogs during a family gathering, a house party, or even a walk around the dog park. So how do you teach your dog to get along with other pets?
Introduce Your Dog Properly
If your dog becomes overly aggressive towards other dogs, then chances are they are not being introduced in the proper environment. You want to keep the dogs at a safe distance from each other, preferably walking parallel to one another. If you are outdoors, you should keep the leash loose, and closely monitor your dog’s attitude. If your dog is exhibiting signs of aggression, including a high tail, closed mouth, and stiff body, then you should separate the animals immediately. However, if your dog seems relaxed and curious, you can try moving the two dogs close together. The most important thing to remember here is that you can’t expect to put two dogs together, and hope for the best.
Remove Possible Triggers
If your dogs aren’t getting along at home, then try to identify if there are any objects or situations that tend to generate conflict. Observe your pets’ daily behavior, and try to remove possible triggers. For example, some dogs are extremely possessive over certain toys or bedding items. In this case, try to establish different sleeping locations for your dogs. Other dogs may feel anxious and stressed when there is food lying around. For this situation, remove food from your dog’s bowl before introducing them to another animal. The key here is to figure out your dog’s trigger and, if possible, removing them before introducing your dog.
Burn-Off Excess Energy
If you are living with more than one dog, chances are they have different energy levels. If one of your pets has a lot of excess energy, then they might be annoying the other dogs in the house. Make sure your easily-excitable pets are getting enough playtime outside. Go for a walk, pay some fetch, or just run around the yard with them. If you are having friends and family (and their dogs) over, it can also be a good idea to take your own dog for a long walk beforehand. Tiring out your dog can help it stay calm and relaxed as they interact with other dogs.
Don’t Forget Basic Training
Teaching your dog to “stay” or “lie down” can be extremely useful in avoiding conflict. For example, if you are out in the park, and another dog begins to approach, you can tell your pooch to “lie down” and wait for the other dog to leave. If your dog keeps running away and chasing after other dogs, then you might consider teaching your pet how to “sit” or “stay.” If your dogs at home begin to fight, you can also use basic commands to prevent the situation from escalating.
Be Patient
Dogs are very similar to humans. Some of us take weeks, even months, to become friendly with a stranger. So don’t be discouraged if you bring home a new dog, and your older pet struggles to befriend them. Some animals become lifelong friends after a few hours, but some dogs may never get along. Give you dogs time and space to work out their relationships with each other. Patience is a virtue!
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