How to make two dogs friends

The problem of establishing correct relationships between dogs is relevant and requires a serious approach. Dogs need contact with each other for development, physical activity in the game, and also for gaining life experience. The absence of mandatory elements of dog socialization, one of which is communication with animals, leads to the fact that the dog becomes either aggressive or withdrawn, fearful, has no experience of communication, and cannot confidently and correctly behave in the presence of other dogs.

Socialization of a dog, including instilling in it the necessary skills of communication with other dogs, is an important element of its upbringing and raising, and it is necessary to pay great attention to it. If in the future the owner plans to acquire a second dog or finds himself in a situation where for one reason or another another dog may appear in the house, then the experience acquired by the dog and the correct behavior instilled in it will help to establish conflict-free relationships. This will eliminate aggression, rivalry, fear, uncertainty and other undesirable behavior that the pet may demonstrate.

Where to start?

You need to start with a puppy. It is in puppyhood that the foundations of socialization are laid and the experience of communicating with relatives is instilled. When taking your puppy outside, try to make sure that the walk does not only consist of relieving itself and a light stroll, but also includes playing with peers or loyal older dogs.

Find a group of friends for the puppy and try to organize a meeting with them on a walk as often as possible, for example, by first agreeing on a time for a walk with other dog owners. The faster you do this, the more actively and correctly your puppy will begin to acquire the communication skills it needs, and in the future will not perceive other dogs as an object for a fight or, conversely, show cowardice and insecurity.

Strictly discourage your dog from trying to provoke a conflict situation and do not allow it to do so under any circumstances.

Many owners believe that a demonstration of strength by a puppy or young dog is a positive thing that helps the pet to feel confident and formidable in the future. This is a mistake, and a rather serious one. The indulgences shown to such behavior by the dog later lead to the fact that it grows up pugnacious, aggressive and unsociable towards other animals, which, naturally, makes it difficult to walk with it and communicate with other animals.

If you follow the recommendations outlined above, your dog’s further communication with other animals will not cause any particular problems for you or your pet. However, a situation may arise when another dog that appears in the house is not sufficiently socialized and is far from peaceful. It is important to understand what needs to be done in this case and how to make two dogs friends or, at least, establish their conflict-free existence.

1. An adult dog and a puppy that appeared in the house

There is a taboo for adult dogs by nature – puppies cannot be offended. This is a genetically determined behavior, and, as a rule, there are no special problems in communication between an adult dog and a puppy. However, the owner’s participation in establishing the right relationship is necessary.

What does it consist of:

• Having brought the puppy into the house, put it down on the floor and let the adult dog sniff it thoroughly and carefully. Observe the dog’s reaction and do not allow it to take any active actions towards the puppy (attempt to bite, start a game, bark or growl). This can frighten the puppy and affect its future relationship with the adult dog. Stop unwanted actions of the old-timer with a ban;
• The owner’s attention to both dogs should be distributed equally. Excessive attention to the puppy may cause jealousy or an attempt to somehow change the situation on the part of the adult dog. As a result, the puppy may be perceived by the adult dog as a competitor for its well-being;
• At first, feed the dogs separately, so as not to, again, create a feeling of competition and a desire to have a tastier piece;
• Monitor the puppy’s behavior and do not allow it to exhibit obsessive behavior towards the adult dog, causing aggression or discontent. Isolate the puppy that is playing and obsessive for a while and calm it down;
• Joint walks and activities are good. On a walk, the puppy quickly and actively copies the behavior of an adult dog, which has a positive effect on its upbringing and acquisition of life experience. True, one condition is necessary: the adult dog must be properly brought up and behave as you need, not as it needs;
• And the last thing. In any relationship between dogs, the main arbiter and educator remains the owner. Any of your actions and orders caused by improper relationships between dogs must be carried out impeccably – this is the key to a conflict-free and comfortable existence of a puppy (and later a young dog) with an older dog.

2. Two adult dogs, one of which is a newbie

The situation with two adult dogs is much more complicated, since each of them can lay claim to primacy. There will be practically no problems when the dogs were raised correctly and are not prone to conflictual showdowns. Practice shows that such pairs are rare.

What to do:

• Introduce dogs on the street before bringing one of them home. It is advisable to organize several meetings and carefully monitor how the dogs interact. The street puts animals on equal terms, but the appearance of a stranger on your territory can cause a serious claim in an old-timer dog, which threatens to escalate into a fight;
• Do not allow dogs to dominate each other under any circumstances. Protect the weak dog and severely punish the fighter.
• The boss in the house is the owner, and therefore only you can allow the dogs to do something and forbid them to do something.
• If the dog perceives you as an authoritative owner, there will be no problems with the appearance of a second dog in the house;
• Show equal attention to the newcomer and the old-timer, so as not to arouse feelings of jealousy and rivalry;
• At first, feed the dogs separately;
• Keeping dogs in different rooms or premises from the point of view of establishing proper relationships between them does not give the desired result, so try to observe the dogs’ communication as often as possible and make timely adjustments to their behavior;
• You shouldn’t get a second dog if you’re not completely sure of your influence on your pet. Only unquestioning obedience of your pet will allow you to establish proper relationships with other animals in the house. There’s no other way.