Managing a Multi-Dog Household
“They’ll work it out, they’re dogs!” is a common phrase I hear from dog owners and yet, dog-dog aggression remains among the most difficult behavior cases that behavior consultants and trainers are faced with. While it is partially true, dogs don’t always work things out the way we want them to and leaving them to their own devices is a brewing ground for conflict and damaged relationships. I have worked with dogs for several years in group classes, daycares, and shelters and I have observed firsthand how incredible dogs are at diffusing conflict all by themselves. However, when we place dogs into close living quarters with one another- we limit their ability to avoid conflict. That’s why it’s essential that pet parents use management strategies to keep the peace in their homes, especially when introducing a new dog to the mix. Below, I list 5 tips that are sure to reduce the chances of dog-dog conflict while helping your dogs build healthy relationships using positive reinforcement.
1. No Shared Bedrooms!
Establish private “bedrooms” for each of your dogs seperate from other animals and young children. There are plenty of options to create functional living spaces for your dogs, ranging from wire crates and pens to full-on pieces of furniture. Luckily, you don’t have to give up style to accomodate your dogs needs. Feel free to get creative here- leashes tethered to furniture can work in a pinch. Baby gates and X-pens can also work wonders to section away space. The space you choose should be away from the front door or any other high-traffic areas of your home. “Bedrooms” should be used for downtime, mealtime, and unsupervised time. This serves as a personal space your dog can decompress in, much like the way you may use your own bedroom after a long day out. Always allow access to your dog’s “bedroom” and encourage your dog to go to their own space when they are feeling overwhelmed, tired, or too excited. After implementing this strategy, it is common for dogs to begin requesting access to their space when they have big feelings about something without any input from their handler. If this starts to happen, you’ve done it right!
2. Separate Personal Belongings
Ensure your dogs favorite toys, bones, food, and treats are put away when interacting with dogs who are new to the household and vise versa for the first 3 weeks of introductions. Sharing can be stressful and lead to conflict between dogs, especially those who have a history of resource guarding or do not have an established relationship with their playmate. In many homes, resources need to stay separate indefinitely to ensure no conflict arises. However, you may choose to introduce items one by one to your dogs- stopping if you see any signs of stiffness, growling, posturing, or showing teeth. When introducing valuable objects, start with items your dogs are not particularly interested in and monitor their body language before slowly introducing items of higher value one by one. For example, after keeping belongings separate for 3 weeks you may begin training your dogs nearby one another using their kibble. Teach each dog to wait their turn to be rewarded rather than both rushing in for the treat. After your dogs have demonstrated their ability to take food nearby one another, you may try a few toys which are of lower value to your dogs (don’t start with their favorite!). Begin with short sessions with toys on the floor- ensuring you can be there to observe the whole time. Pick items back up when you are unable to supervise until you are sure your dogs can share under a variety of circumstances. Continue introducing items every few days, keeping note of any signs of discomfort or conflict. Now is a great time to read up on dog body language! If you notice your dog taking items and intentionally moving away from their canine friends with the item, take note and be prepared to intervene if another dog approaches. Although each dog will have their own favorites, it is most common for dogs to scuffle over high-value bones and chews. Be sure to separate your dogs during mealtimes and if they have access to edible bones or chews.
3. Keep It Calm
While it’s adorable watching dogs wrestle and play together, it is important to recognize that intense play can escalate quickly. For this reason, it is important to keep play brief especially when dogs are new to living with one another. Teaching your dog the skill of relaxation nearby household dogs is an instrumental part of building happy, healthy, lasting relationships between household dogs. Implementing decompressing activities into your dogs routine together builds a relationship of positive reinforcement and shared relaxation. Structured downtime and frequent breaks will help your dogs to regulate themselves during their interactions and learn to remove themselves when necessary. To start, you can try keeping your dogs seperated but nearby one another as they enjoy a lickmat, kong, snuffle mat, or other form of enrichment. You can use baby gates, crates, or tethers for this until you are sure your dogs can safely share with one another. Just make sure both dogs are at a distance where they appear relaxed and are not actively guarding items from other dogs. You can also try relaxation or mat training with your dogs or enjoy a long sniff walk. The idea here is to give your dog something else to focus on- aside from their new doggy best friend.
4. Offer Solo Enrichment
It is so important that you spend time getting to know each dog as an individual. Get to know their preferences, dislikes, habits, and triggers by setting aside time just for you two. Every dog is unique which means they all possess unique needs. I suggest you get to know these needs and cater to them. Rather than walking your 12 year-old chihuahua with your adolescent shepherd puppy, recognize that each dog will benefit from different things. One dog may need 2 hours of exercise each day while another would likely prefer a 15 minute stroll. Plan to spend time 1 on 1 with each dog every day doing something they enjoy. Consider their breed, age, and temperament when considering activities for them. This is especially important for dogs with large age gaps or those who have dog siblings of another breed. Puppies, adult dogs, and seniors will all have vastly different needs and will require different care from one another. You could try out dog sports at your local training center, take up hiking, play fetch, learn new tricks, or go over to a friend’s house for a doggy playdate. There are plenty of options for you and your dog to connect and fulfill their needs.
5. Keep A Close Eye
Always supervise interactions between household dogs and make sure they are never left alone together. When observing interactions between dogs, ensure that they are frequently reversing roles during play and exhibiting loose body posture. Allow your dogs to correct one another if necessary. This can look like: a low grumble, air snapping, showing teeth, or barking. Corrections should be quick and the dog who is being corrected should respect the boundaries of their housemate. If a dog persists after being corrected, it is a good time to intervene. Avoid long periods of intense play or play that your dog struggles to calm down from. Get familiar with reading your dogs’ body language and interrupt negative interactions between dogs such as stealing items, pursuing a dog who isn’t interested in play, and not allowing other dogs to access attention and affection.
