Do you have more than one dog or are you considering adopting a new one? With a little planning, you can easily organize the hierarchy, ensure the happiness of multiple dogs, and keep the house peaceful.
Step
Step 1. Think carefully before getting another dog
If you're adopting a new dog, you'll need to consider a few important things to ensure that you'll be able to cope with a lifestyle that involves more than one dog. Each additional dog will require time, money, and effort to feed, exercise, and play. If one dog makes a mistake, the other dog will also be provoked to do the same. Consider the needs of the previously domesticated dog as well. If the dog is old and may not be able to welcome the puppy because of a physical condition or illness, you may not want to get a new dog. However, a lazy but healthy old dog might just need it!
Step 2. Feel free to get a new dog if you decide you can manage his additional feeding, training, and grooming needs
One of the advantages of having two or more dogs is that the dogs will bond and comfort each other. However, you should also remember from the start that you will have to put in a lot more effort and bonding with each dog for the relationship to work.
Step 3. Introduce your new dog to your existing dog before bringing it home
One great way to introduce new dogs is to take them to meet them first. You can keep them if your dog seems to get along well with your dogs. However, if there is an aggression problem, the dog may not be the right dog for adoption.
- Don't introduce a new dog to your pet dog the day it arrives home. Keep your dogs outdoors and give new dogs time to explore your home first.
- Choose a neutral place to introduce your new dog to the dogs you keep. Neutral places in question are places that are not frequented by the dogs you pet. Introduce the dog slowly as the dog may need time to make friends.
Step 4. Know what to expect when dogs meet each other for the first time
Unleash the leash so the dogs can get to know each other in their own way. Dogs will kiss the buttocks and noses of other dogs, and show certain body language (walks stiffly, puts paws on other dogs' shoulders, fur stands on end, etc.). Dogs may also bark, whine, and whimper. This is a form of "dog socialization" and try your best to stay away from it and keep an eye on it as most dogs will deal with it on their own. The dog will seek his place in the pack and wait to convince all the dogs that you and others are the leader. Also pay attention to whether the dog is marking its territory or not (by urinating). Although considered a natural form of canine communication and a way of establishing dominance and social position, it can be a major problem if it occurs indoors. Dog training techniques or anti-urine products such as spray kits, dog diapers, and special dog clothes can help prevent this problem.
- Stay positive. Dogs will recognize negative emotions. Instead of worrying, be positive about the introduction and hope that the dogs will get along well. If you are enthusiastic about the introduction, the dogs will respond and take it as a sign to be positive about one another.
- Watch and keep dogs away from each other if you see or hear dogs bluffing, snarling and snarling at each other, both dogs are stiff and try to fight, one dog shows disinterest but the other continues to annoy him (common in combinations of senior and senior dogs). much younger), or if the dogs just stare at each other (fight for dominance). If these problems, separate the dog. Try introducing the dog more gradually. Taking him for a walk while really controlling him on a leash is a great way to get started.
- Seek professional advice if your dog continues to not get along well. Such problems can occur and expert advice can really help. You can ask your veterinarian, professional dog trainer, or animal behaviorist for advice.
- Keep an eye on the dog hierarchy. Hierarchies will form quickly and you will be able to see which dog walked, ate, spent time with you first, and so on. You should reinforce the hierarchy with your own behavior (as the leader) but without making the submissive dog feel alienated.
Step 5. Maintain a relationship and bond with each dog
Once you've successfully introduced the dogs, you can start raising them and establishing yourself as the leader. This is not as easy as one might think. If there is more than one dog, the dog may tend to perceive you or another family member as an inferior member of the pack (often because of behaviors and actions that inadvertently display it). Worse still, many people assume that dogs will pay attention to each other so as not to control and bond with every dog. But in reality, you should try to train and spend time with each dog equally.
Step 6. Prevent the change in dominance that makes the dog a leader
Train the dogs and also pay attention to your own behavior towards the dogs. Teach the dog basic discipline; if your dog has been trained before (before you got a new one), test for compliance and remind the dog as needed. Train your new dog to the same standards as your previous dog. Train the dogs to treat you and each family member in the house as leaders. If you don't, the dogs may fight each other for leadership and ignore your commands.
- Keep your position as a leader. You must remain the leader or "alpha" of the dogs. Keep the expectation that each dog will hear and respond to your commands through discipline training. If your dog is not listening to you, return to basic training. Don't walk him, play, or feed him until your dog obeys your commands. Don't let the dog through the door before you either and retrain the dog that did.
- Multi-dog training is a specialized field of science. Seek information on the best approach to do so and, if needed, seek advice from a professional dog trainer. Good training is important for harmony in the home.
Step 7. Let the dog spend some time alone
It would be nice if the dog managed to do it from the start. However, the dog may take some time to get to that point. If that's the case, try separating the dogs when you go out and slowly allowing the dogs to spend time together while you're home. Increase the time period until the dog can be left alone. The purpose of this exercise is to allow the dogs to be there for each other and not miss you or anyone else when you are not at home.
Cage training can be helpful at the start of training to get dogs used to each other's presence. Let the dogs be in the same room so the dogs can see each other's presence
Step 8. Know the signs of aggression
Look up information on dog body language so you can tell when your dog is "just playing" and actually fighting. This is no different from noticing the signs when dogs see each other in the first place. Stay alert for aggression that may occur when your dog is in the same place. Aggression can also occur even if the dog gets along well and has been properly trained. The times to be supervised are when the dog is sick, eating, being territorial, pregnant or nursing, and getting to know other pets or newborns in the family. Also watch out for when everyone in the family is too busy to spend regular time with the dogs.
- Be careful with objects that one of the dogs likes. Problems can arise if another dog uses it and most other dogs only understand when the dog growls. If the problem becomes more serious, remove and dispose of the object when the territorial dog is not looking.
- Never punish a growling dog. Dogs growl at each other to warn that the dogs are angry and prevent a fight. Grunts are the dog's version of diplomacy. Punishment may silence the dog, but it doesn't ease the dog's anxiety. Dogs that have been punished this way can attack without warning.
Step 9. Feed the dogs with individual bowls and allow plenty of space between them
If there are signs of aggression during feeding, you can even feed them in a separate cage or room. Feeding multiple dogs shouldn't be a fight. Make sure that dogs are not fed on top of other dogs or given less food than other dogs. Give each dog its own food bowl and area, and feed it at the same time. Feeding in separate kennels or rooms can reduce fighting problems caused by the relationship between dominant and submissive dogs. While it may seem trivial to humans, the problem is difficult to resolve and can be exacerbated if the dogs are too close together. When you're done feeding, clean up any leftover food so other dogs don't wander into other dogs' food bowls and mark them as territory.
- Feed the dominant dog first to prevent competition in the dog hierarchy.
- When giving bones, give each dog a good bone at the same time. If there are signs of disagreement over the bones, move the two dogs to different areas so that the bones of the submissive dog are not stolen by the dominant dog. Even if you have to create a separate bone feeding area (with wire and similar tools), make sure that both dogs get the bone (not taken by the other dog).
- One bowl of water for all dogs will suffice if it is large enough for the number of dogs you have. However, if you're concerned, use an extra bowl.
Step 10. Give balanced attention, but reinforce the dog's hierarchy
Dogs are herd animals and will naturally group themselves according to the order of the herd. In general, dogs don't care which herd they are in as long as they are sure of their position. Most people tend to try to create a fair and equal system by defending non-dominant dogs thereby disrupting the dog hierarchy. Fights can arise if the dog is not sure which dog should be the dominant dog. Make sure that the dominant dog in your house is given food, toys, attention, and gets in the door first. Don't ignore other dogs, but give them praise and attention after the dominant dog has accepted them. This will reduce the risk of competition for dominance.
Step 11. Make sure that each dog has its own sleeping area
Just like the food bowl, the bed should also be adapted to each dog. Clearly define a bed for each dog and place the bedding in different areas so the dogs don't feel like they are on top of each other. If not regulated, dogs that are kept with many dogs will tend to choose their own sleeping areas. If you don't like this option, you'll need to train your dog to sleep elsewhere. Don't be surprised if dogs sleep together either. Just make sure that each dog has enough space and pillows or bedding.
Step 12. Have fun
If you are constantly afraid of dog interactions, fights are more likely to occur because dogs can sense the emotions and fears of their owners. Relax and have fun!
- Entertain the dog. Provide lots of toys for the dog and replace toys that are damaged. Buy toys with bones, ropes, balls, etc. that your dog can access whenever they need them. If dogs are of different sizes, be sure to provide toys that are appropriate for their size.
- Get your dog to exercise regularly. This will release pent-up energy and reduce the dog's urge to bark to keep neighbors from being disturbed.
Tips
- Give your dog food according to his age and nutritional needs. Another reason why different feedlots are important is to avoid mixing up dog food. Although it takes effort, it is a must to keep a lot of dogs.
- If your dog has different grooming needs, spend time with the dog that needs the least by petting and cuddling.
- Dog castration. This will help stop domineering behavior and prevent accidental bowel problems.
- Older dogs may find it annoying to have an agile puppy. If you are adopting a new dog as a companion to a previously pet dog, consider choosing an adult dog.
- Train the dogs separately, or at least far enough away that the dogs are not distracted by each other's presence. It's best to train a dog you have (previously) before raising another dog, unless you are getting two or more puppies at the same time.
Warning
- Just like a noisy and active dog, a quiet dog also needs attention and affection. Give both of them equal love and attention.
- If your dog starts fighting, contact a professional dog trainer. Don't try to stop an aggressive dog yourself! Understand how to safely stop dog fights and seek information before adopting another dog. At the very least, throw a blanket over the fighting dog so that the dog doesn't know what's going on around him and gives you a chance to separate them.
- To prevent aggression and unwanted puppies, consider neutering. Dogs in heat can behave unexpectedly and aggressively when unsupervised.
- An overactive dog can be unintentionally aggressive. Feeding, home, and playtime times can be a source of stress for some dogs. So, be careful when the dog is too active.
