Your first dog was perfect, why not get another one! They need a friend and you did such an awesome job with the first one, you are feeling pretty great about your training abilities. Just like the second kid, the second (or third, or fourth) dog may not be that easy. Bringing home another dog creates a whole different dynamic in your house. Be prepared to keep everyone happy with these tips!
Crate and gate are your friends.
hanging out together but separately is a life skill
Even the best of friends need a break from each other. When management has already been established, separation becomes very easy and essential to avoid conflict. As the number of dogs increases, the number of barriers should as well. Having a few well placed gates and crates that are easily accessible can help prevent someone from making a bad decision.
No one is allowed to be a jerk.
My dog trainer friends and I were talking about our dogs taking things from the other dogs. One friend has a dog that will come ask her to get his chew back from their other dog. One doesn’t think her dogs would even consider taking something from another dog, it’s not part of their passive personality. In my house, those are fighting words. We have 2 dogs and 6 chews so everyone can get one and then some. Any grumbling and the thing gets taken away and no one can have it.
If one dog gets to staring or pushy then they go into their kennel for a few minutes to cool their jets. I will also intervene if the dog taking a break is still being pestered by the dog loose. Dog behind barrier needs to be left alone to cool down, and other dogs need to respect that.
Spend one on one time with each dog
All of my dogs get one on one time with me. For cuddles, for walks, for training time, we have a plan to spend some time together solidifying the bond we share and learning things about each other. This also helps the dogs learn to listen to you and bond to the human, making their lives less stressful because they know what is expected of them. Not cheating off the other dogs to figure it out.
This phenomenon is called “littermate syndrome” and I wish it was called something else because dogs do not have to be littermates. This happens when the dogs bond too closely with each other and not to the humans in the household. Odds are, your dogs are sharing bad information with each other since no one is fluent in the ways of the human. These one on one outings need to occur for the dogs whole life, not just for puppy classes.
This X-Pen sits in the wide doorway separating the hall way from the front of the house.
Don’t trap your dog
This might sound obvious but many people don’t consider spacial pressure and pets as ‘traps.” Tight spaces between furniture and doorways can make an insecure dog feel defensive if they do not have a way to escape a situation. This often becomes the location of first arguments between new additions. One dog comes around a corner and the other feels threatened or trapped in the interaction. Watching where you sit or blocking off sections of your house that might not hold two passing dogs comfortably is a great idea when everyone is getting to know each other.
Pets and cuddles can also feel like a trap to your dog. We advocate for consent pets with new family members, often because dogs don’t remember that leaving might be an option. If you continue to pet a dog who is uncomfortable, they may decide to lash out when you stop, because they were done 5 minutes ago. Practice giving your dog pet breaks where you lift all hands completely off them to allow them to decide if they want to stay. This can be especially helpful when other dogs are approaching. This gives the new dog the space and freedom to leave the situation if they want to.
Want to learn more about making sure your new addition settles in without any issue? Schedule a phone consultation here!