Jesse Gardner, Flickr
I have a 6-year-old Lab named Charlie. I also have a new man in my life who has a 4-year-old mixed-breed dog (about Charlie's size) named Kathy. The problem is that Kathy and Charlie don't get along. We tried having them meet on neutral ground at the dog park, but they just ignored each other or snapped a little. When I bring Charlie over to my boyfriend's house, Kathy is very territorial, and vice versa. How would you recommend we get these dogs to like each other?
It was a good idea to have Charlie and Kathy meet on neutral ground. Now the goal is to get Kathy to allow Charlie in her house (and, as you say, vice versa). Kathy and Charlie could both benefit from learning some basic skills that can be used to manage their behavior when they are together. The reason being that if you can have Charlie and Kathy respond to specific commands -- even when they are distracted by having the other dog near -- you'll be better able to control their interaction.
Start by teaching Kathy and Charlie to sit on command at home in their respective houses when the other dog is not present. A great way to do this is to make sitting a game. As soon as Charlie's rear touches the floor, give him a treat. Move around to different parts of the home or yard to ensure he will sit anywhere, anytime you give the sit command. Practice this when other dogs (not necessarily Kathy) are present so that you know he really has the behavior down. Have your boyfriend do the same thing with Kathy.
Other basic commands that should be taught to your dogs are "down," "come" and "stay." Having Charlie and Kathy do these when directed will make everyone's lives easier.
Now it's time to bring the dogs back together at one of the houses. If the dogs tend to react to each other by being annoyed and lightly growling (as opposed to a more violent reaction), it is probably OK to begin with both animals off leash. Before the growling starts, practice having the dogs sit at some distance apart. When they sit on command, give them a treat.
As the dogs get accustomed to each other gradually move them closer together. It may take time but eventually Charlie and Kathy should feel more comfortable around each other. If there is any sign of aggression such as one dog attacking another, the training needs to be done with both dogs on leash to keep everyone safe.
When dogs don't get along, some trainers suggest letting them "sort it out" themselves even if it involves a dogfight. This can be traumatic for owners and dogs, as well as dangerous for the dogs. There will also be some trainers who will recommend punishing the dogs for any signs of growling or fighting. But using a positive approach for acceptable behavior helps the dogs learn in a calm, systematic fashion that it is OK to have another dog in the house, and that there is nothing to be upset about.
Do you have an animal behavior question for Dr. Burch?
E-mail your questions to mary@pawnation.com. If you have questions or concerns about your pet's health, you should consult your veterinarian as soon as possible. Unfortunately, Paw Nation is not staffed to address individual questions about pet health, and we want your pet to stay healthy!
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I currently own 4 dogs (3 boys, 1 girl), and have fostered many dogs over the years. I find that putting the new arrival in my pen (30' x 50") and allowing my current residents out to meet through the fence produces excellent results. I gradually let mine in the pen, and then bring all into the yard (also fenced). After the meet and greet is finished, we all come in the house. I have never had any dogs fail to blend into the pack. It just takes some common sense.
read the book cesars way by cesar millan
awesome book !!
I took my daughters dog home with me because she was in apartment alone most of the day she`s 9 mon.old. This dog is spade and mixed boxer..I have a 21/2 yr. old chocolate lab and the 2 dogs get along great..My problem is we have a big back yard for the dogs to run and go potty. My daughter wasn`t strict about the potty and didn`t put her in cage when she went away..I go out with her and she will always go pee or poop..I usually take her out for the last time at night about midnight but she still has accidents in my kitchen..Question: is it to late to put her in a cage at night and when i go away? I`ve got to get this dog trained it`s driving me nuts with the accidents.. Thank You Judy Hayton
I would say at this point don't cage her (I'm not a big fan of the crate, anyway).
Keep her in a closed room with you, and watch her like a Hawk.
When she starts acting anxious (or starts looking for a "spot") take her out IMMEDIATELY, praise the Hell out of her for "going" outside and give her a tiny treat. Worked for me, and only took a few days.
My girl learned pretty quick that "potty" was an OUTSIDE thing.
Of course, getting her through the night was another issue! She sleeps with me, and whined to go out between 3-4 AM every night for about 4 months. Imagine some crazy guy standing in his backyard in his robe and slippers, with a flashlight in his hand saying "Good girl! Yes! Good girls go potty in the grass!"
SOOOO patient.
"Experts" would call me crazy, or tell me I've done it all wrong... FUGG 'em.
It worked, she's my dog and best friend, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Absolutely use your cage. Your not being cruel, your putting your boundaries down. It usually takes about a week or a little more for the dog to get the message. Remember you have to stand firm on this, if you start it and give in after a couple of days you will have done more harm than good. Good luck, Stay focused
I have five kids. yes they sleep witme, they think they should be able to eat out of my plate (jf I would let them). they are just perenant yhree yoar olds. they range from 2 1/3 to 11 years.they get along fine except when it comes to being on my lap. they growl at another wanting up. i have had all of them on my body at the same time........they just have to find a spot. four of them started with the pin in the dinning room (tile floor). We had the first dog then add one the first taught the second to use the dog-door. Then we added the 3rd, an 8 week old doxie pup..we would take he out of the pin & put her in the back yard. 1 & 2 had an invisable line in the backyard, When the pup was on their sid of the line it was the job of that dog to keep an eye on the pup. They taught 3 to use the dog-door.
as i wrote, above, they have been house broke buy using the pen. they have taught the ones that follow to yuse the dog-door.
we lost the 1st baby to cancer, but stil have five. my oldes daughter is a pet sitter and will bring a dog over from time to ntime. they get along with other dogs & show the visitor the dog-dor
Are you kidding? I've never had problems putting two pups together. Occasionally, I've had minor problems putting two adult dogs together, but it didn't last. I've done this for years. Sennen, you're right, it just takes common sense.
I just adopted a 2 year old female shepherd. I currently have a 2 year old male shepherd and a 5 year old lab. She was a bit aggressive to the lab but when he let her be the dominant one it was ok. The male on the other hand is not so into it. They are constantly attacking at each other. Does anyone have suggestions on how to have them get together, off leash eventually? I've read all ceasars books and read a ton online, Im just looking for more tips. PLEASE HELP, Im definetly in need.
When animals have behavior problems, its best to seek out a good trainer/behaviorist. (not the trainer at PetSmart) You can ask your vet for a recommendation. They can be expensive but If the dogs are truly aggressive, you can get injured along with your dog. You can use a training collar, but learn how to use them properly. They are not as evil as people think, and if it comes to a training collar or getting rid of your dog, or having it put down, it is a much better choice.
i got the same prblm but it is w the sheprd mom and her 2 1 year old pupies f. and a male specially w the f, dont like her at all shes very afraid of her mother so i keepm apart e-m me if u solve ur prblm ray 201 954 7062
I know what you mean...we have 4 dogs and 2 of them are bulldogs and they HATE each other...we have to separate them and have baby gates up all over our house...we need help BAD!!!
We had this problem with two of our dogs (we have three). They initially got along fine and then at one point our pit/terrier female and our great dane/shepherd male tried to kill one another (I was bitten very badly breaking up the fight but they were my babies so what else could I do). We seperated them and slowly reintroduced them (it was terribly time-consuming and frustrating) Anytime they showed any aggression we seperated them again and started all over. After time they were able to live together again. Twice they backslid and fought although I was able to break them up and we started the process all over again. It has now been over two years and they are best buddies and there have been no other incidents. I wish I could give you a simple answer. It took hard work and time but my wife and I did it and thank god were successful (since the only other alternative was to get rid of one of them and I loved them both very much and hated even thinking of doing that.
Thank you all for your comments. I have been to dog obediance as well as off leash with my male shepherd and we used the collar for that so Im well experienced with it
~ Kevin, your advice I believe to be true, I just have to take the time and make it happen. I really appreciate your comment and with your positive outcome it definetly helps me have some high hopes, even over long term!!
Thanks again.
Thank you all for your comments. I have been to dog obediance as well as off leash with my male shepherd and we used the collar for that so Im well experienced with it
~ Kevin, your advice I believe to be true, I just have to take the time and make it happen. I really appreciate your comment and with your positive outcome it definetly helps me have some high hopes, even over long term!!
Thanks again.
Good grief, people dont have time to coddle their dogs 24/7 with treats. Put them together and unless you see blood leave them alone, they will work it out. This has worked well for me numerous occasions. I have two dogs that sound like they are going to kill each other at times, then they snuggle up and go to sleep together.
I have 5 rescue dogs.
Cesar Millan just got lucky! Read the book. It sounds like a plight from his Hispanic Homeland.
We took the first wolf, used it for our benefits from day one.
2,000 years later we wonder why the "dog" is screwed up.
The moron who suggested letting the dogs fight it out shouldn't be let around dogs. I've had several fights in my home, the first took me off guard because they seemed to be getting along all right, then next thing I see is blood all over at shoulder height and a vet bill to boot. I have 2 half pit's that are littermates, one on one they are fine with other dogs, but together they are like tag team partners, one starts a fight and expects the other one to close it. After the second fight with another vet bill, we have learned that sometimes there will just not be peace and have learned to keep them away from my husband's german shorthair. Sorry to say she has to be caged to prevent trouble.
Is it possible to cage the aggressors for their behavior, rather than crating the target of the aggression? It seems like the wrong dog is being punished. (I know--dogs and people don't think the same, but I can't help but wonder what this might do to her spirit, being locked up just for being there. It hardly seems fair.) I'm not criticizing, just "wondering aloud...."
I have three male shih tzus and just adopted a 3 month old female Morkie. With each new addition, (I started with one shih tzu) I put the new dog in a pen and let the other dogs interact through the pen fence. When the excitement of the new arrival died down I let the new dog out of the pen, and after a good, long sniffing session, everything worked out and they all get along well.
i have two jack russells, been togerher since one was 6 months old and one 6 weeks old and believe me they fight nastly, i have to separate them when they do this , my boy dog has a very loving heart and my girl dog is nasty so if i am not home he is the boss, he is alpha dog when i am gone, but when i am home i have put them both on the couch for time out i give them 10 minutes and if they get down i put them back for another 5 min, it is just like kids take away what they want to do, freedom to move about as they want and it gets to them worse then if you hit your dog for fighting, i never hit my dogs never, if you hit your dog if you need them to come to you they are not dumb, they would think oh no i am not falling for that one again, call me hit me nope not comming to you, try sitting between them you two hold hands show some rubs , rub your head together show them this means loving, you and your husband or boyfriend show dog love this will show them it is ok to show love to another not just to a human but to another dog take them to a training class show them how to socalise ok spelling is bad here to , but you have to show doggy love in order for your dog to know its ok to love another dog and head rubbing and pulling the paw/hand to pet is good, pet each other and say good boy good girl to each other then counter react this to the dogs from both of you, show love and they will get the message.