How to Live in a Multi‐Dog Household: 15 Steps (with Pictures) (2024)

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Co-authored byJaimie Scottand Amy Bobinger

Last Updated: January 31, 2023References

1. 1

   Choose a dog that will fit in well with your other pets. If you're thinking about adopting a new dog, think about the pets you already have, then consider what type of dog might fit in best. Consider the animals' temperament, breed, size, age, and even sex as you're making a decision.^[1]

   • For instance, if you have an older dog that doesn't get around very well anymore, it may not get along as well with a very active and enthusiastic young puppy. An older puppy or an adult rescue might be more suitable for your family.
   • On the other hand, if you have a dog that has a lot of energy and needs a lot of attention, a young puppy might help your existing dog get more exercise, while also addressing its socialization needs.
   • In general, dogs get along best in a male-female combination. Male-male combinations follow next, while female-female combinations are the most likely to experience conflict.
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   Introduce the dogs on neutral ground. The best way to introduce your existing dogs to the newest member of the family is to bring them somewhere that's unfamiliar to all of the dogs, like a park you don't usually go to. That can help keep them from getting territorial when they meet.^[2]

   • It's a good idea to introduce the dogs before you commit to bringing the new one home. That way, if the dogs don't get along, you can keep looking for the right fit.
   • If the weather permits, an outdoor location is best, since the dogs will have plenty of space to get comfortable with each other. Keep the dogs on a long leash so they can explore, but you can still control them if you need to.
   • If possible, have an adult for each of the dogs at the meeting. You may need to ask a friend or two to help out!
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   Bring the dogs together gradually. Start by walking the dogs on leashes so they can see each other, but they're not so close that they have to interact. Keep your own demeanor calm and relaxed, and just walk until you notice the dogs starting to feel more comfortable. If the dogs react positively, give them a treat and gradually walk so they're closer and closer to each other. However, if they seem tense, nervous, or aggressive, casually move them further apart until they seem relaxed again.^[3]

   • Allow the dogs to sniff each other if they seem comfortable. Don't tense up, as that may send a signal that something's wrong—try to project calm but enthusiastic energy so your dogs will get the signal that this is a positive encounter.
   • You may hear the dogs whine, whimper, or bark when they approach each other. These noises are a part of canine socialization, so unless they're otherwise acting in a way that raises red flags, don't worry.
   • It may take a while before the dogs are relaxed enough to walk together. Don't rush the process, and don't force them to interact with each other—that can make the dogs more nervous, and could cause them to react aggressively.
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   Keep your new dog separated once you bring it home. Even if there were no issues at all during the initial meetup, your resident dogs might get a little territorial when the new pup arrives. To help avoid that, put them outside or in another room before you bring home the new dog. Give your new dog time to explore your home and get comfortable before you bring your other dogs back out.^[4]

   • You can use baby gates to keep the dogs separate if keeping them in another room or outside isn't a good option.
   • If it's possible, keep the dogs separated any time you won't be around, for at least the first few days.
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   Allow the dogs to interact in short, supervised bursts. Once the new dog has a chance to explore its new home, you can bring your other dogs in for a short while. First, clear the area of any foods, treats, or toys that the dogs might fight over. Bring in the other dogs, and remember to keep your demeanor relaxed but upbeat!^[5]

   • Have high-value treats like bones, pigs' ears, or rawhide available, and give them to the dogs if they react to each other in a positive way. However, avoid giving these treats to your dogs if they tend to get possessive or aggressive over them.^[6]
   • Try to keep the dogs from getting overly excited, as this can make them more likely to upset each other. Separate them if they start to get too riled up.
   • Include plenty of comfortable places for the dogs to lie down so they don't get possessive over the best spot. Also, have more than 1 water bowl in the room so they don't fight over a drink.
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   Separate the dogs if they act aggressively. If you see or hear the dogs snarling, rushing at each other, growling, posturing, or staring intently at each other, there may be a struggle for dominance occurring. If that happens, you should quickly but calmly intervene and separate the dogs. After they have a chance to cool off, you can gradually introduce them to each other again.^[7]

   • Other signs of aggression or anxiety include the dogs' hair standing up on their backs, baring their teeth, walking with a stiff gait, or acting in a way that's out of the ordinary for your dog.
   • If you've tried repeatedly to introduce the dogs and they just won't get along, try reaching out to your vet, a professional dog trainer, or an animal behaviorist for help.
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   Work towards letting your dogs spend time alone together. Keep supervising the interactions between your dogs until they seem comfortable, and keep them separated in crates or different rooms when you're not around. As they feel more relaxed with each other, start leaving them together while you walk out of the room for a few minutes at a time. Gradually work up to longer stretches while you're home, then see how they do if you put them together while you leave for a few minutes at a time.^[8]

   • Over time, leave them together longer and longer, until you're sure the dogs are comfortable with each other. At that point, your new dog is fully settled in!
   • Crate training can help initially when training your dogs to get used to one another. Keep them in the same room so that they can see one another.

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1. 1

   Establish yourself as the leader of the pack. Any time you interact with your dogs, carry yourself with authority, and have everyone else in your family do the same. Dogs naturally establish a hierarchy, especially when they're around other dogs, and it's very important that the dogs understand that humans are in charge. If you don't do this, the dogs will fight each other for the top position and ignore your commands.^[9]

   • Especially be sure to communicate to the dogs that you are in control of the territory, as that can help prevent a big source of conflict. For instance, if a dog bares its teeth or growls to protect its spot on the couch, you might make both dogs get down off the couch and sit in that spot instead.
   • There's a school of thought that says that it's healthy to reinforce the hierarchy amongst your dogs, as well. For instance, if one of your dogs is clearly the alpha, this school of thought says you should feed that dog first, let it walk through the door first, and so on. If you decide to do this, make sure you do so consistently so you don't send confusing signals to the dogs.^[10]
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   Spend time with each dog individually. Although your dogs can help keep each other company, they'll still each need to feel close to you. However, don't feel like you necessarily have to spend the exact same amount of time with every dog—some dogs may need a little more attention and training than others, depending on their personalities. This will ensure that each dog gets what it needs to feel happy and secure by showing them that you're in control.^[11]

   • For instance, you might walk each dog individually so you can have some time together, or you might have separate weekly training sessions for each dog.
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   Feed your dogs separately. At meal time, place the dog's bowls far apart from each other. That way, the dogs will be less likely to wander over to each others' bowls, which could cause one of the dogs to snap at the other. It's also a good idea to stand in between the dogs while they're eating, at first. If one of the dogs wanders toward the others' bowls, chase them away to make it clear that's off limit.^[12]

   • When feeding time is finished, remove the food so that there is no temptation to wander over to the other dog's food bowl, potentially sparking a territorial conflict.
   • If you know which dog is the alpha, you should reinforce the hierarchy by feeding that dog first. You don't have to wait until that dog is done eating to feed the second dog—just give the alpha its food first, then feed the second dog.^[13]
   • One water bowl is probably fine for all of the dogs to share, but if you have any concerns, add another water bowl as well.
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   Ensure that each dog has its own sleeping area. As with food bowls, beds need to be tailored to each dog. Make it clear which bed belongs to which dog and keep these in distinct parts of the sleeping area so that they don't feel on top of one another. ^[14]

   • Left to their own devices, dogs in a multi-dog household will tend to choose their own sleeping spots. If you don't like their choices, you will need to train them to sleep elsewhere. And don't be surprised if they choose to sleep together; just be sure there is enough space and a cushion or bedding for each dog.
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   Don't punish the dogs for warning behaviors. Dogs warn each other by showing their teeth or growling. These behaviors aren't necessarily aggressive—they're just the only way dogs have to tell each other they don't like what's going on. While it might be a good idea to intervene if you see something like this, you should never punish the dogs, as that can make them anxious or aggressive whenever they feel uncertain.^[15]

   • Instead, try separating or distracting the dogs. For instance, you might command both dogs to get into their kennels, or you might grab their leashes and take them out for a walk.
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   Go through obedience training with each dog. Teach your dogs basic commands like "Sit," and "Stay." Also, teach them to patiently wait for your permission before they eat. These commands are important even if you only have one dog, but if you have more than one, it's essential that you be able to control them with simply an authoritative word.^[16]

   • If you're comfortable training a dog on your own, that's fine. However, if you don't have a lot of experience teaching a dog basic commands, you may want to consult a professional trainer.
   • Also, consistently enforce your household rules. For instance, if you don't want the dogs to sit on the couch, never let any of the dogs onto the couch.^[17]
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   Offer treats or praise when the dogs are getting along. Positive reinforcement is a very effective training approach when you're working with dogs. If you notice your pups lying side by side quietly, give them a treat or a pat on the head to let them know you're happy with what they're doing.^[18]

   • Over time, this will help the dogs learn that you expect them to behave calmly around each other.
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   Keep the dogs well-exercised and entertained. Bored dogs tend to misbehave, and that can mean big trouble if you have several dogs teaming up together. Protect your belongings and your sanity by making sure your dogs have plenty of toys and activities to play with, like puzzle balls that dispense treats and durable chew toys. In addition, take your dogs for a walk and give them some time to run and play every day.^[19]

   • Dogs who chew your belongings, get into the trash, bark excessively, or frequently escape are usually bored. You may be able to help prevent some of these behaviors just by giving your dogs the exercise they need each day.

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