If one dog just isn't enough, consider a multi-dog household. Having multiple dogs living together can be a lot of fun, but it can be chaos at times. How do you manage several rambunctious dogs at the same time? It can be difficult, especially as a new dog owner, but it is possible. Here's how to manage your multi-dog home:
- Be patient when first adding pets to your home. Though it is best if the dogs are siblings, you can add dogs to an already established home. It does take some work. The first meeting between the newcomer and your established dog is always stressful because it sets the tone for the rest of their time together. If possible, they should meet in a neutral setting, away from home. Otherwise, your established dog may become territorial. See if the dogs can meet each other before you accept the new dog into your home; many shelters will allow this. Chemistry is key with dog interactions just like it is with interactions between people. If you are a new dog owner, try to avoid having two puppies at once, if possible, because this takes an enormous amount of energy.
- Understand how dogs interact. Does the growling mean playing, or fighting? You will learn to interpret each of your dogs' interactions the longer they live with you. If you have more than one dog, you will occasionally have dogs fighting. Know your dogs' fight triggers. Most of these will be short, and a result of the dogs trying to establish their own rank system. Neutering your dogs can reduce the number of fights. Have plenty of food and toys so that they don't fight over these. Pay attention to the pack order they have established; feed in order of rank. This may seem unfair, but your dogs need you to pay attention to how they have sorted themselves out.
- Train your dogs. Like with a single-dog household, trained dogs are much easier to handle than ones that run wild. Use positive reinforcement to teach your dogs to sit and stay. Teach each dog to respond to his or her name, so that you can get each dog to do what you want even when they are in the same room.
- Give each dog individual attention. Like children, pets need individual attention and bonding time. Spend one-on-one time with each dog every day, whether it is playing, walking, or some other activity. They shouldn't have to compete for your affection all day long. This is especially important if one dog has gained a position of dominance over the other.
- Purchase two of everything. Each dog should have their own toys, food dishes, leashes, and beds. They may be willing to share as puppies, but dogs can be territorial, and they will want their own things. To make it easier, you can assign each dog a color so that you can tell their belongings apart.
Having more than one dog can be great fun, but it does require effort on your part to manage a multi-dog household. You'll need to ensure that your dogs like each other, like you, and are well behaved. The rewards of having multiple dogs are obvious, but you must be a committed pet owner to make it work.
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