Currently in the United States about 45 million households own at least one dog. 

Many of those households own more than one dog.  Owning more than one dog can be a blessing or a curse. 

If you have multiple dogs who get along well together then you probably have a very happy living situation.

If, on the other hand, you have multiple dogs who are at each other’s throats you may be living a nightmare.

Many times when you have more than one dog in the house the problems start as soon as you bring the second dog home. 

Your first dog may feel threatened and upset by having a new dog in “his” house. 

The second dog may be insensitive or downright rude.  He may try to take things that belong to the first dog -- including you.  The root of the problem is always going to be that both dogs want to be first with you.

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You can help things along when you bring a new dog in the house by letting the dogs get to know each other slowly.  This may mean letting the two dogs meet in crates at first. 

You may need to divide up the house into separate areas -- one for the first dog and one for the second dog.  You need to make it clear from the start that the new dog cannot take things that belong to the first dog.

Don’t let the new dog take the first dog’s bed, toys or food bowls.  If you allow this to happen you will be looking at a war.  Besides, it’s just not fair to treat your first dog that way.  He has some status in the house because he was there first.  Don’t undermine him that way with the newcomer.

When you get a new dog, especially if the new dog is a puppy, you may be inclined to lavish all of your attention on the new dog.  If you do this you will be elevating him to a higher position that your first dog.  The wise thing to do is to continue to pay lots of attention to your first dog.  Reassure him that you still love him and that he’s still the top dog in the house. 

The more secure your first dog is about his position in your home, the less likely he is to resent the new dog.  When you have dogs who are secure about their positions you have peace in the home.

You also shouldn’t let a new dog, even a cute puppy, torment an older dog.  Even the kindest, gentlest older dogs will snap and growl when a new puppy teases them.  Teach a new puppy to keep some distance from an older dog.

You can make owning more than one dog easier by following these tips:

1.  Provide lots of toys and chew things. Make sure everyone has their own things.  Don’t let a new dog take away things that belong to a first dog.

2.  If there is a particular toy or other item that causes problems get rid of it.  It may come to symbolize everything the two dogs are fighting about.

3.  If the two dogs growl and fight at dinner time feed them separately.  Use crates or feed them in separate rooms.

4.  If the dogs fight over who will lay beside you it’s a good idea to favor the first dog -- the senior dog in the house, the dog you owned first.  This dog has seniority.  If you undermine him and promote the newcomer you will have more fights as they battle over who will be top dog. 

 

If you stick beside the dog who is already top dog you are approving the status quo.  The younger dog has to wait his turn to be the top dog.

There are actually benefits to owning more than one dog.  Dogs who get along well can entertain each other and keep each other amused when you’re not home.  Dogs like to have friends just as people do. 

Your dogs won’t be lonely when you’re at work.  Many dogs are best friends with each other.  They play, sleep together, eat together without problems.  Even when dogs have problems getting along it’s often only a spat.

If you take care to keep showing your first dog how important he is to you when you bring a new dog home he is much more likely to accept your new dog.  Most dogs adapt to having a new dog in the home and even develop friendships with their new housemates. 

Take some sensible precautions and your dogs can learn to live in peace and harmony.

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