On almost a weekly basis, our rescue gets emails and phone calls from families having difficulty introducing a second dog. Either the new rescue becomes hostile towards the dog already in the home or visa-versa.

This is normal and fixable.

The most important thing to do is not to panic. I had a similar experience when my second dog came and I called the rescue coordinator in a tizzy.

I had never seen two dogs fight like my two and someone manage to get along later – I had no idea such a transition was even possible.

Well, not only was it possible, but my two can not handle being apart anyone. They literally make themselves sick when I separate them. I now have to pay to have both of them groomed (even though one doesn’t need it) because they were so upset when I had to leave one at the groomer’s for just a few hours.

We have had a number of successful transitions with the following advice:

1. Keep either one or both dogs in a harness when they are in the house for a while. It is important to focus the behavior technique on both dogs (even if one is not causing any problems). When the offending dog acts aggressively or does something out of line- literally pick them up off the ground by her harness, get in their face and growl, “NO!” If both dogs have escalated the problem, scream at both of them.
2. After one or both dogs have been yelled at, one or both should go into her crate for 3 minutes. The worst punishment you can give a dog is not paying attention to them. Close the door so she can’t see you and only take her out of the crate when you are ready to- not when she starts to whine.
3. You eat first and she eats second – she must see you as alpha.
4. You walk through doors first – and then she can follow.
5. Your dog must sit, lay down, shake or do something for every last thing you do or give her. If she wants water in her bowl, she needs to sit down. If she wants a treat she needs to shake. I know this is hard as some of these dogs are just getting trained- but try working on sitting and that can be what she needs to do to get anything she wants. The technique is called “Nothing in Life is Free” and it is a great way to establish yourself as the alpha.
6. Do not mistake play fighting as real fighting. After you see a true dog fight, you will never again be left wondering if they are playing or fighting. It is abundantly clear when two dogs are trying to hurt each other. Let them play and let them go until you hear any kind of yelping or they get into a big fight. The longer you can let it go the better- they will work it out by themselves.
7. With dogs it is all about pack order. When a new member is introduced, there is often fighting to establish this order. You must ALWAYS show that you are the pack leader and making you unhappy is not a smart idea. You are the giver of the food, the water, the toys, the treats, and the love. They must please you in order to get what they need. And, your dog must be shown that fighting it NOT the way to please you.

Checking Your Own Emotions

This is an especially trying problem for owners because many people feel absolutely heartbroken for their first dog.

They often look at you as if to say, “Wasn’t I enough?” or “Why did you have to go and get another one?”

You must do your best to try and take your own emotion out of the training. If you have enough love, food, and treats in your house for two dogs- they will both quickly learn that there is enough to go around. It is important to give them time and let them adjust.

Perfect little packs do not happen overnight – it is both a time and effort commitment to make things work.