Keep the dogs separated at first
Many people tend to think that when dogs interact more with each other, the faster they can get along. Thus, they force the dogs to share the same dog bowl, play with the same toys and sleep in the same den. Unfortunately, thats not going work. It is safe to assume that every dog needs some alone time, particularly for two dogs that aren’t familiar with each other. Give each dog its own room and space where it won’t feel threatened by the other dog’s presence .
Keep the dogs separated when they are eating. You may feed them at different corners or in a different room. Training should be done separately too. By the time you feel that both dogs are getting used to each other and doesn’t show any aggressive or hostile behaviour towards one another, separation is not necessary anymore. The baby gate may do wonder in helping you to separate the dogs. It allows the dogs to see each other but doesnt allow them access to one another.
Dogs are pack animals by nature. Every animal pack has a leader, an alpha animal who dominates and leads the other members in the pack. As Cesar Millan, a world renowned dog expert says in his article Dog Pack Hierarcy, “They are happiest when they have this structure because the followers want to be told what to do and know what the leaders expect of them.”
Therefore, every dog pack must have a leader. Dogs will instinctively compete to become the alpha in the pack. This is obvious when a new dog is being introduced to the pack. The interesting thing is you and your family are also considered part of the pack. Hence, what you need to is to seize the alpha position in the pack and dominate the pack. If your dogs see you as leader, they won’t see each other as rivals in the pack and could possibly get along well.
What You Should Know Going Into The Introduction
Establishing a basic strategy can be helpful in setting your dogs up for a smooth meeting. On the other hand, neglecting these points can undermine your dogs’ chances of getting along.
Do dogs get jealous of other dogs?
“Research has supported what many dog owners firmly believe — dogs exhibit jealous behavior when their human companion interacts with a potential rival,” said Amalia Bastos with the University of Auckland in New Zealand, who was the lead author on the paper.
How to Make Dogs Get Along and Like Each Other
Introducing a new dog to your family dog is sure to spur a mix of nervousness and excitement.
In order to make the transition smooth, you should plan each step of the process—from the dogs’ first meeting to the steps you’ll take to keep the peace for the first few months.
The first step toward ensuring a lifelong doggy friendship is for you to have a plan and a calm approach.