How to Get Two Male Dogs Living in Same House Not to Fight

Canines have powerful pack instincts and a dog needs to be a leader or be led by others. Putting two male dogs in the same home can cause fights. The pack drive may turn the sweetest dog into an aggressive one, because it becomes territorial when another dog joins the family. Prevent fights by taking the role of the leader of the pack. Fights and attacks often traumatize a dog for life and it may have difficulty socializing with other canines and may become aggressive.

Things You'll Need

  • Separate dog crates
  • Separate food bowls
  • Treats
  • Leash
  • Muzzle
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Instructions

    • 1

      Be assertive and establish yourself as the leader of the dog pack. In this manner you establish the pack rank and the dogs will be your followers.

    • 2

      Feed your dogs according to a schedule that you establish, and never feed your pets when they are begging for food. This is a way to establish your leadership. Don't allow others -- family members, roommates or friends -- to feed the dogs.

    • 3

      Use dog crates and keep the each dog in a separate crate until training them properly. If you already have a dog and introduce a new pet, keep the new dog in the crate and allow the old dog to smell it. Supervise your dogs while they get acquainted. Keep the initial meetings short and take them on walks together.

    • 4

      Correct behaviors such as growling or barking at the other dog. Use a strong "No" or "Don't" or give the dog a five-minute timeout period in an empty room that doesn't contain food, toys or other activities the dog can engage in. Ignore the dog for this time frame and don't respond to any sounds your dog may make. This is another way of establishing your leader position.

    • 5

      Intervene if you see that your dogs are about to engage in a fight. Notice signs of aggression such as growling, snarling, staring, raised hackles, stiff legs or elevated tail. Put one dog in a separate room or its crate to calm down. On the other hand, tail-wagging is a sign of friendliness and means that the dogs want to play.

    • 6

      Reinforce positive behavior in the two dogs. Give your pets treats whenever they respond to a command in the desired manner or when they are friendly toward the other dog. Don't throw the treats to your pets, because this may cause a fight for the treat. Instead, give each dog an individual treat.

    • 7

      Feed the dogs in separate rooms. This way they won't fight over food. Don't leave any food out after meals.

    • 8

      Don't encourage or initiate games such as wrestling between the pets because it may lead to a fight. Play with your dogs separately, in individual rooms.

    • 9

      Don't give your dogs toys while they are in the same room. This may lead to fighting over a toy.