How to Have Multiple Dogs in Your Household

Having multiple dogs can ensure that your pets do not get bored, as they have other dogs to play with when you are gone for the day. You can also give a dog from a shelter a good home. Multiple pets often come with added costs. If you have the time to train and monitor your pets, having two or more dogs can be a rewarding experience.

Things You'll Need

  • Crates
  • Baby gates
  • Toys
  • Adult or puppy dog food
  • Water and food bowls
  • Leashes or harnesses
  • Dog beds
  • Carpet cleaner or pet cleaner
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Instructions

  1. Demands of Multiple Dogs

    • 1

      Reward the two dogs with treats or affectionate gestures when they are friendly towards each other. Give your pets time to adjust to each other, especially if you have recently introduced a new dog into a household with an existing pet that has already lived in the house for a long period of time. Let adult dogs exhibit warning signals, such as growling, to let puppies know that they will not stand for certain behaviors but do not allow adult dogs bite or harm younger pups. Put both dogs on leashes when you first bring the new dog into your household to have control of them. Keep your dogs in separate rooms or areas when you are not watching them until they get more used to each other.

    • 2

      Train your new dog to urinate and defecate outside and follow basic commands soon after you bring it into your household. Keep training your other dog, especially if it is still young. Training both dogs can help to establish you as the dominant member of the pack. Use positive reinforcement during training, giving treats immediately after they follow a command.

    • 3

      Neuter or spay one or both dogs to keep them from mating or fighting. Get male dogs neutered to keep them from lifting their legs on furniture. Female dogs will also sometimes urinate in the same spots to mark their territories. When one of your dogs urinates on the carpet or furniture, clean the mess up with pet spray as soon as possible to keep your pets from urinating on the same spot again.

    • 4

      Play with and exercise both dogs separately and together, so that they each get time with you by themselves. Make sure to spend extra time with the dog that has been in your home the longest to reassure it that it still has a prominent place in your household.

    • 5

      Provide your new dog with separate food and water bowls when you first bring it into your home. Keep separate dishes for both dogs if one tries to keep the other from using a food or water dish. After dogs have become familiar with each other, you may be able to let them share food and water dishes.