How to Make Your Dog Respect Your Other Dog

Dogs are social animals and benefit from interaction, either with their human companions or other dogs. When a new dog is introduced into a home that already has one or more dogs, he will have to learn to respect and earn respect from your current dog. Since a well-trained dog will recognize and obey your authority, you can teach him to respect the new addition by taking care to introduce your dogs properly and showing your first dog that the new dog is a welcome member of the family.

Things You'll Need

  • Leashes
  • Collars
  • Treats
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Introduce your dogs properly. If you are bringing a puppy into a house with one or more older dogs, dog trainer Cesar Millan suggests introducing her to the youngest or most energetic dog first, until his parenting instincts kick in and he welcomes the puppy as his own. The ASPCA recommends introducing your dogs, on leashes, outside the house to reduce the new dog's anxiety about encroaching on your other dog's territory. Let them sniff each other for a few seconds, then pull them away before letting them greet one another again.

    • 2

      Establish yourself as the alpha. Your current dog should already recognize you as the pack leader, but your new dog will have to learn his place. Use the same methods you did to establish dominance over your first dog: always eat your meals first before feeding the dogs, never let them walk ahead of you up stairs, and reassure both dogs about their place in the pack. Constant supervision is important at this point to stop any fights by separating the dogs at the first signs of aggression. Both dogs will learn to follow your lead once they recognize you as the pack leader.

    • 3

      Keep the dogs mostly separated until they're used to each other. Dogs are competitive when it comes to food, toys and territory, so until your new dog is completely comfortable with your first dog, you should feed them separately, keep them separated whenever you can't be there to supervise, and keep all toys away from them when they are together. The ASPCA recommends keeping your new dog confined in an area where the current dog can visit as he pleases until they are well-acquainted. Be sure to spend time alone with each dog so each knows he is not being replaced.

    • 4

      Socialize your dog from the time he is a puppy to get him used to interacting with other people and animals. If you adopt an older dog, this is beyond your control, but bringing a new puppy home is the perfect chance to socialize him properly. Introduce him to new situations gradually and in a way that makes him feel safe, so he learns not to be anxious in unsure circumstances, such as meeting new dogs. A well-socialized dog will adapt easier, whether he is the resident dog having new dogs brought in or he is the new dog brought into a house full of other animals.