Families who have at home a dog may consider getting another one, so as to guarantee the first one some company and the presence of a playmate. As you can imagine, however, the arrival of an "intruder" can be difficult to accept, and especially in the early stages it can be the cause of potential disagreements. The good owner, therefore, is the one capable of identifying an effective solution capable of ensuring happy coexistence.
What is the right approach?
We must start from the observation that, in the balance of the pack, hierarchy plays a major role, since we are talking about a social animal that cannot do without its peers. What are the aspects to which one must pay attention in view of the inclusion in the family of a new dog? First of all the breed: for example terriers, like other breeds, are rather possessive and competitive, and this means that sometimes they have problems sharing with other dogs not only spaces and toys, but also attentions of the owners. This type of discourse does not apply, however, to hunting dogs, which demonstrate that they appreciate the presence of another of their kind.
What you need to know
Experts recommend not to put together a puppy and a very old dog, while there are no problems if it is two puppies, who – indeed – will be able to play with each other. The suggestion is to adopt a puppy if the dog at home is already an adult, however, because in this way there is no risk of having to deal with competition problems related to play. In the case in which the two dogs are of the opposite sex, they will have no difficulty finding an optimal social balance, but obviously it will be essential to sterilize them. If, however, the two dogs are of the same sex, it is advisable not to opt for dominant dogs. Generally speaking, males are more aggressive and at the same time more intolerant towards members of their own sex. On the other hand, a pack consisting entirely of females, if small, is easier to manage, as the animals will be more peaceful.
How to introduce the two dogs
Before the cohabitation begins, it is advisable that the two dogs meet in a neutral place, which neither of them knows: the park, just to give an example. If the first dog is inhibited or submissive and the newcomer is the same, both will be afraid at first, but will become good companions as time goes by. If the newcomer is dominant, however, the first dog will continue to to be submissive, and his constant state of fear will put him under stress. Finally, if the second dog is balanced, depending on the case, he will be able to act as a leader or even just willingly accept the role of pack leader assumed by the first dog.
The double leash
It is a truly precious ally for all outdoor walks. Walking with two dogs becomes easy with this accessory, which eliminates the risk of getting caught: no tangles, in short. It is a retractable leash thanks to which it is possible to take two dogs for a walk at the same time and in any case manage control over all. The presence of an integrated untangling mechanism allows you to walk wherever and whenever you want, without any difficulty. Buy the double leash on the online shop tabbid-market.com.
How the owner should behave
How easy it is to guess, the attitude taken by the owner is of fundamental importance. He must give orders collectively, because with this approach no privileges are generated and, therefore, tensions cannot arise. Both dogs must sleep in the house, or outside: in short, what matters is that there are no differences. There cannot be distinctions not even in treatment: if one is cuddled, the same must happen for the other; if one is scolded, the same must happen for the other. However, it is always necessary to concentrate first on the dominant dog, and move on to the submissive one only if the first allows it. If this is not the case, it is better wait for the dominant to go awayThe acquired hierarchy must never be altered, just as habits must never be upset: in other words, the older dog must always be celebrated first, he must get into the car first, and so on.
Habits to consider
When the new dog is a puppy, both at home and during the walk it is essential to ensure that the attention is focus on the adult dog, who should be rewarded with treats and compliments if he ignores the puppy or is tolerant with him. It is important that the two animals are always taken out together, and that the submissive one is not protected by the dominant one. In other words, he must be left in the role that has been "assigned" to him, so that he is induced to respect the role of the pack leader owner. Education, on the other hand, must take place on separate tracks and in separate contexts: the aim is to prevent one dog from being limited or conditioned by the presence of the other. This does not mean that the two animals must not be managed equally, regardless of their character or merits.
The owner as leader of the pack
As mentioned, the owner is a sort of leader of the pack, and this is true both when one has to encourage a peaceful coexistence among animals, and even more so in case of tension. The two dogs must be given food separately, so that they do not take the kibble away from each other. At the end of the meal the bowls must be empty the waste. The toys, especially in the initial weeks, must be kept in different rooms, and it must be done in such a way that the first dog does not think that he will be left without his resting places because of the new arrival.
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