If your having trouble with your new dog and your dog not getting along, there are some things you can do. One thing to keep in mind though, is how bad are they not getting along? If they really dont like each other, is it fair to either of them to keep this new dog? If they arent getting along at all, even though there are things we can do, you will probably not be able to trust the two together. Is this something your willing to take on?
First thing we can do, is introduce both dogs to the Clicker
. Make sure both dogs understand what the click means, bring them into the same area, but far apart from each other. Youll need another person to help you, each of you handling each dog. You want to click and reward each time the dog looks away from the other dog. Once your dog is focusing on you, more than the other dog you can move in closer. Continue clicking and rewarding each dog for ignoring the other dog. You want to move in closer very slowly, inches at a time. Once your able to be about 5-10 feet from each other, start walking both dogs, keeping that distance between you. Keep clicking and rewarding for the dogs not paying any attention to the other dog. Youll have to use your own judgment here on when to move closer together. You only want to move closer when both dogs are doing really good on focusing on you. Remember, dogs are dogs and an attack can break out at any time. If your uncomfortable with this and really bad about reading dog body language, I recommend getting a professional to help you.
As you get closer, make sure the dogs are focusing on you. If dogs are doing extremely well, face one dogs butt towards the other one, click and reward the dog and keep his head occupied. You should pet him, holding his neck so he cant turn to bite the other dog. If hes being good you should also be treating him with your other hand. Let the other dog sniff him and be sure to reward that dog for good behavior too, not showing any sign of dominance. Now do the same with the other dog, letting that dog sniff. After doing this, please dont think both dogs are fine now and you can just let them play. You want to continue this for a few weeks, and. Go different places and practice, practice in the house, practice having dogs do obedience or tricks while in the same room. You want to do this until each dog is no longer showing ANY aggression signs towards each other. Even then you have to really watch them.
I highly recommend a professional to help you through this.
You might look into Its Me or the Dog: How to Have the Perfect Pet
, if your familiar with the TV show Its Me or the Dog, this is a book written by Victoria herself. I have not read it, so I dont know if it covers anything pertaining to introducing two dogs to each other. I do know Victoria follows this method of introducing dogs though. Another that might help you is Cesars Rules: Your Way to Train a Well-Behaved Dog
. Another favorite among many is Cesar Millan. Though I have read one of Cesars books and it was a good read, I havent read this one. So once again I dont know if it would help you with introducing dogs or not. Heres one Ive recommended before and will recommend many more times is Don Sullivans The Perfect Dog. Since the DVD on Amazon is so high priced, this time Ive linked you directly to the thane website where you can find lots of information on Don and his products. Watch videos and read testimonials. Once again I have his system myself and promise you, this is the real deal. I will say once again if you are all about positive reinforcement training and clicker training, you will NOT be happy with his system. He doesnt use treats at all and relies on a system of praise, toys, and freedom, along with discipline. If treats and clickers arent working for you, get his system. This system WILL help you in introducing two dogs and much more. You will be happy with how much information you will gain from his 2 DVD set. Here are a couple of videos to show you what I mean:
I have done his method on introducing several dogs, and yes they actually do respond exactly how the dogs in those videos do. It can be done.
Hopefully you find something that works for you and you can get your dogs doing good together. Dog aggression is difficult to explain when writing, and can be unethical to give tips when you havent seen the situation. I recommend educating yourself, and getting help from a Professional if your having trouble with your dogs. Find a method that works for you, if one method isnt working, try another one. Not all training methods work for every dog.
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