How to Train Your Dog to Accept Another Dog

Hello Ana, How old is the puppy? With puppies, most dogs will give a grace period, where they will tolerate a lot of rude behavior from a puppy because they are young and learning. Once young puppies reach a certain age, older dogs will begin to be less tolerant of any rude behavior from the puppy, and expect them to interact according to certain doggie social standards - expecting the puppy to not stand over the older dog, not rush at the older dog's face, not stay in the older dog's face for too long, not refuse to let the older dog sniff their bottom also (the dog equivalent of a hand snake - which should be mutual), and not display any overly dominating, challenging posturing during the interaction. More mature adults who are well socialized are often better at tolerating these and more patient in the way they correct. An immature adult might be impulsive and intolerant of such rude behavior. 1-2 years is also when dog aggression is more likely to surface because of mental and sexual maturity, even when the dog is spayed or neutered, and especially if a female is not spayed and about to go into heat or already in heat. How has she responded to other dogs since then? Sometimes two specific dogs simply don't like each other even if they get along with others. I would start by introducing to a basket muzzle so you can practice safely. If the issue is only with that one dog, you would need to be able to practice with that friend and their dog. With the basket muzzle in place, I would practice the passing approach method from the article below. I would pay attention to how the puppy is interacting with her and whether the puppy is part of the issue too - although that doesn't excuse her lack of tolerance, addressing pup's rude behavior if present, could help with future introductions if both dogs are worked with on their own training needs. https://wagwalking.com/training/greet-other-dogs If the issue is generalizing to other dogs too, I would start working on a lot of structured obedience, so pup learns to look to you for instruction instead of making their own decisions around other dogs. Sometimes a young adult who lacks impulse control needs a lot of extra boundaries and instruction at this age, and it needs to be at an advanced obedience level for them to respond to you even while aroused around other dogs. Check out trainers like Sean O Shea from the good dog and Thomas Davis from america's canine educator on youtube and online to see some examples of different types of aggression being diagnosed and worked with. How you train depends a lot on the type of aggression and individual dog. If pup isn't spayed, I would get her spayed to help level out hormones, which can be very related to overly strong reactions toward other dogs, especially other females in general, and males when in heat. If she is in heat, keep her away from all other dogs for the next 2-3 weeks. Basket muzzle introduction with treats: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJTucFnmAbw Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

June 16, 2022

Hello Rachael, It sounds like Lola is actually acting possessive of you. I would start by gentle building Lola's respect for you ahead of time so that she doesn't feel like she can guard you from the other dog, but instead takes her instructions from you. Check out the three methods from the article I have linked below, as well as work on teaching Lola commands like Leave It, Off, Out, Place, and Down ahead of time. Respect methods- recommend all three https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-doberman-to-listen-to-you Out - which means leave the area: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ Leave It method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite Place command: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O75dyWITP1s Down-Stay: https://www.thelabradorsite.com/train-your-labrador-to-lie-down-and-stay/ Heel- Turns method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-poodle-to-heel Off- section on The Off command: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-train-dog-stay-off-couch/ I recommend practicing the Walking Together method from the article I have linked below with both dogs if your friend lives nearby now. Work on getting both dogs working together via a structured heeling walk, where both are expected to focus on their owners and heel behind your leg during the walk while around each other. If Lola isn't already great at heeling, check out the Turns method from the article I have linked above. https://wagwalking.com/training/greet-other-dogs When they first start living together, I would have both spend a lot of time on their separate Place beds, calmly coexisting that way. Crate or confine both away from each other when you can't supervise. Not allow either on the furniture or onto your lap unless invited, and generally you be the one to make and enforce house rules for both, so that neither is trying to control the actions of the other dog, but obeying your house rules. I would start structured and with lots of boundaries, walking them together to help bonding, and giving more liberties as they show they can be respectful of each other and are comfortable with each other, listening to your rules for how they should interact. You can reward both with a treat when the other dog isn't looking when you catch either being calm and tolerant around the other dog - but keep your rewards sneaky because you don't want either rushing over and causing a fight over food. You simply want to encourage good manners around each other. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Feb. 2, 2021