This is the reason it is important for the owner to establish himself/herself as the alpha dog among the pack, which is a daunting task when dealing with more than one or two dogs. Without the alpha dog dominance over the situation, and sometimes even with the dominance over the situation the dogs may love you but may not necessarily respect you enough to bow down to the natural instincts of the canine DNA and call of the wild, so to speak. Situations such as bringing a new dog into a home without taking the necessary steps can cause these natural instincts to crop up causing major problems, sometimes even deadly ones.

Each time one adds a new dog to the home, there is a new ranking or re-establishment of the pecking order. The owner's position is equally a challenge in remaining in control as alpha dog. According to veterinarian sources, inter-female dogfights are worse as they can be extremely fierce in protecting their territory. In fact, once a dog experiences the viciousness of an attack, it can take a lifetime to get past the attack if ever. The traumatic experience can cause an otherwise submissive dog to become aggressive and leery around other dogs to the point where the submissive formerly attacked dog will fight instinctively to protect himself/herself from any new dog brought into the animal's space.

Unless the owner provides extensive professional training to help this dog overcome these fears and anxieties, the dog will become a fighter for life thus becoming a danger to other dogs and to people as the dog takes the stance that a good defense in a better offense. The human pack leader must make it clear to the dogs that this type of behavior is neither acceptable nor tolerable. While the alpha human does not realize it most of the time, the weaker dogs look for the alpha human to protect them from the stronger and more aggressive dogs.

Before bringing a new dog into the home, it is important to purchase a crates large enough for the dogs to stay in when the alpha human is not around and to prevent fights. Before bringing the new dog into the home, it helps to introduce the animals in a neutral territory such as a park or friend's backyard a considerable distance from ether dogs' homes. Keep both dogs on leash at all times. Keep them a few feet from each other to prevent either dog from getting close enough to take the initiative to fight. Slowly and with quiet tones, speak to each dog making certain one dog does not receive more attention

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

---

Add your voice

Know something about Introducing a second dog into your home?
We want to hear your view. Write now!