How to Train a Dog to Like Other Dogs

Most dogs aren't naturally aggressive toward their own species, but there are some dogs who just don't like other dogs, whether it's a personal dislike or a trait of the breed. Though you might not be able to train your dog to genuinely like other dogs, you can take steps to reduce any potential aggression he has toward others. These steps also give him the opportunity to see that interacting with other dogs can be a positive experience.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Collar
• Leash
• Treats

1. Teach your dog basic commands like "Come," "Sit" and "Heel" before you work on getting him to like other dogs. You need to be in full control of your dog in social situations or it will be difficult to curb the dog's aggression.

2. Expose your dog to other individual dogs in a number of situations, especially if she's a puppy. The more exposure she gets to dogs in all sorts of situations, the less aggression she will show as she matures. For older dogs, it's best to use controlled situations, such as meeting a friend and his dog in a neutral area like a park.

3. Watch for aggressive body language when your dog is meeting another dog. Obvious signs like growling, staring and raised hackles are easy to recognize, but also watch for him raising his head, tail and ears; walking stiffly toward the other dog; and leaning forward.

4. Ignore your dog's aggressive signals if they happen, and stay calm. Give your dog the "Come" command and start walking away from the other dog. When your dog obeys, reward her. If your dog is sufficiently calm, allow her to approach the other dog again.

5. Reward a positive interaction with another dog through praise and positive body language.

6. Allow your dog to have supervised one-on-one play with any dog she seems to like. This creates a natural reward, showing her that other dogs can offer positive experiences.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep your dog on-leash as you're training him to like other dogs, and only encourage him to interact with dogs that are also on-leash. Otherwise, you may have a fight on your hands. Socialize your dog as soon as you get her. If you get her as a puppy, the process will be easier. However, even if you adopt an adult dog, you can train her to like other dogs.

• If you show fear of other dogs, your dog may pick up on this and engage in aggressive behavior to protect you. It's important to show your dog that you're calm and relaxed around all dogs if you want him to be as well. Dog parks can be overwhelming for puppies and for dogs that have aggressive tendencies. Unless you're certain of your dog's temperament, you should avoid dog parks.