How to Raise Two Dogs

Raising two dogs is twice the work.

Pet owners may rationalize that raising two dogs together will provide each pup with a companion and reduce the amount of time the owner needs to spend with either dog. Nothing could be further from the truth. Raising more than one dog increases the natural pack behavior in both animals and the owner must work diligently to instill obedience. However, with consistency and structure, you can raise two dogs to be model members of the household.

Things You'll Need

• Two dog cratesTwo of all dog-related objects

Instructions

1. Choose two pups from a breed known for its gentle demeanor. In addition, question the breeder about the aggression level of the litter's parents. Some breeds, such as Alaskan Malamute, American bulldog, Doberman, pit bull, Rottweiler or German Shepherd, have a propensity for developing aggression and should only be raised together if the owner intends to train the animals extensively.

2. Minimize unsupervised playtime in puppies older than two months. Raising two dogs so they will keep each other company while you're gone can strengthen their natural pack instincts. Crate your dogs separately for short periods or kennel them outside in separate kennels to reduce their natural tendency to fight over food or objects.

3. Begin obedience training soon after bringing the dogs home. Sign up for a dog-obedience class in your community or devote time each day to teaching your dogs the basic commands of "Sit, Down, Come, Stay and Heel." Train only one dog at a time until each one knows the commands and can obey quickly.

4. Give each dog its own separate feeding bowl, bed and toys and correct a dog quickly if it attempts to dominate the other dog's items. By providing each pup with its own bowl and objects, you may reduce the dog's natural pack tendency to fight for possession.

5. Make the dogs earn every reward they receive. This includes their food. Wait until they sit on command or complete another task before giving them a treat or food. In this way, the dogs learn that you are the pack leader and obeying your commands is the way to obtain food, a tickle or a treat.

6. Spend time with each dog individually every day. As pack leader, your dogs want to be with you--that's healthy and normal. You may notice competitiveness for your attention and this can be used as a training aid. The dog that sits quietly when instructed should have the first walk.

7. Monitor play time. Young dogs can spend time together, as long as you're there, too. Allow them to play while you're in the yard and let them lie together on the floor when you're cooking or watching television. However, if any aggression occurs, separate the dogs into their own crates or kennels.

Tips & Warnings

• As your dogs mature, you'll be able to let them keep each other company without monitoring for increasingly longer periods, but before that occurs the ground rules must be firmly established.

• Two or more dogs will develop a pack mentality when left to their own devices. Often, this includes a strong prey instinct, whereby the dogs will chase cats together or worse. Dogs in packs are more likely to attack humans than is a single dog.

References

• "Howell Book of Dogs--The Definitive Reference to 300 Breeds and Varieties," Liz Palika, 2007
• Raising two pups at the same time--Why it's a Bad Idea
• Diamonds in the Ruff-Training Multiple dogs