How to Encourage Dogs to Make Friends

Whether you're introducing a new pet or spending the day with another dog lover, here are some tips that can help your dog enjoy each other's company. Remember that dogs have different rules and communication than we do. After all to them butt sniffing is very polite. These tips may help you with your aggressive or territorial dogs, but I'm not writing specifically for those issues.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• park or other nuetral territory
• dog treats or food
• collar & leashes

1. Neutral Territory
   First introduce your dogs on neutral territory like a park. This takes away each dog's instinctive need to guard it's territory ( and you) from intruders. You could also use a nearby yard.

2. Calm Demeanor
   Each owner should be calm. Excitement can lead to aggression. Pulling on the leash sends tense or scared messages to your dog. ( have you ever noticed police & guards pulling on the leash of their dogs before releasing them to attack?). Act like its no big deal.

3. Walk Together
   Before or after meeting, have your dogs walk together. This puts them into a pack mentality and can expend any nervous or over the top energy. It also reminds your dog that you are in charge ( and in charge of protection/attacking) instead of himself.

4. Treat By Hand when together
   Let the dogs associate each other's presence with yummy yummy treats. This might work on humans too! Try giving your boss a treat every time you enter their office. jk You can also use the treats as a reward for calm sitting behavior. Gradually decrease the distance between the sitting dogs.

5. Don't tolerate aggression
   Any lip curling, still stiff stances (usually very stiff & watching out of the corner of their eyes) or growling should not be tolerated by humans. However, yelling at your dog " NO! BE NICE!" or comforting " don't worry puppy-poo" are counter productive and often encourage escalating behavior. Encourage the dog with aggressive behavior to sit, give a tiny hug on the leash or even hold them down on the ground to show that you are the dominate dog. Obviously use common sense. This is another time you could use step 3 or step 4.
   
   Good luck and check out some of my other dog articles! You can message me through EHOW for more questions or advice but my answer may not be timely.

Tips & Warnings

• These tips are for dogs with rare aggressive tendencies.
• Remember that if some little kid was jumping on your face you would be grumpy too. Adult dogs may tire of puppies after awhile.
• Dog parks are great place for your dog to sniff and socialize.
• Seek the advice of a trainer if you see consistent dog aggressive behavior.
• Have the dogs wear leashes just in case you need to separate them.
• Don't interrupt fighting dogs with your hands! Even little bites hurt and can cause severe damage to your hands.
• Don't pet or coddle a growling dog, that encourages it. Tell the dog to cut it out.

Resources

• Introduce new dog to "old" dog at home
• Introducing two dogs
• Introducting dogs & Cats