With owning a breed that is known for its dog aggression, managing a multi-dog household can be tricky. Not to say it cannot be done, because it can, and quite successfully…. if you are dedicated to making it work.

Dogs have lived together for thousands of years and while dogs are “Pack Animals”, and the American Pit Bull Terrier is indeed a dog…. It was specifically bred not to crave a dog pack. It does not “need” a friend so if you are considering buying or adopting a companion for your current dog for that reason alone, please reconsider. While they can, if set up for success, play and enjoy other dogs, they do not need it any more than we need that second helping to dinner. Some people get a second dog because their current dog is bored. Did you know boredom can be easily cured with exercise?! Don’t have the time to exercise your first dog? Then please do not add a second!

If you have your mind made up that you are getting a second dog, or have one already please follow these key elements to having a successful multi-dog household for the American Pit Bull Terrier breed.

Yup, another reason to spay or neuter your pet!!! Getting rid of those pesky hormones can help create a more peaceful atmosphere in your home and within the pack. Fido and Rex wont be worried about that pretty Doberman down the street who is in heat and take their frustration out on each other. Sassy won’t be constantly pestered by Max of the simple reason that he’s an un-neutered boy and well…. She’s an un-spayed girl. Send hormones packing with a trip to the vet and help create a more harmonious household!

So lets first talk about pack order and the hierarchy of dogs. Since the American Pit Bull Terrier IS a pack animal, general pack guidelines do apply… but to the APBT, the humans ARE the pack and the dogs are usually the enemy. Dog aggression is something they were bred to have so having an APBT that can be around dogs safely takes proper and responsible management.

Now in any dog pack there is an alpha female and/or an alpha male and then the lower dogs. Think of it like ranks. The alpha female or male must always be you, the owner, and then come the dog(s). Within the dogs themselves you will have a happier “pack” if you pair your dogs correctly. If you own a dominant and outgoing dog, adopt a more submissive dog of the opposite sex. If you own a shy dog, adopt one that is outgoing, again of the opposite sex. Always do introductions prior to bringing the new dog home and make sure that the two (or more) dogs can get along. Chemistry is key!

Making sure the pack order and hierarchy is stable is a very important part of owning multiple dogs. If you already have one dog and are bringing a second one home… remember YOU are the pack leader and the first dog is second in command. Never let the new dog come in and “one-up” your new dog and disrupt the order that was already set in place.

Two is better than one! When it comes to managing a multiple dog household, having more than one can be a lifesaver. Forget ONE bone…. Two dogs mean TWO bones. Two dogs means TWO Kongs, TWO dog beds, TWO squeaky toys.  Making sure each dog has their own everything is essential to not setting up your dog to fail. Why argue over the only squeaky toy when there are two of them to share right? Why steal another dogs Kong when you have your own? Think as with children and toys, have one for each and avoid the arguments.

Now that being said, HIGH VALUE items such as a bone or a extremely special toy… those items should be for alone time only. Never leave high value items laying about or allow the dogs unsupervised with them, you are asking for a scuffle to break out. The higher the value of the item, usually the larger the scuffle will be. Again, relate this to kids…. Who wants to hear them argue over who’s red crayon it is let alone have it escalate to an all-out brawl and someone being seriously injured.

With any two dogs, irregardless of breed, they should be fed separately. While some people want their dogs to learn how to “share” one must realize that sharing is not something that dogs of old did. Food is a resource and for a dog to guard its food from another dog is called resource guarding and is perfectly natural. In the wild if a dog did not guard its kill it was taken by a bigger and more dominant dog and the weaker one starved. Besides, who wants to share their meal? I know I don’t!

To avoid any and all potential conflict now and in the future, feed dogs either in separate rooms, crates, or areas. Do not allow them access to each others food bowls and when meal time is over, remove the bowls from the floor and put them away until feeding time again.  This includes high-value items like bones or chew toys.

My safety, my Crate!

A crate can be a lifesaver, for you and your dog. A crate can be a place where your dog is placed when it cannot be supervised and saving your furniture, carpet, ect. A crate to your dog can be somewhere to escape when wanting to be alone, or even just a nice place to take a nap. When owning multiple dogs owing a crate is a must! Crates are a way of safely containing your dogs when you cannot be around to supervise their play. Crating is also a great way to feed the dogs separately and to give them those high value items we talked about. Yummy bones? Give them in the crates and save a dogfight!!

Property of PNWPBR 2008

All photos and content property of PNWPBR

2008