Your Dogs Don't Get Along? Some Tips To Help

Bringing a second dog into your home is often done with your best intentions, because you want companionship for your current dog, more fun, or you just love dogs and want another dog in your home. But sometimes, things don’t go as planned. If your dogs don’t get along, it can be stressful and potentially even dangerous.

Whether the conflict is due to a recent introduction, a change in your home environment, or a power struggle between your dogs, it’s important to recognize the signs and take steps to address the issue immediately.

Below are some tips to help your dogs’ get along and create a more peaceful home for everyone.

Why Your Dogs Might Not Be Getting Along

First, you need to identify the reason why your dogs aren’t getting along. 

There are a few reasons why dogs might fight or show signs of aggression toward one another. It’s not always about dominance, although that can sometimes play a role. Dogs might clash over territory, resources (like food, toys, or your attention), or even have incompatible energy levels or personalities.

In multi-dog households, it's common for disputes to occur when one dog is overly excitable, while the other dog prefers a calm environment. If your older dog doesn’t get along with your younger dog, it could be a matter of tolerance and personal space. If you can get to the root cause of the behavior, that this is the first (and most important) step in trying to resolve the conflict between dogs.

Why Are Your Dogs Fighting in The First Place?

Sometimes it isn’t as obvious to find the root cause. But the most important thing you can do is observe their interactions. Try to identify when and why the conflicts are occurring. What is the trigger? Is it toys, attention, food or maybe a specific time each day – mornings or when they’re ready to go for a walk.

Maybe your dogs are fighting over a food puzzle. It that is the case, make sure they each have their own puzzle to play with or figure out.

How To Recognize the Signs of Aggression Between Dogs

It's not always easy to tell when dogs aren't getting along, especially if the aggression isn’t obvious. Subtle signs of dog-on-dog aggression include stiff body language, prolonged staring, lip curling, or blocking the other dog’s path. Growling, snapping, and biting are more overt signals that your dogs are not coexisting peacefully.

If your dogs’ fight frequently or exhibit any of these warning signs, it's important to intervene safely and calmly.  If you don’t address the fighting in the early stages, recurring fights can cause further damage to their relationship and increase the risk of injury.

Start With a Safe and Controlled Introduction

If you're introducing a new dog to your current dog, it's important to do so in a neutral space. A bad first impression can set the tone for future conflicts. Go for a walk together on leashes before entering the home, allowing the dogs to sniff and observe each other without being forced into close contact.

Once inside, use baby gates or crates to allow visual interaction without direct contact. This helps both dogs get used to each other’s presence in a safe and controlled way.

Use Positive Reinforcement to Encourage Good Behavior

One of the most effective ways to help dogs get along is through positive reinforcement. Reward your dogs for calm behavior when they’re near each other. This might include giving treats when they share space without growling or allowing them to play in short bursts under supervision if they’re getting along.

If your dogs don’t get along over food or toys, feed them separately and remove high-value items when they’re together. Building positive associations can help reduce anxiety and promote better interactions over time.

Establish Clear Routines and Boundaries

Dogs thrive on routine, and in homes with more than one dog, structure is key. Establishing a routine around walks, feeding, training, and playtime reduces the chances of competition and confusion. Dogs that know what to expect each day are less likely to act out or fight with each other.

Make sure each dog has their own bed, toys, and designated space in the house. This helps prevent resource guarding and teaches your dogs that they don't need to fight for space or your attention. If one dog is more possessive than the other, reinforcing boundaries consistently will help avoid escalating conflicts.

Manage Resource Guarding Around Food and Toys

If your dogs don’t get along over food or toys, it’s best to feed them separately and remove high-value items when they’re together. Resource guarding is a common trigger for dog-on-dog aggression, especially in multi-dog households. Some dogs may feel threatened when another dog approaches their food bowl, favorite chew toy, or even your attention.

Feeding your dogs in different rooms or using crates can prevent these conflicts from arising. It’s also helpful to pick up toys or bones when they’re not actively supervised. Over time, building positive associations, like rewarding calm behavior when the other dog is nearby, can help reduce anxiety and promote better interactions.

What to Do If Your Dogs Start to Agitate Each Other

If you notice that your dogs are beginning to agitate each other, i.e. pacing, staring, body blocking, or escalating in energy, it’s important to step in before things boil over into a full fight. Interrupt the interaction early with a calm, assertive voice and guide one or both dogs away using a leash or a visual barrier like a baby gate.

Offer a mental distraction such as a food puzzle or command-based activity (like “sit” or “stay”) to redirect their focus. Avoid shouting or reacting with panic, as heightened energy from you can ignite the tension between them. The key is to break the pattern early and reset the environment before conflict has a chance to erupt. Over time, consistent early intervention teaches your dogs that calm behavior is rewarded, while agitation leads to disengagement and redirection.

Don’t Punish Aggression—Redirect Instead

Punishing a dog for growling or snapping at the other dog can backfire. Growling is often a warning sign, and if your dog learns that growling leads to punishment, they may skip the warning next time and go straight to biting. Instead of punishing, redirect the behavior by calmly separating them and giving them time to cool off.

Use redirection techniques like calling one of the dogs away, using a leash if needed, or distracting them with a toy or treat. The goal is to create space without adding more stress to the situation.

When to Seek Professional Help

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, your dogs still don’t get along. If aggression persists or escalates, it’s time to bring in a professional dog trainer or a certified canine behaviorist. They can assess the dynamics between your dogs and develop a customized training plan that addresses the root causes of the conflict.

Helping Dogs Get Along Takes Time and Patience

If your dogs don’t get along, it can be emotionally draining, but there is hope. With the right techniques and a consistent approach, most dogs can learn to tolerate or even enjoy each other's company. Focus on creating a calm, structured environment and reinforce positive interactions. Be patient and realistic in your expectation as improvement in their behavior may take weeks or even months.