Taking them into the garden likely still caused problems as it isnt on neutral territory, a lot of people go wrong introducing dogs in the garden first off but its still one dogs stomping ground. Best thing always is to take them outside and walk them together, with two people. Then its truly neutral and taking them both for a long walk gets rid of excess energy.

If dogs are going to kick off then the main triggers are food,chews,treats,attention, confined spaces, (even two dogs trying to go through a door or walk past each other if its confined) Times of hyper excitement like visitors coming. Those are usually things to make dogs compete.
and even ones that get on long term a bitch in season in the vaccinity can do it.

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I got my second dog Ace just 3 days ago and so far, all has gone quite well, but at the moment they seem to just be tolerating each other really well.

Sailor is very excited about having Ace here, so he is forever trying to start a game of chase... but then he will also try to be dominant and tries to stand tall over Ace and hump him etc.

Ace growls quietly an awful lot, warning Sailor to go away, which luckily he listens to majority of the time, other times I tell Saior LEAVE and praise him for doing so.

I had a fight this morning over a chicken wing! Sailor ate his really quickly, but Ace lay next to his and before I had chance to act, Saior had ran out the kitchen into the back graden and tried to steal the chicken wing

I didnt want to slit them up and risk injury so I did the next best thing... grabbed the chicken wing and walked away. They both stopped instantly and follwoed me, wagging tails and looking all innocent, hoping I would return the chicken wing

Then later on in the day, I walked Ace seperatley, as I am still trying to learn aboutAce, what he is like outside etc and we had a good walk, but when we returned and I put their tea down, both ran to the same bowl and a scrap started again, so I simply picked up the bowls and again, the figth stopped.
It was more noise than actual fighting tho, altho Sailor was left with a small graze on his nose

I cant help but think what have I done
But I cant give up straight away, they seem to get on ok and I believe so long as I can keep them active and avoid scraps over food/attention happening... all will be well, eventualy!

One thing I have found that seperating them makes things worse.
If they are in seperate rooms, when I pair them back up, Sailor tends to be excited again and feels the need to start the dominance parade all over again.
A brisk walk together has helped loads with them getting on better, I think its because they spend a good 10 minutes together doing something active... so they bond slightly, get used to each other and more imprtantly, after the walk, they are too tired to bother each other

I know you have said you will be returning your econd dog... but I still wish you well and hope before he is returned you get to see them get along atleast once !

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Hi. How many walks do they get together? Walking as a pack definitely helps create a bond.

My last rescue took about 4 months to settle in. The two boys used to properly fight. I'm assuming your dogs did not puncture each other?

All interactions need to be positive. Separating them for long periods is not great as they need to be together as much as possible. Although negative time is also not good.

Eventually I had to muzzle my guys and leave them on their own. I wad finding that it was human presence that set them off.

If one of the dogs is acting like a bully then you should do your best to work with the insecure dog.

I am so glad I made it work. My pack are now the best of friends! X

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We have 4 dogs here- until last week it was 5. Whenever a new foster comes we get fights and its our JRT that usually starts it. The tension can last for a few weeks.
I agree with Goodvic , lots of walks together help as its neutral for them both.
I'd have no dogs left at all if I sent one away after every fight!! Good luck

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thanks for the replys .
im going to ring the dogs home at 9 and see what time i can go down.

regarding the walking , that is a problem in its self. when we first got them we took them on a walk and they were fine but we had to take ben back to the dogs home the day after we got him as he saw sneezing.coughing. they told us this might happen so to bring him back for antibiics etc..

well he cant go out of the garden now because hes being treated for kennel cough and also hasnt had his second lot of injections yet. this means that it will be 2/3 weeks before we can take them out together. this is why we have to introduce them in the garden everytime.

we have made sure we fed them separate and removed toys etc.. but the scraps were still happening like i said up till the point as soon as they saw each other

my OH is not coming with me to take him back as he is too upset(and would have to nip out of work) but knows its for the best for both ben and max.

i am glad we tried to find a friend for max so in a few years we dont wonder what it would have been like with 2 dogs etc... at least we know now that we an only dog household.


im glad all of you seemed to introduce your dogs together well, but im not a strong enough person (emotionallly) to just let them get on with it fight wise. we have to a degree but you all know what i mean.

im going to send his bone chew toy with him and hopefully he can have it when he goes to a new home

If mine were fighting all the time I would be looking into an alternative for Shannow, but as it is there's only been a couple of squabbles.

Bizkit is two and I don't think he'd welcome another adult male dog into the house unless he already knew him quite well. Have you considered getting Max a girl friend instead of another male?

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Sorry to hear it hasn't worked out

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Mia - Border Collie
Woody - St Bernard
Duke - Cat

took ben back today , i broke down crying there i know its for they best but i still feel horrible , told them all about him so they know more about him (he was a stray )

Max seems soooo much better already.

We originally were after a bitch but found ben .... were not going to try again its just not worth the heartache .....

thanks for all the comments

Sorry to hear it hasn't worked out.

I don't think anybody just let's their dogs get on with it. I know for me, I just wouldn't give up on them.

Everyone is different. But it's certainly not a case of just letting them fight!

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Do you own a DINOS (dogs in need of space). To find out more and to find a walking buddy follow the link!


www.dogsinneedofspace.co.uk