Are you a proud pooch parent? Then, you’re definitely not alone. The most commonly owned pet in the United States is a dog. Statista reveals that nearly half of the respondents in a recent survey said they owned a canine.
They do so primarily for stress relief, companionship, emotional support, and increased physical activity through walks and playtime. Out of the 59.8 million American households owning dogs, many own multiple.
This has to do with the fact that dogs are social beings, and they enjoy the company of other dogs. However, is it that easy to run a multi-dog household? Challenges certainly abound, but none are insurmountable. In this article, we will discuss four practical tips to run a home peacefully despite owning multiple canines.
Be Efficient in Resource Management
Pet parents with multiple dogs know the struggles of having two or more canines around. It’s not unnatural for pooches to compete with each other for attention, toys, resting spots, and food.
If you’re inefficient in managing resources, it may lead to aggressive conflicts and fights due to jealousy. This manifests itself in the form of growling and barking around prized possessions or food.
These are warning signs that your canine companions are feeling insecure about their resources. Multi-dog pet parents need to even the playing field with efficient resource management. This would include –
- Designating separate feeding spots for each dog in a different corner or room so that each pooch can eat peacefully without feeling threatened
- Providing each four-legged friend with a distinct set of toys and rotating them in regular intervals. This will prevent the toys from becoming a source of conflict
- Assigning separate resting areas for the dogs to relax. You can also rotate the spots periodically to avoid any sense of ownership
Pay Extra Attention to Cleanliness
Maintaining a clean home can be challenging when a pet enters the picture. The difficulty level only increases in a household with multiple canine companions.
There are usually a variety of messes to deal with, including dog hair, dirt, spillages or accidents, and pet waste. Firstly, you will require a proper set of cleaning products and a structured cleaning routine.
Without these, it won’t take much time for your home to turn into an unsanitary mess. Vacuum the floors and wipe down surfaces on a set schedule. As for the areas your dog frequents, have specific cleaning hours on a daily basis.
As for managing pet waste, you may need a superior approach. Reach out for professional sanitation and deodorization services for a spotless home. These should be easy to find, especially if you live in a dog-friendly city like Seattle, Washington.
It has been found that this city has more dogs than kids. Moreover, there are no major breed restrictions except for leash laws. A multi-dog household can rely on a reputed dog poop pickup service in Seattle to maintain cleanliness.
According to Scoop Soldiers, the experts will pick the waste up, collect it, and dispose of it safely elsewhere. Your pets can even play in the same area while the experts do their work.
This step is important because pet waste can quickly turn hazardous. As per the Rhode Island Department of Health, pet waste is highly toxic, as it contains bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella.
Among all aspects of cleanliness, it requires immediate attention and complete removal. Professional services will ensure that even minute traces are not left behind.
Maintain a Consistent Training Schedule
Dogs are similar to humans in the sense that they have unique temperaments, needs, and personalities. This can make it challenging to maintain a consistent training schedule.
Dogs living within the same household may display different behavioral issues and respond differently to commands. If their training schedule is inconsistent, this will lead to confusion and even aggressive behaviors. The imbalance in discipline will disrupt your household’s harmony.
So, be consistent with each of your canine friend’s training schedules and designate separate times and places. Give one-on-one attention to each furry friend, so they get ample time for their specific training needs, including specialized tasks, basic obedience, etc. Besides individual training, organize group sessions from time to time.
This will help each canine companion to follow important commands, even in the presence of the others. Group sessions are also useful from the viewpoint of improving your canine companions’ socialization skills and interactions with each other.
Keep the Noise Down
Dogs love to bark, and some breeds love this more than others. Experts say that three of the loudest dog breeds include German Shepherds, Dachshunds, and Beagles. Now, all barking is not the same and should not be seen as a red flag instantly.
Dogs bark for many reasons, such as to communicate, to alert of danger, to seek attention, or to express excitement. The frequency will vary depending on the breed. However, consistent barking, especially in groups, can become a problem for your family and even neighbors.
Sometimes, excessive barking is a sign of underlying issues with your pack. You must regulate the amount of noise your household generates. Train your dogs to respond positively to a ‘quiet’ command. If they start barking, give them the said command and reward them for good behavior.
With continuous practice, your dogs will be able to control their barking. Also, identify the triggers that lead to barking sessions – certain sounds, passersby, strays, etc. After identification, try to calm your canine companions down and desensitize them to the triggers using gradual exposure and reinforcement.
We hope this article has helped you understand how each problem with a multi-dog household has a solution. Applying the strategies we have just discussed allows each dog to thrive. Plus, it will nurture a deep bond between each of them. As a pet parent, you can take the lead to create a harmonious atmosphere where everyone can live happily.