Managing a multi-dog home

Pointers on how to manage a multi-dog home:

Dealing with dog-to-dog aggression/dogs needing to be the only dog in the home can be a complex thing to deal with when you want to have more than one dog in a household. Please keep in mind dog aggression (aggression directed by dogs toward other dogs) and human aggression (aggression directed toward humans) are entirely separate behaviors. Please be mindful that it’s very common for dogs to exhibit some degree of intolerance toward other dogs and to show only trust and affection for humans. Second, dogs of any breed can be dog aggressive not just pit bulls or “power breeds”. Since our recue focuses primarily on rescuing dogs that may fall into the category where they may need to be the only dog in the household, we’re here to give you the resources to help with making it possible to have 2 or more dogs live in one household, because after all, it’s possible for a dog who has a history of having dog aggression live with another dog, we know this by experience by practicing patience and consistency!

We at Mahina’s Ohana Rescue can’t tell you how many times we have been approached by off-leash aggressive dogs while responsibly walking our leashed dogs. Finally, dog aggression is not a matter of simply being dog aggressive or not dog aggressive. It’s more accurate to think of dog aggression as a spectrum. Some dogs are completely tolerant of other dogs, others are completely intolerant, but most are somewhere in between. We need to remember to not blame the dogs for a trait bred into them by the evilness of man. Let's understand them instead, so we can provide responsible ownership and give them a chance to show the world why they are so deserving of our love like any other dog!

​With the negative stereotypes that are woven around pit bull type dogs, the matter becomes even more complicated when owning a pit bull type dog. While may be true that fighting was a part of these breeds genetics, it is simply wrong to say that pit bulls are “fighting dogs.” Pit bulls are one of the most popular dogs in the United States, but very few of them are actually bred and trained for fighting. The vast majority of pit bulls are bred for family companionship, looks, or nothing in particular. A relative minority are “game bred.” Even pit bulls that have endured the horrors of neglect and abuse have proven docile toward other dogs and, most importantly, show endless trust and affection for humans.


As responsible pit bulls owners, we must understand and respect our breed’s heritage and genetics. This means understanding that our loving dogs may be intolerant of other dogs. At some point, they may even have to forego all interactions with other dogs. We see too many owners needing to rehome their dogs because they simply don’t understand dog-to-dog aggression issues. For this reason, we cannot underemphasize the consequences of misunderstanding dog aggression. Of course, dogs are individuals, and each situation is different, so our recommendations may not apply in all circumstances. Nevertheless, we encourage pit bull owners to follow the guidelines below.

Know Your Dog(s)

  • Is your dog confident and relaxed around other dogs, or is it insecure and defensive? Is your dog generally tolerant or intolerant toward other dogs? If you have a multi-dog household, are there particular situations that trigger aggression between your dogs (the doorbell, going in and out of the house, toys, food, rawhides, etc.)? Know what triggers aggression and avoid it.


Set Your Dog(s) Up to Succeed

  • Of course, the very best situation is to have a pit bull as your only pet. Pit bulls are people dogs, anyway.Ifthey receive enough attention from their family, they won’t need a canine companion to be happy. However, if you prefer having two dogs (as many people do), the next best situation is to have a compatible neutered male and a spayed female, whose interactions are always supervised. If you have multiple pit bulls, a pit bull in a multi-pet home, or more than one of any type of dog, you might find our Crate and Rotate page helpful.

  • There is a higher incidence of aggressive behavior between dogs of the same sex. Two males or two females will often view each other as rivals, even if they appear to get along most of the time. This is a fact for every breed. Please have your dog(s) spayed or neutered as early as your veterinarian finds it appropriate. This will help with socializing them at a young age.


Always be prepared!

  • Like humans, dogs develop different personalities as they mature (dog-to-dog aggression can evolve anytime between 18-36 months of age). Most puppies are fine with other dogs; however, all dogs can become intolerant of other dogs as they mature, and pit bulls are no exception. This doesn’t mean that certain dogs could “snap” or “turn.” That’s a completely bogus idea perpetuated by the media. Aside from rare cases in which aggression is suddenly triggered by neurological or pathological disorders, there are always warning signs. Again, know your dog, and set it up to succeed! Properly introduced, a neutered male and a spayed female with compatible personalities should be fine. They will, however, require strict supervision all their lives.

Train your dog

  • Using both positive reinforcement and balanced training, work on basic commands like sit, down, heel, stay, place, and loose leash. Getting your dog to direct its attention away from distractions and toward you is a foundation of good training.

  • Take 15-20 minutes every day to work on basic obedience training with your dog. Training will not only help them to become obedient but also you're mentally stimulating their minds which will tire them out!


Never Leave Your Dog Unsupervised With Other Animals

  • We can't emphasize this enough! If your not home or no one is around to keep an eye on them, dogs should be safely crated or in separate rooms, even if they are best friends. Dogs can fight for many reasons— status, food, toys, or bones—and if you’re not there to manage them, things could escalate very quickly. Your dog does not need “company” when home alone, and the routine of going into a crate every time you leave can be quite comforting for your dog. It also provides you with total piece of mind.


Spay and Neuter

  • Have your dog(s) spayed or neutered as early as possible. Beyond the benefit of knowing that you will never contribute to pet overpopulation, intact dogs are more likely to show aggression toward other dogs. Females in their reproductive cycles and males that are triggered by sexual hormones can have the tendency to be far more reactive and aggressive.


Monitor Playtime

  • Pit bulls live to play, and playtime between compatible dogs is a great form of exercise and socialization. But roughhousing can trigger a fight if not kept under control. Pit bulls are scrappy: they like to play rough and can be pretty vocal. Don’t let things go too far. As the leader of your pack, it’s your job to set limits and keep everyone under control.

  • Always Have Your Dog on a Leash When Walking
    Regardless of what breed you own, this should go without saying. It’s a basic rule of dog ownership. If your dog is outside the house and not enclosed within a fenced area, keep him or her on a leash.

  • DO NOT Bring Your Dog to an Off-Leash Dog Park
    And avoid any other area where it may come into contact with other dogs running loose. Dog parks are poor choice for dogs of all breeds. Dog parks are frequently more about human entertainment than the well-being of the dogs. Your dog can get just as much exercise and socialization on a leash along with basic obidence training.

Early Socialization May Help
But it’s no guarantee that your dog might not become dog aggressive at some point. If you already have a dog and you want to bring a pit bull into your home, your best bet is to adopt a mature dog from a rescue or shelter so that they can give you a complete temperament assessment on the dog.


To sum up, dog aggression is a behavior found in every breed, but because of their breed history, pit bulls might be less tolerant of other dogs. As pit bull owners, it is our responsibility to understand our dogs, put them in a position to succeed, and keep them safe.