I've read a lot on here about separating dogs that live in the same house to avoid fighting.

Is it generally a good idea to keep dogs separate even if there have not been problems? I have kept mine separate 90% of the time, just letting them walk together and have minimal interaction outside. This is mostly because I want the pup to pay attention to me and not my other dog. In the future, it would be nice for them to be able to hang out with the family watching T.V. at the same time instead of the rotation. Is this a reasonable expectation assuming they continue to get along and Bru's ob becomes more reliable with training?

 Quote: Janet Dudley

I've read a lot on here about separating dogs that live in the same house to avoid fighting.

Is it generally a good idea to keep dogs separate even if there have not been problems? I have kept mine separate 90% of the time, just letting them walk together and have minimal interaction outside. This is mostly because I want the pup to pay attention to me and not my other dog. In the future, it would be nice for them to be able to hang out with the family watching T.V. at the same time instead of the rotation. Is this a reasonable expectation assuming they continue to get along and Bru's ob becomes more reliable with training?

I think it's a reasonable expectation.

Thanks for responding, Connie.

I guess it sounded like a silly question. There's a lot of posts about what to do if you have dogs that have to be separated, and I know not to have toys out ect. I just didn't know what was reasonable to expect long term with dogs that get along.

(Hope that makes sense.)

Thanks again.

actully i dont think its a silly question at all. all my dogs get along but there are times i will keep them seperate as well esp when i see signs of stress and little tiffs nothing big i will also call on into a room to lay down by me to keep them from getting to excited when they get playing too rough

Ashley

Also see this post:
http://leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Board=134&Number=337459&Searchpage=1&Main=30292&Words=+CJ++Barrett&topic=0&Search=true#Post337459

You will need to set boundries in the house as far as manners are conderned to keep peace & order.

I have no toys, bones, etc in the house & no playing in the house. Playing inside will lead to ruffhousing & then that can exculate. I have dogs that used to NOT get along. Took alot of work to get them to be out together...they will still mix it up if they start to play around in the house. The house is quiet time. They can walk around, sleep on beds, look out the windows etc. Outside they each have a ball & there is no fighting about it or the balls get put away for a few days. Believe me when it has happened they figured it out. Only took a couple of times. They DO NOT fight over balls. They do not have any other toys or bones etc. outside. I they get a bone they are seperated one in the kennel one loose in the fenced yard. Meals they are seperated, also.

Although I do work them in obedience & toss balls for them together. I just don't tollerate any nonsence.

You can do it with the right dogs but you have to be vigilent & 'read' your dogs to stay one step ahead of them. You also need to have good obedience on them each.

I think it’s a great question too.

Personally… I don’t think dogs getting along naturally happens as much by chance as some people like to believe/hope it does. Sure “luck” may play a part in it… for a while. And this is why we hear, all the time… but they used to get along so well or there were never any problems before.

Setting a good foundation and constant supervision, however vigilant or lax that may need to be at any given moment, goes a long way in cohesive leadership of a pack.

 Quote: Anne Jones

You will need to set boundries in the house as far as manners are conderned to keep peace & order.

I have no toys, bones, etc in the house & no playing in the house. Playing inside will lead to ruffhousing & then that can exculate. I have dogs that used to NOT get along. Took alot of work to get them to be out together...they will still mix it up if they start to play around in the house. The house is quiet time. They can walk around, sleep on beds, look out the windows etc. Outside they each have a ball & there is no fighting about it or the balls get put away for a few days. Believe me when it has happened they figured it out. Only took a couple of times. They DO NOT fight over balls. They do not have any other toys or bones etc. outside. I they get a bone they are seperated one in the kennel one loose in the fenced yard. Meals they are seperated, also.

Although I do work them in obedience & toss balls for them together. I just don't tollerate any nonsence.

You can do it with the right dogs but you have to be vigilent & 'read' your dogs to stay one step ahead of them. You also need to have good obedience on them each.

This is why I'm trying to do it slowly. I have good verbal control over Ollie and he doesn't get all wiggly about other dogs. But Bru is just 20 weeks old and while he is very smart, he's not going to listen under distraction like playing with another dog yet.

Thanks for all the input. This makes me feel better about what I'm working towards with them.

I would not ALLOW a puppy to pester an older dog. This will give the older dog to feel the need to correct that pup. That is my job as the pack leader to correct, not another dog in the packs job.

Young dogs can really be a PITA to an older (especially an aged) dog. It can also be the startings for a fight. Don't give you dogs the opportunities to do that.

Older dogs should not be allowed to bully younger ones either.

If need be put a line on the pup so you can better control him until better obedience is on board or crate him.

My pup is a week shy of 7 months old, and I just recently (like in the past month) have started allowing my 2 dogs to hang out loose in the house together. I still always crate the pup if I'm not supervising though.

As you said in your first post, it's nice to just have them hang out quietly together while watching TV or whatever.

I also use my older guy for practicing obedience, since his is rock-solid. I think it helps my pup understand the concept of stays when she has the older guy to set a good example.

And since I love showing off my pup, here's some pics of them doing a sit stay and a down stay together. (I still muzzle my old guy because he has a history of dog aggression. He hasn't tried anything with her, but I'd rather be safe than sorry).

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd349/tabatha500/DSC_8733.jpg

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd349/tabatha500/DSC_8735.jpg