Do Poodles Get Along With Other Dogs? What You Should Know

If you’re considering adopting another dog while already having a Poodle as a pet, you should first get to know whether they will get along with each other. This is, of course, a very important matter since you do not want them to fight and mess up the harmony in your house.

Do Poodles Get Along With Other Dogs?

Poodles, in general, are very social and friendly dogs. Therefore, they are not usually aggressive with other dogs. However, each Poodle is unique so make sure that yours does not have a mean streak before bringing another dog home.

Large or Small Dogs? What Works Best With Poodles?

Poodles are generally friendly with small dogs and other dogs of similar size. Dogs like this include other Poodles, Pugs, Bichons Frises, Yorkshire Terrier, Maltese, Boston Terrier, etc.

Larger dogs like Golden Retrievers, Great Danes, and Labrador Retrievers are less likely to be accepted by Poodles. That’s because the larger size of the dog is a potential threat to them, and it could appear as if they are being dominated by them.

However, if you’re sure your Poodle is not too bossy and would accept a bigger dog then these can make good companions. Keep in mind that the relationship will be slow in developing. The big dog has to earn the Poodle’s trust and respect before your Poodle accepts him.

How To Get Things To Work Out Between Your Poodle And Other Dogs

1. Obedience Training

Poodles are very intelligent dogs but that doesn’t mean that they will automatically get along with other dogs.

Obedience training is an absolute must if you want your Poodle to get along with other dogs. If a Poodle is well-trained and knows how to behave, he will be more likely to accept another dog into the family.

Start obedience training early so that your Poodle will become used to following commands from you. Use positive reinforcement techniques during training so that your Poodle will want to please you.

2. Socialization Training

Socialization means that your Poodle learns how to behave when he is around other dogs. A well-socialized Poodle is less likely to be aggressive with other dogs. With early socialization, your Poodle will grow into a dog that can get along well with other dogs.

To achieve this, you should introduce him to different types of people as well as other dogs when he’s young. This will create the right conditions for your Poodle to be comfortable and can get along with other dogs.

3. Training Your New Dog

At times Poodle may not be the reason the new relationship doesn’t work out. Therefore, you should consider training your new dog too so that he will be more likely to get along with your Poodle.

Some dogs can be a handful and may require professional training to learn good manners around other dogs. A well-trained dog is less likely to challenge the Poodle for dominance or accidentally hurt him during playtime.

4. Managing Interactions Between The Two Dogs

When you’re introducing two dogs at home, try to keep all interactions between them positive. This can be challenging if your new dog has a strong personality but it is certainly doable with proper training and socialization.

Supervised playdates and training sessions will give you the opportunity to watch how your dogs react to each other. This will help you better manage their interactions and work towards having a harmonious household.

Positive Introduction Process

When you’re introducing dogs, the process is much easier when carried out in a positive manner. The following guidelines show you how to do it:

1. Take your time

As soon as your new dog arrives, make sure to take her for a walk before letting her meet your Poodle. Introducing them right away will not give your Poodle and the new dog enough time to adjust.

2. Have Both Dogs On Leash

In the first few interactions, keep your dogs leashed so that you’ll have better control over them. It’s important not to let either of them run free until they’re able to get along with each other.

3. Bring Them Close

Introduce your dogs in an area that is not likely to trigger their instincts. You could use the living room or a place where they can see one another but are still far enough so that they cannot reach each other.   Let them walk around and sniff a bit before letting them meet.

4. Have A Training Treat

Have a special training treat ready just for these meetings so you can reward your dogs when they behave properly. Keep the interactions short at first and end them on a positive note to let your dogs know that the meeting was successful.

5. Take Them Out For A Walk Together

When you have successfully introduced both dogs, you can take them out for a walk together. Start by taking your Poodle and the new dog only for short walks to see if they will get along with each other.

The Dos

• You need to have strict rules about loose leash walking: Never let your dogs run free together as this could turn into a very dangerous situation.
• Always supervise their interactions: Be there to intervene and stop any unwanted behavior.
• Watch for signals of stress or anxiety: If you notice that one of them is getting stressed or fearful, separate them right away and give each dog some space.
• Use rewards to train your dogs: With treats, praise, and some light training you can teach your dogs positive ways to interact.

The Don’ts

• Don’t force the process: If your Poodle and the new dog are not showing any interest in interacting at first, that’s okay. Go back to supervised playdates and continue with positive interactions when they seem more comfortable around each other.
• Don’t use treats as bribes: Try to avoid making things complicated by bribing your dogs with treats when they are interacting. This will only confuse them and you won’t be able to teach them anything about good manners.
• Don’t feed the new dog in front of your Poodle: In order for your Poodle to accept the new dog as part of his pack, he needs to understand that she is still King. So when you feed your new dog, don’t let him watch.
• Don’t rush it: Whether you have a rescue dog or a puppy that was purchased from a breeder, give them enough time to adjust and bond with your Poodle before introducing the two of them.

The introduction process may take days or weeks, but it’s well worth it. In the end, you’ll be rewarded with a wonderful addition to your family and a healthy relationship between all of your dogs!

Final Verdict:

In a nutshell, Poodles can get along with other dogs if you introduce them properly. Take your time, use positive techniques to train them, and give them the space they need. When you have all that in place, you should see that having multiple dogs can be a rewarding experience for everyone in the family!