Can Two Male Dogs Ever Get Along Without Fighting?

For those of us who choose to share our lives with more than one dog, the question of whether two male dogs can get along is a common concern. 

The short answer is yes—they absolutely can.

Domestic Dog Social Structures

While some may argue that male-male aggression is inevitable in canine social structures, there are numerous examples of peaceful coexistence between male dogs. 

But how can this be? 

Aren’t males more “dominant” and likely to fight for resources and social status? 

In fact, dogs’ social structures are generally fluid and adaptable. 

While dominance can exist (regardless of gender), it is more about determining who has priority access to valuable resources, like food and preferred resting spots. 

In other words, while a dog may compete for control in some situations, he will be quite happy to defer to another dog in other contexts. 

It depends on the individual, the situation, and what’s at stake.

This allows dogs to navigate different situations without resorting to aggression.

If you think about it logically, it makes a lot of sense.

Dog fights can be dangerous and carry a real possibility of injury or even worse.

Why take the risk?

Aggression Between Male Dogs vs. Female Dogs

It’s generally thought that male and female dogs tend to get along better.

But many households have same-sex dogs getting along perfectly well without any issues, including mine. 

“Male dogs can absolutely live happily together in the same household, but having said that, it is critically important for pet parents to be educated in dog body language and in each individual’s signs of stress,” says certified dog training and behavior professional Angelica Steinker of Courteous Canine in Tampa, Florida.

“Also, a detailed understanding of each dog’s issues is key.”

In fact, somewhat contrary to popular belief, aggression between male dogs is not as common as we might think. 

Statistically, female dogs are more likely to display aggression toward other dogs in their household. 

A study of 38 pairs of dogs being aggressive toward other dogs in the same home found that:

• Most cases (79%) involved same-sex pairs.
• Female dogs were more frequently involved in fights (68%) compared to males.
• The primary instigator of aggression was often the most recently introduced or new dog toward the current dog (70%).
• Younger dogs initiated fights in 74% of cases.

So there is no guarantee that male dogs will be more aggressive toward each other or that female dogs will always get along better. 

Each dog and situation is unique, with many factors involved. 

Triggers For Dog-Dog Aggression

To reduce dog-dog aggression, it’s crucial to find out why it’s happening. 

For example, aggression may occur around resources like food, toys, or access to people or spaces. 

It may be set off by arousal, like visitors at the door or seeing another dog on a walk. 

Or it could be fear-based if one dog is uncomfortable with certain handling or interactions.

Research tells us that common triggers for dog-dog aggression include:

• Attention from the owner (occurred in 46% of the dog pairs in the 38-dog study).
• Conflicts over food (also 46%). 
• Excitement (31%).
• Found items or toys (26%).

Other, lesser triggers included:

• Changes in the home environment.
• One dog becoming weaker or injured.
• Loud or sudden noises.
• Passing through doorways or sharing walkways.
• Access to dog beds, furniture, or crates.
• Confinement in tight spaces.
• Presence of crowds or visitors. 

Once you know what triggers your dogs’ aggressive behavior, you can take steps to manage and desensitize them around those triggers to prevent conflicts in those specific situations. 

You can do this through positive reinforcement training, structured interaction, and environmental management. 

The goal is to change the dogs’ emotional responses and teach alternate desired behaviors whenever those situations arise. 

Note, too, that the triggers may be different for each dog.

Aggression In Free-Ranging Dogs

Research into free-ranging dogs (i.e., those who live in groups with no human interference) shows that they prefer to avoid engaging in conflicts.

Instead, they use subtle cues such as body language and vocalizations to appease or defer to their peers. 

By doing this, they avoid taking unnecessary risks and choose peaceful resolutions to conflicts instead.

“We need to remember that free-ranging dogs have a lot of freedom that dogs living as companions, say pets, do not necessarily have,” explains canine behavior researcher Marco Adda. 

“Free-ranging dogs have the privilege of deciding their daily actions and habits and displaying behaviors according to their personalities. 

“Their sociality, and in some cases, sexual conduct, are not, or are just minimally, conditioned by humans.”

In other words, free-ranging dogs can naturally exhibit their full range of behaviors, ensuring effective communication among them. 

This is something that pet companion dogs might miss out on due to their more confined lifestyle, which comes with its own set of stressors.

Factors Influencing Male-Male Dog Relationships

While it’s important to be aware of the potential for competition and conflict between male dogs, it’s not an inevitable outcome. 

With proper socialization, training, and management, two male dogs can coexist perfectly peacefully in the same household.

Neutering Status

The link between neutering and aggression in male dogs is more nuanced than is often assumed. 

It’s commonly thought that intact male dogs may be more prone to aggressive behaviors due to hormones and the drive to reproduce.

A study involving 386 dogs found that neutering did reduce the likelihood of male dogs being aggressive towards each other, with aggressive incidents dropping from 20.98% to 13.99%. 

But neutering should not be seen as a universal remedy. 

Another study found that neutering puppies at a young age reduces the production of reproductive hormones, which might lead to an increase in aggressive behavior. 

This is thought to be because early neutering could contribute to heightened anxiety, including an increased fear of strangers, other dogs, and sensitivity to noises. 

Given that fear is a well-known catalyst for aggression in dogs, the decision to neuter, especially at a young age or before they reach sexual maturity, should be carefully weighed and discussed with a veterinarian.

Age 

A dog’s age can greatly influence the dynamics and outcome of their relationship. 

An older dog who wants to rest in peace and quiet may find a bouncy puppy overwhelming and irritating, and respond aggressively if the puppy bothers him. 

Dogs of similar age can make good playmates because they are likely to have similar energy levels, but there may also a competitive element to their relationship.

A much younger dog may display more energy and assertiveness, which can lead to conflicts with other male dogs if not properly managed.

Social Maturity

A dog’s level of social maturity can impact how he interacts with other males.

As puppies mature, hormonal shifts can lead to increased assertiveness and boundary-testing, potentially causing conflicts with other male dogs. 

Socially mature dogs may handle encounters with less conflict and more understanding of social cues.

The behavior of adolescent dogs can be compared to that of a human teenager, pushing the limits as they learn to navigate their social environment. 

Socialization And Past Experiences

Dogs that are well-socialized from a young age tend to be more comfortable around other dogs.

Early, positive experiences with other dogs teach appropriate social behaviors and how to communicate effectively with canine peers. 

As a result, they are usually more relaxed and confident around other dogs, reducing the likelihood of aggressive responses that often stem from fear or uncertainty. 

Resources

Competition over resources such as food, toys, or attention from owners can lead to conflict.

While resource guarding is a common – and completely normal – dog behavior, it can become problematic if it escalates to aggression towards another dog.

Size 

In some cases, dogs who are close in size may be better suited as housemates, simply because their similar size can lower the risk of accidental injuries during roughhousing. 

However, it’s not uncommon for larger dogs to instinctively “self-handicap” during play.

This way, they moderate their physical advantage to create an even playing field, thus allowing smaller dogs to participate safely and confidently in the game.

Personality

A lot of the time, how dogs relate to one another comes down to individual personalities.

Some dogs are socially confident and get along with others easily, while less experienced dogs, or those of a more nervous disposition, may try to assert themselves, leading to tension.

Temperament

A dog’s innate temperament, including his threshold for stimulation and his typical response to stress or threats, can greatly influence his interactions with other dogs. 

A dog with a calm temperament may be less likely to engage in confrontations than one with a more reactive or sensitive temperament.

Health And Wellness

A dog in pain or discomfort may be more irritable and prone to aggression, affecting his relationships with other dogs in the home.

He may become more defensive and less tolerant of interactions with other dogs because his primary focus will be to protect himself and avoid further pain. 

This is not necessarily a sign of hostility but a clear message to the other dog to maintain distance.

Owner Behavior

The way an owner manages and reacts to their dog’s behavior can either exacerbate or mitigate aggressive tendencies.

For example, if one dog is lying on the sofa and growls at the other dog as he walks past, the outcomes can be very different depending on how the owner responds:

Scenario 1: If the owner reprimands the dog for growling, the dog learns that expressing discomfort or giving a warning signal will be punished, potentially leading to more aggressive behavior in the future.

Scenario 2: If the owner calmly distracts the growling dog by acknowledging his discomfort and reassuring him there is no need to worry, the outcome will be far more positive for both dogs without feeling the need to resort to aggression.

Managing Male-Male Dog Relationships

Creating a space where your male dogs can thrive together should be possible with proper management and understanding of their individual temperaments and behaviors. 

Keeping an eye out for any signs of discomfort or tension between the dogs can also help prevent potential conflicts.

Recognize Signs Of Conflict And Stress

Dogs communicate much about their emotional state through body language, and identifying signs of stress or impending conflict is crucial for preventing negative encounters. 

Some key stress signals to watch for include lip licking or tongue flicking, yawning when not tired, and panting when not hot. 

You may also see avoidance behaviors where one dog actively tries to increase distance from the other, such as turning his head away, leaving the situation altogether, or hiding. 

Physical tension in the body, such as a stiff posture, raised hackles, flattened ears, or a tucked tail, can also signal anxiety or readiness to react defensively. 

By observing these subtle cues, you can intervene early to diffuse tension and prevent a negative situation from escalating. 

For example, you can calmly remove one of the dogs from the stressful environment or introduce a distraction, like taking them out into the yard for a fun game.

This not only breaks the tension but also makes sure you have a positive outcome. 

This helps elevate the dogs’ overall mood states, build up positive associations with each other, and make sure the situation ends on a high note rather than disaster. 

“It’s always best to start working on changing the dogs’ behavior immediately whenever tension, stress, or conflict is observed,” says Steinker.

“Behavior change means not attempting to suppress the dogs’ communication signals, but thanking them for growling or displaying stress because now you know how they are feeling and can start working proactively to avoid their triggers.”

Structured Play

Encouraging structured play is a powerful way to build positive associations between dogs. 

This type of play is organized and often involves frequent interruptions so the dogs can reset.

It helps to prevent overexcitement and rough play that can lead to conflict. 

By engaging in activities that are both mentally stimulating and physically engaging, dogs can learn to play cooperatively under supervision, reinforcing good behaviors and social cues. 

Structured play can include games like fetch, manners-based tasks that require taking turns, agility exercises that focus on teamwork and communication, or sniffing games that require dogs to use their brains to find something.

Sniffing also lowers a dog’s pulse rate and blood pressure so is an easy way to help them relax. 

Think of playtime as a stress reliever, a way for them to let off steam while building their bond. 

Sharing Games

According to Steinker, one way to successfully help dogs coexist is to play sharing games.

“There are four types of sharing: verbal interactions, physical touch, a toy, and food. All four categories need to be addressed,” she explains.

Sharing games work by you, the owner (and a helper if needed), toggling the desired interaction (verbal, physical touch, toy, or food) back and forth between the two dogs.

“I recommend starting the sharing game with the dog that is more ‘jealous’ or prone to resource guarding,” says Steinker. “Then give the second dog the next turn, then toggle back to the first dog. This way, interaction with the second dog predicts something good for the first dog.

“The length of time each dog has the resource and the distance between them depends completely on the dogs and how they respond.

“It’s best to start with short intervals, then build them gradually up to be longer. It really depends on what you need to do to keep both dogs under threshold.

“I highly recommend a very high rate of reinforcement at the beginning, so the dogs start to learn that calm behavior will be rewarded. We know that behaviors that get rewarded are more likely to be repeated.

“When sharing games are done with both dogs staying under threshold*, they are an ideal way to build a friendship between them. If the dogs cannot manage to stay under threshold, then the distance between them needs to be increased. If necessary, baby gates or leashes can be used to begin with.”

*Under threshold = there is no stress or tension, and both dogs are happy and/or relaxed.

Manage The Environment

Providing separate areas for each dog can be a helpful strategy for preventing tension, especially in multi-dog households. 

These areas serve as safe havens where each dog can relax without feeling the need to guard resources or space. 

Crates, beds, separate rooms, or designated spaces in the home can all serve as personal spaces for dogs. 

Dog gates, baby gates, or even a large indoor dog pen or X-pen can all be effective ways to do this. 

Giving each dog his own area helps to minimize competition and can greatly reduce stress, as they both know they have a secure place to retreat to when needed.

It’s a simple but effective way to let them de-stress on their terms. 

Seek Professional Help

If you’re really struggling with aggression between your male dogs, it may be time to seek professional help. 

A professional dog training and behavior consultant will be able to assess the situation, identify the underlying causes of the aggression, and create a tailored behavior modification plan. 

They can also provide you with strategies and training techniques to manage and reduce aggressive incidents effectively. 

Addressing aggression early with professional guidance can prevent the behavior from becoming more entrenched, helping to ensure the safety and well-being of all your pets.
Studies indicate that behavioral interventions from a professional are highly effective in reducing conflicts among dogs:

• In cases involving male dog pairs, a notable 72% see improvements. 
• The success rate climbs slightly higher to 75% when addressing male-female pairs. 
• Female-female pairs experience a lower rate of improvement at 57%, suggesting that these cases may present more of a challenge. 

Overall, these statistics reinforce the potential for positive change for your male dogs with proper behavioral treatment.

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Resources

• A Better Dog-Human Understanding – Susan Nilson (with Marco Adda)
• Behavioural risks in male dogs with minimal lifetime exposure to gonadal hormones may complicate population-control benefits of desexing – P.D. McGreevy, B. Wilson, M.J. Starling, & J.A. Serpell  
• Companion and free-ranging Bali dogs: Environmental links with personality traits in an endemic dog population of South East Asia – L. Corrieri, M. Adda, Á. Miklósi, & E. Kubinyi
• Interdog household aggression: 38 cases (2006–2007) – Kathryn M. Wrubel, Alice A. Moon-Fanelli, Louise S. Maranda, & Nicholas H. Dodman
• Reasons for and Behavioral Consequences of Male Dog Castration—A Questionnaire Study in Poland – Marcelina Kriese, Ewelina Kuźniewska, Andrzej Gugołek, & Janusz Strychalski

NEED A DOG TRAINER OR BEHAVIOR EXPERT?

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GOOD PLACES TO START ARE:
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- Pet Dog Trainers of Europe
- International Companion Animal Network
- Institute of Modern Dog Trainers
- Pet Professional Guild 

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