Keeping the Peace in a Multi-Dog Household: Lava, Hela & Lajka Make It Work
Hi, I’m Dr. Maja! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my two crossbreed dogs, Lava and Hela.
When I was a kid, we always had one dog. During my teenage years, we slowly progressed to having two dogs, and that always seemed like a good number. They would play together and keep each other company. And now, for the first time in my life, I have three dogs. It wasn’t something I planned; it kind of just happened and I couldn’t turn a blind eye. And after one month of having the third four-legged girl join our family, I have no regrets. She has turned out to be just what my pack needed.
New Friendships
When getting a new dog, there is always that potential concern of how well they will adapt to the existing household and get along with other pets. This is particularly challenging when it comes to rescue dogs with unknown histories and often a lack of socialisation, such as in the case of Lajka. Although she has been very affectionate from the beginning and showed a friendly attitude towards my other two dogs, there was still a little degree of transient uncertainty.
She was great outside with them and full of confidence, following them around without any indication of fear or aggression. But inside, when she was in her crate, there were a few instances of growling. This was mainly directed towards Hela, who only showed a playful intention, so it seemed like Lajka had developed a dislike of her for whatever reason. However, after a few days, Lajka realised that Hela only wanted to play and embraced her very quickly from that moment on. The two of them are now always playing both inside and out and seemed to have clicked. With Lava, it’s a little bit different.
