If you have more than one dog in your household, you know how cute and rewarding it can be to see them play together, cuddle up to each other, and just generally enjoy each other’s company.

But as with any relationship, disagreements can sometimes arise, and dogs are no exception. Jealousy between dogs can become a real issue, causing stress and tension for the dogs involved and their owners alike.

What can you do to manage jealousy between your dogs? Here are 10 tips to help you out:.

1. Understand the triggers for jealousy between dogs

Jealousy between dogs can arise for a variety of reasons. Some dogs may become upset if they feel like they aren’t getting enough attention from their owners, while others may become jealous if they see another dog getting more treats or toys.

Understanding what triggers your dog’s jealousy is the first step in managing the situation.

2. Practice even-handed attention

One way to reduce jealousy between dogs is to be even-handed with your attention. Make sure to spend quality one-on-one time with each dog, and avoid playing favorites.

If one dog is getting more attention than the other, it’s natural for the less-favored dog to become jealous and resentful.

3. Set clear boundaries

Dogs thrive on structure and routine. Establish clear boundaries in your household, and make sure your dogs understand them.

This can help reduce tension between the dogs, as they’ll know what’s expected of them and what behavior is acceptable.

4. Use positive reinforcement

Positive reinforcement is a powerful tool for managing jealousy between dogs. Reward your dogs for good behavior, and make sure they understand what they’re doing right. This can help build confidence and reduce tension.

5. Supervise playtime

While it’s great to see your dogs playing together, it’s important to supervise their playtime. This can help prevent disagreements and fights, which can arise if one dog becomes jealous of the other’s toy or attention.

6. Provide plenty of resources

To minimize competition between your dogs, make sure there are plenty of resources available for them. This might include food and water bowls, toys, and beds. Having enough resources for everyone can reduce jealousy and prevent squabbles.

7. Separate the dogs as needed

If your dogs are having a particularly hard time getting along, or if one dog is feeling particularly jealous, it might be best to separate them for a period of time. This can help diffuse the tension and give each dog some breathing room.

8. Avoid punishing jealousy

Negative reinforcement like punishment is generally not effective for managing jealousy between dogs. Instead, use positive reinforcement to encourage good behavior and reduce jealousy.

9. Seek professional help if needed

If your dogs are consistently fighting or if one dog is showing signs of aggression, it might be time to seek professional help.

A professional dog trainer or behaviorist can help you identify and manage the underlying issues causing jealousy between your dogs.

10. Be patient

Managing jealousy between dogs takes time and patience. Don’t expect overnight results, and be prepared to put in the work to help your dogs get along.

With patience and persistence, you can help your dogs build a loving and harmonious relationship.