Our dogs don't get along. Is there ANY hope before we send one back to the pound?

[PrincessMarcheline]

We have had our rescue dog for 3 years. She can be a bit aggressive on walks when we meet certain dogs, but is great with kids and a generally nice dog. We are out a lot during the day, so we thought it would be a nice idea to get another dog for company for her. We also wanted to save another one from the pound as there are so many unwanted pets.

So we got our new rescue dog a few weeks ago. She is lovely. Unfortunately they have had a few fights, the last being very bad. They were both covered in bites and there was a lot of blood.

I know she has to go, but she is such a lovely dog who has spent her life in the dog pound. It is going to break our hearts to send her back, but what can we do? I am scared they will kill each other.

If your first dog is dog-aggressive, then it stands to reason she'll be aggressive to a new dog who has come into her home and is competing with her for resources.

Did you tell the shelter that your original dog is aggressive to other dogs when you went for dog 2?

You have to separate them. The more they fight, the more they'll learn to dislike each other. Your first dog needs to see a qualified behaviourist and both dogs need access to their own resources in terms of resting places, humans, food, toys etc so there's no competition for resources.