Adopting a new pup is not all sunshine and rainbows. Your current four-legged friends might not welcome the new member right away. If you don’t know how to introduce dogs to each other properly, you could put them under a lot of pressure, potentially leading to other problems. With years of experience, we’ve crafted a detailed guide to help your new pup feel right at home!
In This Article:
Preparation Before Introducing A New Dog To A Jealous Dog
Scent Swapping
Canines are gifted with a keen sense of smell, enabling them to detect any unfamiliar presence early. So, your current dog will likely raise its guard when seeing a new pup in the house. On the bright side, you can take advantage of this heightened sense to introduce a new pooch with its distinct scent in advance.
We’ve tested two ways, and both work like a charm:
- Option 1: You can take a toy, a blanket, or any belongings of the new dog and give it to your current pup. Do the same with the new puppy, allowing them to get familiar with each other’s scent.
- Option 2: This is our go-to method with clients’ dogs. We have a staff member take the current pups out for a walk while the new pooch explores the house, embarking its scent in every nook and cranny. When the current dogs return, they can sniff around and get used to the new scent without the pup being present. Even out of sight, they can still “greet” each other in their way.
Check Vaccinations
Whether you adopt a puppy from an animal shelter/rescue or get it from a breeder, it’s essential to check if it’s properly vaccinated. Dogs without up-to-date vaccinations can easily spread infection to other pets. If unsure, take the pup to a reliable vet for a check-up.
Setting Up
Before letting the new member meet your current furry friends, here are a few things to prepare:
- Set up separate spaces for each dog. Keep your resident pup’s beds, food bowls, toys, and bones away from the new pooch to avoid fights over food or toys. Even though the breed is typically hospitable and friendly, they can tense up once their territory and belongings are threatened. Use a baby gate to separate them, if needed.
- Ensure each dog has ample room for their daily routine. A cramped area might trigger their territorial behavior.
5 Steps To Introduce New Dogs To Your Family
Find A Spot For The First Meeting
The first step is to find a neutral spot as a meeting place. By neutral, we mean your dogs haven’t claimed that area as their territory through frequent walks or visits. The spot should be spacious and quiet, such as a deserted park during off-peak hours or a backyard of your relatives or friends without any pets.
If an outdoor place is unavailable, consider using a basement or garage, which should be large enough for your pups to roam around on a leash. When dogs meet other dogs for the first time, they should be on leashes to prevent conflict or fights. Have a family member or a friend help you escort the other pup.
Here’s a tip: We usually let our dogs exercise before introducing them. Some mild workouts can release their pent-up energy and ease tension, keeping them happy and calm during the meeting.
Take Them Out For A Walk
Head to the chosen meeting spot, each dog escorted by a human. Start walking parallel to each other, keeping a safe distance between the pups. The distance should be close enough that they notice each other but far enough not to fight. Offer them treats if they stay calm or make eye contact without being aggressive. Hold the leash loosely; you don’t want your dogs to feel restricted.
After strolling around the meeting area, turn back but switch places so each pup can familiarize themselves with the scent the other dog leaves along the path. If possible, let them explore each other’s potty spots, as dogs quickly gather information through urine.
Gradually shorten the distance between them from 3 to 5 feet, and let them walk side by side. Again, generously reward your furry friends whenever they behave well.
Note: Don’t let the two pups meet face-to-face initially, as head-on interactions can be unnatural and stressful. We’ve learned this the hard way!
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Supervise Their Body Language During Interaction
During the outdoor walks, NEVER take your eyes off your pups! Pay attention to their body language to gauge their emotions. For example, a wagging tail, soft eyes, sniffing, a relaxed body, or other friendly behavior means that your little furball is content with their new friend.
Don’t forget to reward them with a high-value treat. You can let them interact at a closer distance or without leashes.
However, if they exhibit a tense posture, a hostile stare, or a tucked tail, freeze in place, or run towards you, these can be red flags. Your pups might be on high alert or shy away from the new dog.
Don’t push them to turn back and interact with each other. Doing so can backfire, triggering their defense mechanisms or causing them stress. In this case, allow both pooches to take a break and try again when they’ve calmed down.
Interact Without Leashes
Once your dogs show positive body language during their interaction, you can increase their comfort level by removing their leashes. Return to the starting point, take off the leashes, and let them interact. They can sniff each other or even start playing together.
Supervise them closely to see whether they get along well or exhibit any stressful or aggressive behavior. Praise and treat them if they remain friendly and calm. Once you see any signs of discomfort, separate them immediately.
Mind Their Daily Routine After Introducing
The first meeting is the cornerstone of a lifelong friendship between your current and new dogs, but that’s not the end of the story. You need to monitor their behavior and daily routine for at least several weeks to ensure they’re comfortable around each other. Here is what to keep in mind:
- Mealtimes: For the first few weeks, place their food bowls in separate areas (preferably different rooms). If a pup finishes eating first, don’t let them approach the other’s bowls.
- Playtime: Remember the toys and bones you tucked away before the first meeting? Gradually introduce them back to the house instead of bringing them out all at once. Watch for possessive behavior and separate your pups immediately once they start fighting. Give them breaks during playtime, as nonstop playing can make them overwhelmed and overtired. They need some me-time to relax before regrouping.
- Bedtime: Provide each dog with their own bed and look for unusual behavior around the other’s sleeping area.
What To Do If The Dogs Get Mad?
If either dog displays signs of unease, such as avoiding eye contact, turning away, or exhibiting excessive licking, it’s time to create some space between them.
Gently coax one dog away from the other, either by calling them to you or guiding them to their designated areas. This brief separation allows both dogs to de-stress and regain their composure before attempting another introduction.
Should one dog exhibit more pronounced signs of discomfort, including barking, lunging, or snapping, it’s essential to separate them immediately. If injuries occur, veterinary attention is crucial.
Following a tense encounter, both dogs need ample time apart to calm down. This cooling-off period can vary from a few hours to several days, depending on the severity of the situation and the dogs’ personalities. Once the initial tension has subsided, engaging each dog in stimulating solo activities can help them relax and rebuild their confidence.
4 Tips For A Smooth Introduction
Let The Dogs Lead The Flow
At the end of the day, the decision to befriend someone should come from your heart. So, it’s crucial to respect your dog and give them plenty of time to adjust to the presence of a new member. Don’t force your pups to greet and interact.
Instead, hold the leash loosely and let them go with the flow, even when it takes a longer time. Only intervene when they exhibit aggressive behavior.
Don’t Take Your Eyes Off Them
We can’t stress enough the importance of supervision when introducing two dogs. Even minor signs, such as a stiffened body or a piercing stare, can blow up into an intense fight. Constant monitoring allows you to detect signs of discomfort and reward their well-behaved interactions promptly.
Separate Them When You’re Away For The First Few Weeks
Over the first few weeks, separate your dogs whenever there’s no one around to supervise them. They need 100% supervision during this sensitive time to build their bond. So, when you take a shower or go out, ask other household members to watch them.
Watch For Signs Of Distress
Pay attention to signs of stress, such as excessive panting, pacing, hiding, loss of appetite, etc. Since canines are creatures of habit, encountering something new can be extremely stressful for them. Therefore, you should limit their exposure to new visitors or strangers. Bring them to a qualified vet whenever you suspect your pup is suffering.
Conclusion
The best way to introduce your dogs is to choose a suitable outdoor space for their first meeting. It’s important to allow them to interact slowly and naturally. Keep a close eye on them to address any rising issues promptly. This adjustment period might take 2 to 3 weeks or even longer, so be patient!