How to Introduce a New Dog to Other Pets

Bringing home a new dog can be very exciting for your family, especially if it is a young puppy.  Whether you have adopted from a local animal shelter or bought the pet from a dog breeder, you’ll likely have put a great deal of time and effort into your decision.  However, if you already have pets, introducing the new dog can be a stressful experience for them.  Dogs, like cats, are very territorial, and might not welcome the new arrival into their home with “open paws.” 

 

Here are some tips to make the transition easier.

 

Introduce Them on Neutral Ground

 

First, you need to introduce your new dog to your other pets in a neutral location – don’t bring him or her straight into the house or garden, as this will be seen as an intrusion on your dog’s territory.  Visit a park or a neighbor’s yard; use a location that is not familiar to either animal.  You will need to have another person handy – one per pet – so you can separate the animals quickly if there is any upset.


Use Positive Reinforcement

 

Let the new dog and your other animals sniff each other for a few minutes.  Keep them both on a leash if your dog is ‘snappy’ or aggressive to strange dogs.  If you have adopted an older dog you will not know his or her temperament yet, and some dogs do have fearful or aggressive reactions to new dogs, so a leash introduction for both is a good idea to begin with. 

 

Make sure that you talk to them both in happy tones – use positive reinforcement here.  Let your new dog and your older dog experience good things in each other’s company.

 

Watch Their Body language

 

Keep an eye on the body posture of the new dog, as well as that of your older dog.  The play-bow (front legs on the ground, rear end in the air) is a sign that things are going well and that the animals want to play together.  However, beware of aggressive body postures, growling, fixed staring and immobility with lips raised (a warning of impending attack), and watch for hackles going up on either pet.


Reintroduce Them to the House

 

Once it seems that the new dog and your older dog have warmed up to each other, it is time to take them into the house.  Let them get used to things together, but make sure that the new dog does not try to take over the older dog’s bed, toys or other prized items.  It may take a few days, or weeks, before things are comfortable, but by using positive reinforcement, things should go smoothly.

 

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