How To Introduce Dogs To Each Other | Bringing Home A New Dog

Bringing home a new dog and introducing them to your longtime man's best friend can be a stressful experience if you’re unprepared. We wanted to give you a few tips to help the transition go smoothly and get your furry friends off to a great start on the road to friendship. 

Things to Consider

There are a few things to consider when introducing new dogs to each other. Have both dogs been socialized thoroughly? Do either of the dogs normally show any signs of defensiveness when it comes to food, toys or strangers? 

Whether the dogs have been spayed or neutered can also play a role in how well their introduction goes. Keep in mind, they may have only been around a few dogs before so the introduction can be stressful. Fortunately there are some things you can do to ease the stress and set your dog up for a pleasant experience.

Be Patient & Trust the Process

1. 
   Always have one person per dog with each dog leashed.

-This is essential in the event the introduction becomes negative. One person wouldn’t be able to separate the dogs in the event of an incident. 

1. Start in a calm, neutral location that neither dog has claimed through regular walks. Find somewhere with no other dogs or people if possible or an off day at the park.

-This isn’t the easiest thing to find especially if you live in a busy city. Large backyards, garages or basements can also work in a pinch.

1. 
   Put away any items the dogs may fight over like toys, bones, food bowls etc.

-This can help prevent negative behaviors like guarding or fighting over certain items. 

1. 
   Keep an eye on each dog's body language for signs of playfulness and interest.

-If you’re unfamiliar with dog behavior & body language, it’s best to enlist the help of a trainer during the introduction process

1. 
   Walk both dogs in the same direction with a good distance between them and alternate positions with the other human/dog team to allow the dogs to investigate each other's scent. 

-If all behavior and body language points toward a good interaction, slowly decrease the distance between them while continuing the parallel walk.

1. 
   Go to an enclosed area and let them interact off leash.

-If interactions continue in a positive way, drop their leashes and let them greet each other freely. Make sure you’re in a place that allows this and that is safe for everyone involved like a fenced yard. 

Now they will generally spend some time sniffing and getting to know each other better before starting to play. Be sure to monitor them during this time to see if their play is mutual and be prepared to step in to give them a break from each other if necessary.

Bringing Home A New Dog

Now that they know each other better, it may be time to bring the new dog home to be a part of your family. Try to maintain your current dog's daily schedule to provide a calm environment while your new addition gets used to life in a new house. 

Here are some important things to consider in order to make sure things stay positive between your new and existing dog.

• 
  Separate both dogs when you’re not home AND at mealtimes.

These are very important because dogs can become possessive over food. If you’re not there to separate them in the event of a negative interaction things could go south fairly quickly. 

• 
  One Toy At A Time

Introduce toys back into the mix slowly and be on the lookout for signs of aggression like guarding toys or snapping at each other when they get too close.

• 
  Be Prepared To Step In

Be sure to monitor both dogs for things like body blocking, growling and snapping. If these or other signs of aggression, step in and separate the dogs before things escalate. They need a break from each other sometimes, just like people do!

Use the same procedure above when introducing a new puppy into the home, although your adult dog may need more frequent breaks. Puppies have a lot of energy which can wear out even the most tolerant dogs. 

Keep in mind that signs of mild aggression are expected as dogs get to know each other. The key is to spot things escalating early enough to intervene. 

If you have any questions, feel free to call us here at White Sands Animal Clinic in Bonita Springs, Florida. We’d be happy to help.