Bringing home a second dog

2 comments | Leave your own comment

One of the thorniest issues a pet owner may face is introducing another dog or puppy into the family. A dog who has had the house and family to himself may not welcome another dog in his "den," and may resent having to share his family's attention. The initial meeting is important, so you'll need to prepare to improve your chances of success.

If your dog has fought with other dogs in the past, please talk with a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, Veterinary Behaviorist, or Certified Professional Dog Trainer before introducing the new dog or puppy into your home.

Before the first meeting

Before introducing your new puppy, take away all items your dog might feel protective of. Food dishes, favorite toys, even nests or bedding may cause your dog to react aggressively to the presence of another, even if he hasn't shown these behaviors in the past. Clean up any untidiness or clutter, as the dogs may feel pushed together if their space is confined.

Neutral ground

To help prevent the resident dog from getting territorial, choose a place such as a park or other open area for the initial meeting. This provides a neutral atmosphere with other things going on to distract the dogs, and they will be able to separate if they want to. Be sure there is another person to handle one of the dogs.

Each of you should bring a dog separately to the meeting place. Allow them to meet as if you were on a normal walk. Keep their leashes loose, or let them go, so they won't feel restrained. After the obligatory sniffing, a puppy will probably become submissive to a grown dog by exposing his belly. If your resident dog is used to others, he may want to play with the puppy, or he may just be more interested in other things.

Two grown dogs may go through an extensive ritual of posturing, sniffing, playing or even urinating. After this, one or both may simply choose to pay no attention to the other, but don't worry if they growl a little or try to dominate each other. Let them establish their rapport with as little interference from you as possible.

Only get in the middle if the dogs begin to fight, or tension is obviously mounting. Tension behaviors include hackle-raising (the hair on the back of their necks standing on end), baring their teeth, deep growling, nipping or snapping. If you witness any of these behaviors, separate  [Continued]

Your name:

Your email:

Recipient's email: OK to enter multiple addresses
separated by commas

Message: Check out what I found on DogTime.com!

And, for spam prevention...

Incorrect please try again

Enter the words above: Enter the numbers you hear:

Try another one | Try audio instead Try text instead | Help

Sending....please wait.