Overview

Resident dogs don't always relish sharing their territory and human family with some upstart new pup. To make sure peace and order prevails, take some care in introducing your new dog or puppy.

Note: If your dog has fought with other dogs, consult a qualified behaviorist or trainer before bringing a new dog home.

Steps

1. Before you bring in the new dog, stash away anything your dog could possibly get possessive about.
That includes toys, beds, food dishes, and the like. Do this even if your dog isn't an object guarder; you never know how he'll react when a new dog enters his home turf.

2. Choose an area for the dogs to meet.
Pick an outdoor spot that isn't your yard, like a neighborhood park. Your resident dog is less likely to feel territorial on neutral ground, and if the dogs are outside they can avoid each other if they want, which helps keep the situation calm.

3. Enlist another person to handle one of the dogs.
That way you can separate the dogs if needed.

4. Introduce the two dogs.
Act as if you were meeting a friend and her dog on a normal walk. Keep the leashes loose or drop them, let the dogs sniff, and stay relaxed--the dogs look to you for guidance on whether the situation is anything to be stressed about. Don't hold a puppy or small dog in your arms; this makes dogs feel trapped and tense.

5. Separate the dogs if you see any signs of an imminent fight.
What to look for: raised hackles, teeth baring, deep growling, and nipping or snapping. Pulling on the leash can actually raise tensions, so call the dogs away, with a treat if necessary, rather than dragging them by the leash.

6. If the meet-and-greet went well, reintroduce the dogs outside your house.
If you've got a fenced-in yard, let them off-leash.

7. If all's going well, let them come inside.
Take your resident dog off-leash to come in, but keep the newcomer on-leash at first.

8. Let the new dog explore the house.
If your resident dog seems comfortable with the new pup in his home, you can take the new dog off the leash.

9. Follow your resident dog's normal routine.
Walks, meals, training, cuddle time, and so on should follow the same routine, so your resident dog doesn't see the new one as a disruption.

To prevent dust-ups, feed the dogs in separate rooms or put one outside, one inside for mealtime. And for the first few weeks, don't leave your dogs alone. Keep an eye on their interactions and make sure they seem completely comfortable before you let them hang out unsupervised. Pay extra close attention during times when they're likely to get riled up, like mealtime, walks, or play sessions.

DogTime tip: If you've got more than one dog already, introduce each resident dog to the newcomer separately in the outdoor meeting place, before you bring the whole group together.

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