Would you like to add a new dog to your home? Introducing a new dog can be tricky when you have another dog at home who’s comfortable with his position in the pack. In order to avoid fights and incompatibility issues between the new dog and your established dog, there are certain steps you should take to make the introduction a new dog easier:
Keep in mind the sex of each dog
As a generalization, a dog will tend to get along better with a dog of the opposite sex. If you’re introducing a new dog of the same sex, you may want to consider spaying or neutering the new dog before the introduction. Unfortunately, spaying and neutering may only reduce dominance behavior if the dog is spayed or neutered before a certain age, usually 6-8 months of age. If at all possible before selecting a new dog to bring home, see how the dog interacts with other dogs at the kennel or shelter where he currently resides. If he exhibits strong dominance behavior there, he’ll likely display it towards your dog at home.
Allow your dogs initial meeting to take place in neutral territory
Dogs are much less likely to behave in a dominant or aggressive manner if they first meet on neutral territory. Have your dogs meet initially at a local dog park or a fenced in friend’s yard. Let them play together and watch how they interact. Praise them both for good behavior.
Keep your tone positive and friendly when the two dogs are together
When the two dogs are interacting in a friendly manner, speak soothingly and positively to them to reinforce their positive interaction. Your goal should be to make both dogs feel good when they’re in each others presence.
Give your original dog sufficient attention
When a new dog is introduced into the household, attention can sometimes be directed towards the new family member making your old dog feel left out. Give your original dog the same amount of attention and time that he received prior to the new dog being introduced.
Keep each dog’s belongings separate
Don’t force the new dog to share a feeding bowl, water bowl, bed, or dog house with your original dog. Make sure each dog has his own supplies. Sharing food and water bowls can create unnecessary friction between the two dogs.
Reinforce the pack order
Allow the dogs to determine their own pack order. Once a pack order has been established, reinforce it as much as possible. The dog higher in the pack should be fed first and given treats before the second dog. Don’t adopt a sympathetic demeanor towards the underdog as this can destroy pack unity and potentially cause a dog fight.
Be prepared for skirmishes
When you introduce a new dog into your household, some initial friction is to be expected trance. You can also break up a fight with a bucket of cold water poured on the heads of both dogs.
Bringing a new dog into the household requires a period of adjustment for both humans and animals but with a little patience and caution it can be the beginnings of a wonderful new relationship.
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User Comments
Zirk Engelbrecht
On May 15, 2008 at 2:48 am
I have had two clumber spaniels for many years and the younger one is definitely the alpha dog. I recently got a Tibettan Mastiff and I am having problems for the clumber to accept the much bigger Mastiff. The Clumber is 6 years and the Mastiff is 3.
I need some clear help on how to calm this situation as I have small children in the house and I am very worried that a fight may break out when the infant is around and the situation is all around uncomfortable right now.
Christy Tuller
On September 24, 2008 at 11:35 am
Great advice! I worked for a few years at an animal shelter and you would be surprised how many people want to just take a new dog home with out ever introducing them to their other dog first! Of course, we never let that happen and made a few people upset but they always understood in the end. I posted this to my blog too. Great article once again!
jenny
On December 19, 2008 at 9:21 pm
My fiance and I are about to adopt from the humane society tommorrow and your advice is much appreciated and in line with other professionals!
Lynette
On December 31, 2008 at 6:39 pm
We have a much loved nearly 15 year old female dog and we have just introduced an 8 week old male puppy to the family who has a gentle disposition. Our older dog is a bit snarly toward him. What can we do to balance the situation short of seperating the two of them. We are very mindful of sharing the affection and praise with both dogs, The older dog will not be with us for too much longer and we just want her to be comfortable and not feel threatened in anyway in her last bit of time with us.
Suzan
On February 1, 2009 at 5:38 pm
We are soon to be bringing home a rescue from another state rescue facility. Our current dog – a cockapoo is 16 mo. old and does great at doggy day care with all the dogs there. This rescue – a Bichon – is 13 mo. old and both dogs are already neutered. Is this a good idea? I expect there to be some friction, so how shall we handle this? I was going to maybe let both dogs meet on neutral ground in town (I’d be walking our old one, hubby would be walking the new one) to see how they interact. What if they don’t like each other? I expect they won’t at first, but at home I thought about enclosing the new doggy in a large crate with a play enclosure attached so they could sniff at each other without getting hurt. New dog will have his own toys, bowls, beds, etc. New dog will most likely be scared as he is flying into our state from TX. Help! I am a little nervous. Any advice asap would be appreciated.
Dena
On April 22, 2009 at 12:22 am
Even though I have had numerous dogs, I just introduced a newbee to our family. It reminded me to be patient. All our dogs are rescue and I still needed reminding to be patient and respect the pack.
Thank you!
Luciano
On August 4, 2009 at 11:58 pm
I just brought a new male puppy(2mo old beaggle) home from the shelter, My 3 yo female(german sheppard chow mix) got incredibly agressive and i’m now afraid she may hurt the puppy…what should I do??? please help!
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