Like bringing home a new baby, a new puppy will need your love and attention. Your other dogs may feel unloved and may desire more attention, but as many siblings do, they will also need to adjust and welcome the newest addition to the family. Dogs are naturally social animals and crave to be around others. Consider the following tips to introduce your new dog to the other dogs of the house and develop a natural bond with one another:
The initial introduction should be as calm as possible, and it should happen in a neutral territory. Both dogs should be relaxed and comfortable. If a dog is too excited or overanxious, wait until the dog is in a calm state of mind to meet the other canine. Leash both of the dogs, and maintain at all times control.
As strange as it sounds, according to the Greyhound Adoption Center, introducing the dogs “head to butt” will reduce aggression, as it allows them to smell each other out and get to know each other. Do not leave the canines unsupervised or off their leashes until you trust that they are comfortable with each other, and take as much time as possible to let them get acquainted and build a friendship.
In the wild, dogs travel in packs with a dominant leader. However, your home is not the wild, so avoid creating a leader in your home by treating the dogs equally. While taking the dogs for a walk, make sure they are both even, as allowing one to walk in front of hte other leads the dogs to believe that the front runner is in control. By keeping the dogs parallel and at the same pace, you can curb aggressiveness.
Also, learn to read body postures that can suggest dominance. If one dog puts their chin, neck, or foot over the other’s shoulders, stop them, as this is an attempt to assert dominance. If you see signs of dominance, keep the dogs separate and wait to reintroduce them.
Next, give praise to each dog separately, and use friendly, non-threatening tones. Make sure each dog knows how much you care for them. This will also encourage them to get along as it will help them understand how much you want them to be together. If you give a treat or belly rub to one, give the other dog equal love. Do not allow one dog to get jealous or feel less important.
At your home, remove any objects that could initiate fights. These objects include food dishes, dog bones, and toys. Until you are sure that your dogs are comfortable with each other, supervise the canines when using and sharing these objects. If one dog starts to get possessive or aggressive, remove the object from them. It also helps to feed the dogs in separate rooms to establish rules. Fights are more likely to break out if one dog sticks his nose in the other dog’s dish. The same theory applies to sleeping position and bathroom location. Give each dog the space they need to claim their own territory.
Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting experience for the entire house, so follow the K9 Kingdom tips outlined above. You want the newest addition to fit perfectly into the family. Take the proper precautions and introduce the new canine into a loving, caring environment. And for more information on K9 Kingdom, the Pittsburgh, PA area’s premier dog boarding and full service pet care facility, visit their website at www.myk9kingdom.com today.
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