How to Introduce a New Dog Into Your Home

Introducing a new dog into your home will go more easily if you take some time to plan the introduction. There are many stressful factors involved for the new dog and for the dog that has been living with you before the arrival of the newbie. Many dogs like other dogs, but living with one all the time may not be easy for them. Taking the needs of all household pets into consideration will help you plan for a smooth transition.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Before the new dog comes into the resident dog's home, pick up all toys, bowls, beds, and close the door to the room the resident dog sleeps in. This will alleviate the need for the dogs to work out a problem before they have gotten to know one another.

2. Before the first introduction to the resident dog, allow the new dog to become familiar with the house on his own. Have someone take the family dog for a long walk or to the park and let the new dog sniff and explore his new surroundings. Try to allow him to stay inside long enough to just lay down and relax.

3. Arrange to introduce the dogs to one another on neutral territory, even if they have met before. Take them for a walk together. If they are both dog social, go to the dog park together. Praise the dogs and pet them for being friendly.

4. Walk the dogs around the front yard together and then enter the house once they are friendly and not sniffing each other anymore.

5. Do not leave the dogs alone together for a day or two. Crate one if need be. Observe their interactions, watch for erect body postures, stiffening and overt aggression. If there is little to none of these types of behavior, you may gradually add items such as toys and beds back into the environment.

6. Support the dominant dog when there is a disagreement. If a young dog is harassing an older dog, and the older dog snaps at the younger one, this is fair and the older dog should not be scolded. Your dog does not have to share his bed or bones with the new dog. Life is not always "fair," and often when we try to make it so, we cause problems to escalate by confusing our dogs and causing them to reassert their dominance.

7. Feed dogs separately to insure safety and adequate food intake for both dogs. Feed separately always. Even dogs that have not had issues may injure one another around food. Often this comes out of the blue.

8. If there is a real problem with your current dog and the new dog, contact a trainer who has educated herself about dog behavior. Most dogs can work things out, but it is difficult to assess what needs to be done to make things safe without a full understanding of canine behavior.

Tips & Warnings

• Crate training is very helpful in multiple pet households.
• Do not try to break up a dog fight with your hands. Use a chair, broom, hose or other item to intercede.