Introducing Your New Dog to Your Existing Pets

When introducing your new dog to your existing pets (dogs, cats etc), all of the initial time together should be supervised. The following are some tips you can use to ensure a smooth dog-to-dog introduction:

The Setup

• Choose a neutral location like an unfamiliar park so that there is no sense of dominance/submission implied by the location.

• You should have the two dogs on leashes held by two different people so that you can maintain control over the interaction.

• Have treats ready to reinforce any good behavior. 

•If you already have more than once dog in the home, introduce each of them individually to the newcomer. Make sure that each dog is comfortable with one another before putting them together in your home.

The Introduction

• Use a happy and upbeat tone of voice during the introduction and praise good behavior.

• Give your dog familiar commands so that he remains attentive to you throughout the introduction.

• Be patient, as forcing them together prematurely will not help the dogs and can be potentially  be scary or dangerous for all parties involved.

Behavior

• A normal, acceptable greeting has loose body postures, as well as each dog allowing and engaging in sniffing the other dog.

• Tail wagging doesn’t necessarily mean that the dogs are happy. Lip curling, growling, staring, and stiffening of the body or tail are all warning signs.

• If you do notice any tension building between the dogs, back the dogs away and try reintroducing them once they each have calmed, perhaps putting a greater distance between them. Each time they are able to get closer, reward them and praise to encourage this excellent behavior.

• A “play bow” (lowering their front legs to the ground while keeping their butts in the air),  indicates that the dog seeks to engage in play. However, just because one dog wants to play does not mean the other dog is ready. Again, watch both dogs’ body language during each interaction.

• It is possible that your dog(s) display indifference about the interaction - this is still a good thing. Praise the dogs and give them treats for this great behavior.

After the Introduction

• Keep the dogs in separate rooms until you are successful at introducing them and completely confident in leaving them alone. They don’t have to be best friends, only get along.

• Be sure to feed each of the dogs separately (either in separate rooms or crates) so that there is no possessiveness over food.

Introducing Dogs of Different Ages

When introducing a new puppy to your existing dog, you will probably not have any problems. However, you should definitely supervise their first few interactions. If your dog has a history of aggression, biting or growing, it is better to keep the two separated until your puppy is a bit larger and able to handle an adult dog.

Again, introduce them in a neutral area and on leashes. Senior dogs might take a bit longer to warm up

to a new puppy, so be patient.

Introducing Dogs to Other Pets

If you’re introducing your new dog to an existing cat or other small pet, be sure to supervise the interaction even more closely as there is more potential for harm. The smaller animal should have a place to go to get away from the larger one. That might mean the top of the cabinet, a safe spot in their cage, or another room.

Never force the interaction. They must get to know one another on their own terms but should always have separate places to go if they feel threatened or frightened. Cats can flee to higher perches and bunnies to their cages. Any “pocket pets” that are generally kept in cages should have a secure lid that is dog-proof and a place where they can go inside their cage and not see the dog. They see the dog as a predator and need to feel safe and secure in their home.

Troubleshooting

If you have tried repeatedly to get your new dog integrated into the household with no success, contact a professional animal behaviorist. Your veterinarian can recommend someone in your area who can expedite their positive interaction. Don’t hesitate to contact an expert—dog fights can be serious and can potentially cause harm to both dogs. Getting the right start can set the stage for a long and loving relationship.