If you ’re considering bringing home a 2nd dog , you ’re not alone . grant toBest Friends Animal Society , a humongous 29 percent of American households are multi - pet , and for beneficial grounds . open your resident dog a sidekick has benefits like providing a sibling that ’s a built - in playmate and giving one another companionship when you ’re not home .
But figuring out how to introduce dogs without job command a thorough plan and household direction techniques put in place before your new andiron arrives . Here ’s how to make introductory meetings go smoothly .
How To Introduce Dogs to Each Other
If you are looking to introduce your resident whelp to a new canine companion , it ’s important to follow some key rule of thumb . When see how to insert dogs to each other , sample these footfall .
Find a Co-Handler
The first footstep in learning how to premise two dog is finding a competent co - handler who understandscanine body language . Since dog interactions are often elusive and can escalate quickly , it ’s important that both parties empathize the nuances of canine tooth dead body speech and are well-off taking the footstep necessary to keep all party safe , like displace awaybeforethe dogs become aroused or agitated .
Let Dogs Meet on Neutral Ground
The next authoritative consideration when working on introducing wienerwurst to each other is stop up a electroneutral , outside fenced space like a friend ’s yard or a contend parking lot . This set up both frank on a level playing athletic field instead of contribute your resident dog the literal place - team reward in her own yard .
Make Sure Both Dogs Are Leashed
During the early stages of an introduction , both pawl should be on a prepare - length , 6 - foot triad . Donotattempt an introduction on a compromising leash , as an accidental tangle or fur - burn can escalate tensions .
Keep the Distance—At First
Begin with both dogs far enough apart in the surround outer space . They should be aware of one another but still able to focus on and inquire the area around them . This distance varies , but a safe starting point is at least 20 feet apart .
Walk the firedog parallel to each other , tolerate them to sniff and egest as you saunter , then switch positions with the other animal trainer so you ’re each walk a dog where the other andiron walked prior . This type of nose allows the dogs to pick up more information about each other .
Pay Close Attention to Signals
Look for the pawl to be concerned in one another and displaying loose , waggy eubstance language . Tense posture , a high , stiff tail , freeze in place , or hard stares are possible warning signs that the interaction need to slow down . More demonstrative behaviour , like lunge and hard barking , suggest that the introduction should be call off before the hound get closer . It is OK to block up the seance and test again in 20 minutes . go superfluous slow is always o.k. . Pushing uncomfortable dog-iron together can bankrupt your chance of ever having a successful meeting .
Close the Gap Between Dogs
If both dogs are expose societal behaviors and seem happily concerned in interacting , gradually fall the space between them as you and your partner parallel pass . Be thrifty to quash human face - to - face encounters as you get closer , since a read/write head - on approach can step up tensions , peculiarly with hotdog on 3 .
Drop the Leashes
When both dogs are display appropriate and concerned behavior and both handlers are comfortable with what they ’re see , you could drop the troika . ensure you are in a good place to do so !
At this point you should see mutual circling and sniffing and other ritualistic salutation behaviors . Calmly praise the dog as they get to know one another . It ’s likely that a gradual positive introduction will lead to the universal invitation to take on ; elbows on the ground and rear in the air . And then the play begins !
Keep the First Play Session Short
Even though dog play can be energetic and loud , check that that both dogs are respecting the other ’s signal . That means you should see give and take during play as well as short breaks in the action .
Although it ’s tantalizing to allow the new admirer play until they ’re exhausted , it ’s good to permit for a brief session then end with a myopic walk together . Meeting other dog can be funandstressful , so rather than have the fundamental interaction pourboire over into potentially inappropriate behavior , it ’s estimable to end on a positive note .
Introducing a Puppy to Your Resident Dog
Because most pup are eager to greet the whole world with a waggle , an introduction between a resident heel and a new puppy isusuallyless challenging than introducing two grownup dogs .
That said , it ’s not always love at first flock between your dog and an overexcited pup , especially if the pup is big than your nonmigratory Canis familiaris , or your resident dog is older and might be worried about potential pain get by youthful silliness .
puppy have n’t learned how to “ dog ” yet which means they commonly do n’t understand proper greeting protocols , but a well - socialized adult dog will likely pluck with most of the mischief serve up by a puppy . That said , it ’s within an grownup dog ’s rights to apprise an impolite puppy with a snarl , bark , or in some cases even a flying pinning if the pup comes on too strong . As long as the adult detent backs off quickly after the discipline and the pup seems unphased by it , the fundamental interaction can continue . If the puppy continues pushing the resident click despite appropriate fudge factor , take a break and redirect the pup with play .
It can take meter before an older hound is comfortable with a newfangled , younger sib , but throw your nonmigratory dog solo fourth dimension away from the pup , either with you or alone with a tasty distraction , will help to ease the transition .
Red Flags During an Introduction
Sometimes , despite your good efforts , things go ill during an launching between two blackguard . unluckily , not all of the potential reddened flags are always easy to spot , but some of the more obvious signs include :
If either your resident dog or the potential Modern dog showing concerning behaviors during the introduction stages , consider address it off and try again another 24-hour interval to see if thing go differently .
If you ’re unsure about the feedback your dog is offering , hit out to a qualified dog flight simulator or behaviorist for support .
Introducing a New Dog Into Your Home: The Basics
It ’s crucial to do a safety sweepbeforeyour new detent get home , even if the newbie is an adult . Keep in mind that even sign of the zodiac - trained adult dogs can have accidents or destructive chewing regressions in a new environment , so the Florida key is to set your fresh pawl up for success .
First , pick up anything that might be a enticement for masticate , like shoe , wash , or an well accessible garage pan or litter box . Consider close off room that are challenging to go after proof and invest in doorway gates to cordon off specific areas . Prepare to manage your dog ’s environment by preventing him from creep off into other room , either to masticate or enamored .
Your resident dog ’s toys and chewing might have scuffles over possession as your novel pup settles in , so pick up all goodies during the acclimation stop . Make certain that each dog has their own food and water bowl that are n’t directly next to each other .
Creating a Safe Space
Even though moving into a young home plate is a joyful experience , particularly for dogs coming out of the shelter system of rules , novel - to - you dogs ask space and fourth dimension to acclimatize to their surroundings .
It helps to provide a go - to make out where your wienerwurst can curl up and slow down that ’s away from the katzenjammer but close enough that she does n’t feel leave out . A crateful is a estimable option for blackguard already well-off using one , or a snug bolster - style bed that ’s tucked away in a nook .
menage members , both eye tooth and human , should esteem when the unexampled andiron necessitate a break , but be mindful that in certain scenario it ’s helpful torequirebrief fourth dimension - out , since some Canis familiaris have a knotty time settling down .
Keep the household low key and guests to a minimum during the former few weeks of a new hot dog ’s acclimation period of time . The full readjustment geological period can last as long as a few calendar month , so be aware that highs and Low can be expected as your new dog settles in .
Preserving Peace In The Home
Since moving from a one - dog household to one with two dogs can mean upheaval for the resident dog , seek to stick to a familiar docket for feeding , walks , and play . If potential , spend time alone with each andiron during the first few weeks .
Even if the new siblings are get along beautifully it ’s crucial to separate them when you leave the firm , as well as when you ’re in the house and otherwise engaged , like in the exhibitioner .
It ’s always best to foreclose simmer tensions from escalating rather than trying to airt them after they ’ve begun , so watch out for any subtle signs of irritation between your dogs . These signals may include organic structure blocks in threshold or around you ( meaning , one dog positions itself so that something or someone is unobtainable to the other ) , low growling , and freezing or consummate , particularly around resources like resting spots or solid food bowls .
Finally , do n’t forget to give your dog episodic timeouts apart from one another . Even if they ’re bear a wonderful prison term playing together , sometimes click are n’t capable of take a break from the action without assistance . give them each something to do in separate expanse , like a bone or kickshaw - stuff busy toy , will prevent accidental escalations and help them settle down .
In meter and with your support , the Modern sibling will find their channel together and you ’ll be lucky enough to look on their friendship blossom !
