How to Introduce a New Dog to Your Current Dog

If you already have at least one dog and are thinking about getting another one, you are probably wondering how to help them get along. Some animals won't get along no matter what, but most will as long as they don't feel threatened at all.

The easiest way to do this is to introduce your current dog to a potential new dog, in a neutral place. If you choose somewhere neutral, like a park, neither animal has the home court advantage. Animals are much more likely to be aggressive when they feel like another animal is trying to take over their turf. One of the keys to creating a nice home environment is to let your animals become friends on their own, rather than forcing them to share space with some dog that they don't really like. Your pet won't feel nearly as threatened when the new dog moves in, if it is already his friend.

If you can't introduce your dogs to each other in a neutral place, try to do it wherever your dog is least aggressive at home. if your dog is more aggressive in the yard, try putting it in the backyard while you bring the new dog into the house. Keep the new dog on a leash, but let it explore the house a little on its own before meeting the other dog. This way your new dog will be more comfortable when meeting your old dog.

Once your new dog has explored the house a little bit, it's time to bring in your other dog. Have them meet somewhere away from your current dog's bed and food. Let them sniff each other and decide whether or not they want to be friends. Most dogs will be curious about another dog and spend a lot of time sniffing the other dog. Some dogs don't like to be sniffed, so don't be surprised if you hear some growling. Growling doesn't necessarily mean they don't like each other, they are just communicating that they don't like that particular act.

Once they've sniffed each other, as long as they aren't fighting, you might be able to let your new dog off the leash. This way they can explore the house together and your old dog can let your new dog know what belongs to it and is off limits, even to a friend. Don't be surprised if your old dog won't let your new dog eat or drink out of its bowls at first. It's always a good idea to have a second set for the new dog just in case this happens.

Once your dogs have adjusted to each other, you need to let your new dog know what the rules are. For example, if your old dog isn't allowed on the furniture, don't let the new dog on it either. Your old dog will be watching the new one and will see what it can get away. It will think the rules have changed. Your old dog might also try to boss your new dog around when its doing something that is against the rules and cause a fight.

Give your dogs a few days to adjust to each other. Make sure to give both of them lots of attention, but follow the same rules as always. If your old dog doesn't want to share its toys and bed with the new dog, that's okay. Give your new pet toys and a bed of its own. Don't let your old dog bully stuff away from the new dog, though. Once your dogs have adjusted to each other, they might become friends, or in most cases, at least be able to live together.