How to you introduce your new dog to your other dogs

Are you thinking of bringing a new dog home and are anxious about how your residing canine friend will handle the newest member of your household? It could indeed turn into a stressful situation for your resident canine buddy if friendly introductions have not been made with the new dog.

A lifetime of bonding and harmony can be established among the canine members of your household if you as a pet parent know how to effectively manage friendly interactions between them.  

Here is how you can introduce your new dog to your resident dogs:

• Introduce them on neutral territory: You can take each of your dog walking to a park or a neighbourhood where they have not been before. Each dog must be walked separately. They should be walked at a distance where they can only look at each other. So, if they look at each other without exhibiting any negative behaviour. You can reward them with treats which you will carry with you while walking.
• Observe their body language: While introducing the dogs you must observe their body posture which would show signs of defensive or protective response. This could be in the form of hair standing up in your dog’s back, barking, growling, baring their teeth or a prolonged stare. If you notice this response among your dogs when they are at a distance or near each other you need to calm them down and distract them by showing something interesting. Once they have calmed down make them to look at each other and you can reward them with treats if the look at each other in a relaxed manner.
• Let the dogs set the pace for friendly interactions: Do not force your dogs to interact with each other when they are not ready. Let them take their own time to bond with each other. Observe them closely at home and take them for walks and see if they like to walk together or if they would prefer one to lead the other.
• Monitor them closely at home: Let each dog be kept separate until they slowly get used to each other. You must ensure that there would be no fights among them for toys, food or treats. Monitor them when they are interacting with each other and reward them when they show positive behaviour.

You can always consult your vet or trainer for expert advice in this matter.

Happy parenting!