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Dogs are social animals and most enjoy the company of others. Just like humans, some dogs have more outgoing personalities, and others are more reserved. Whether you just brought home a聽new puppy and are introducing them to the dog you already have, or you鈥檙e walking at a park with your dog, a proper introduction is very important.
Introducing a New Puppy to Your Dog
You finally picked out your new puppy and are ready to bring them home. Everyone is excited about the new addition, but will the dog at home feel the same way? Before bringing in the new addition, prepare your home. A , an exercise pen, and are all helpful tools when you need to quickly separate the dogs. Plan on establishing a routine from the very beginning, too.
It鈥檚 important to understand that puppies are still developing their communication skills. This means that they don鈥檛 understand the rules set in place by adult dogs. When they first enter their new home, puppies have a lot to learn, both from you and the established dog. Puppies immediately start looking for someone to play with and when they can鈥檛 find another puppy, the adult dog is the next best thing. Your dog may or may not appreciate this! You must carefully supervise any interactions to keep both dogs safe and happy.
When it鈥檚 time for the dogs to meet, it should be in a neutral place 鈥� not inside the established dog鈥檚 home. You might take the older dog along when you pick up the puppy. They can ride home, each in a separate crate, in the car together. When everyone is home, take them out, walk them around on leashes in the front yard, and walk inside together. An unknown puppy barging in the front door can seem like an invasion to even the friendliest, most mellow dog. If you can鈥檛 take the older dog along, the dogs should still meet outside of the home and walk in together.
Don鈥檛 reprimand the adult dog for growling at the puppy. This is how dogs let others know that they鈥檙e feeling unhappy about something. Growling can let the puppy know that it鈥檚 time to take a step back from the situation. This is an important lesson for your puppy to learn, since growling is a way older dogs communicate that a puppy has crossed the line. It鈥檚 acceptable as long as the adult dog doesn鈥檛 make inappropriate contact and injure the puppy.
To make sure interactions stay safe and聽the elder dog isn鈥檛 overwhelmed, supervise all interactions between the dogs. If you notice that the elder dog is becoming agitated by the puppy, separate or redirect the puppy to another task before things get out of hand. When you鈥檙e unable to directly supervise the puppy, they should be placed behind a gate and in an 聽or in a crate.
You should give the elder dog a break from the puppy several times during the day. You can do this by crating either dog. Periods of separation during the day can take the pressure off the elder dog and give both dogs much-needed breaks. Puppies, while adorable, can be annoying to older dogs. You must ensure that the older dog still gets plenty of one-on-one attention from the family.
When supervising interactions, reward both dogs for behaving appropriately. Make sure your puppy is getting enough mental and physical exercise, so they鈥檙e not focusing all their attention on the older dog. A great activity is taking both dogs on a walk. Eventually, with an introduction that hasn鈥檛 been rushed, the puppy will develop the communication skills they need to succeed, and your dogs will likely be great friends.
Introducing Your Dog to a Strange Dog
It鈥檚 almost guaranteed that when you and your dog are out on a walk, you鈥檒l come into contact with another dog.
Always ask the other owner if an interaction with their dog is okay. Some dogs may be timid or reactive, and interactions with them may not be ideal for either dog. If both you and the other owner approve of the dogs interacting, proceed to let the dogs meet. Some dogs may act differently on a leash than they do when off-leash. This can be due to feeling trapped and that they cannot get away if an altercation occurs.
Once they come in contact, normal dog behavior will likely occur, and the dogs will sniff each other in greeting. Signs that the meeting is going well include relaxed facial expressions,聽play bows, tails wagging fast, and wiggling their hind ends.
Signs that the meeting is too much for either dog may include yawning, turning their heads away from the other dog, tense jaws, tails held low, shaking, and the hair standing up along their backs. These behaviors indicate the dog is nervous about the meeting. In this case, it鈥檚 best to separate the dogs and continue on your walk before the situation has a chance to escalate.
Don鈥檛 let your dog meet every dog they see on a walk. Switch it up and ask for periods of focus on you when passing another dog. This helps prevent your pet from lunging at every dog they pass, including those that are uncomfortable with other dogs.
Dog-to-dog interactions are an important part of dog ownership. When performed correctly, they can be enjoyable for everyone. Remember to always take meetings slowly. If any dog appears to be nervous or anxious about the situation, increasing the distance is best. With well-trained greetings, your dog will happily anticipate the fun that they can have with other dogs.
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