If I Never See Another Dog Again It Will Be Too Soon

Renee DiPietro, LVT, Permitted Wildlife Rehabilitator
Veterinary Information Specialist
Pet Poison Helpline

Initial interactions between resident dogs and new canines can be unpredictable. For this reason, such introductions should be approached with caution and planning. As with people, first impressions are important and can fix the stage of a human relationship between pets residing in the same household. At that place are a multifariousness of possible scenarios that are dependent upon the historic period, species, temperament, pecking society status, etc. of the animals to be involved in the introduction.

If your current dog or dogs take a history of fighting with other dogs reconsider your option to take on an additional canine family member. The happiness of your current dog may need to negate your want to have some other pet.

If you are not willing to consider keeping your dog a solo pet it would exist wise to speak with an expert in canine behavior and implement the suggested behavior modifications with your domestic dog(southward) before attempting to add a new member to the current canine or pack already established in your home. Your dog(s) considers your dwelling house to be his den. That natural territorial component combined with a history of assailment towards other dogs could set you up for a dangerous situation if these issues are non dealt with proactively.

Tips for less than confrontational introduction:

1. Leave your current domestic dog at domicile when you go to pick up your new domestic dog. This is a safer idea for anybody involved. Managing the interaction of 2 new dogs while y'all are driving a car will non be possible and the confined space could make the initial meeting more fractious.
2. Recruit a helper(s) for the introduction. You should have one person to handle each canis familiaris.
3. Choose a neutral setting for the coming together. If yous bring a new dog into your home before information technology has been introduced to your electric current dog(s) there could be territorial behavior that develops into aggression.
4. Keep the dogs leashed initially, only try to keep a loose lead to reduce tension. Let interaction between the dogs to progress at its own pace. Even if they ignore each other at starting time this is better than forcing them into a situation that causes them to become defensive or aggressive.
5. Continue initial interaction brief. Allow them to touch on noses, sniff each other a chip, then separate them and involve them in another activity such as obedience practice or play for a few minutes and and then allow them another short introduction. This fragmentation of initial contact tin can help to prevent escalations of tension and aggression.
6. Keep your own voice and mental attitude and those of the other handler'southward positive and happy. This volition help to keep everyone in the situation, humans and dogs alike, calm and productive.
7. Accept treats handy and use them every bit rewards for good behavior during the interaction breaks. Do not offer them while the dogs are interacting.
8. Observe the body language of all dogs involved. If your new dog is being introduced to more than one resident dog, it is really best to make carve up introductions so that pairs or groups of dogs are not ganging up on the new comer. Inviting, happy body language is a sign that things are going well. Guarded, defensive body linguistic communication can mean trouble. If negative body language is observed, separate the dogs and return to distracting them with other activities. Wait a little while and then try again but keep the interaction very brief. The main goal here is to prevent escalation of tensions betwixt the dogs.
9. Continue with cursory interactions until the initial excitement has worn off and greeting behaviors take prodigal. When everyone is behaving in a calm and positive style it is time to take your dogs dwelling house.
10. When you arrive at home take your dogs for a brief walk around the neighborhood together earlier approaching the house.
11. Once you accept entered the house lead them around the inside of the business firm together. If they accomplish this calmly, let them off the leash but keep them where you tin can supervise them.

During the offset few weeks after bringing the new domestic dog domicile, nurture this blossoming relationship. Make sure you accept removed any toys or personal items belonging to you electric current dog(s) earlier introducing the new comer. The idea is to remove any impetus for conflict.

For the beginning few weeks each dog should have a split area where it is confined for sleeping, meals, time- outs, and when there is no one home to supervise. This tin can be accomplished by crating the dogs or keeping them in dissever rooms. After a few weeks if anybody seems to be getting along well you lot tin offset to leave the dogs together without supervision for short periods of time. If all seems well with them, slowly increment the length of fourth dimension until you feel you tin trust them for longer periods without mishap. Do not always leave them unsupervised with food available to them. Eventually you may be able to feed them in the same area if you lot teach them manners for this state of affairs. If food is left in the bowls by any party choice it up and offer it again later.

During these showtime few weeks it is also a good idea to innovate variables into the interaction periods. Have people come to visit, and other families interact with the dogs during their together time.

If there appears to exist any ongoing tension betwixt the dogs continue their periods of interaction or hanging out together brief. Halt whatever escalations of temperament with a house, consistent control and so split them for a short period. When they behave well together praise them equally.

If despite your best efforts tensions between the dog members of your household persist or escalate, contact animal behavior expert for advice. This help could come from a veterinarian, veterinary technician, dog trainer or animal behaviorist.

In the event that a domestic dog fight should occur y'all must stop it to forbid further injury. This existence said, never, ever, get into the middle of information technology. Endeavor distracting the dogs with a loud noise, if this does not work you tin throw something soft such as a couch pillow, a soft plastic dog dish, or a coat at them, or if outside spray them with hose. In one case they are distracted for a moment get a hold of at least ane of them and separate them until they are at-home. This does not mean they cannot be introduced again but they need to be kept split up for a short time until tensions between them accept eased.

If the new inductee is a puppy, some slight variations to the above guidelines may demand to exist implemented. Puppies are exuberant in their actions and interactions and are not ofttimes experienced enough to recognize and consequently respect the warnings of older members of their species. This is a adept reason to leave puppies with their mother as long every bit possible as she will teach them species specific manners and the ins and outs of interacting with their own species. If you have the choice of taking a puppy from its female parent at 8 weeks, or 10 or 12 weeks, go with the longer period. Just a couple of weeks can make a huge departure in teaching a puppy positive social interaction within its own species.

Click here for an article containing tips on how to innovate a puppy to older dogs.

Dogs are communal animals and generally enjoy the company of others of their species. If the initial introduction period is managed in a at-home, well planned manner, your new family member will probable bring much joy to all of your human and canine family members.

In rare instances, your dogs may non may non attain a relationship in which they can be trusted to stay lonely together or even to tolerate each other for more than than cursory periods. Be willing to accept this possibility and have a programme now that you accept committed to this new family unit member. There are creative ways to live with dogs that cannot get along.

References:

1. Dog Time
2. Pets WebMD
3. Clicker Training

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Source: https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/blog/introducing-new-dog-home-resident-dogs/

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