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Some older dogs are not puppy tolerant, and you may find that it is more than you bargained for. Your current dog may become aggressive towards the puppy. 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.
They may be calmer if they don't feel completely restrained. If your current dog is wary of the new dog or is showing aggression, the process can take a lot longer and will likely involve rotating dogs and behavior modification. Consulting with a professional would be highly recommended to make sure the process is done correctly, if possible. Once you’ve seen that both dogs are enjoying their walk and seem relaxed in each other's presence, you can slowly close the gap while continuing to parallel walk. Avoid letting them come face to face with each other while they’re on their leads as this position has the potential to cause stress and confrontation.
How to Introduce a New Dog to Your Current Dog
If the dog will mainly be in the living room and the kitchen, for example, just introduce those rooms and keep the rest of the home blocked off. When you move to a new place you should not get the dog all new toys and a new bed. The things that the dog already has have its smells all over them and they will provide it with comfort during the adjustment period. A rescue dog is not uncommon in becoming scared of everything around him. The first thing to think of when thinking of the dog is abuse he suffered in the past. In reality, it is more likely that the dog was not socialized as a puppy.
Moving to a new house can be exciting and stressful too, both at the same time. There are so many things to be excited about, new rooms, a backyard with fruit trees, more space, and above all a new neighborhood. On the other hand it can be very stressful too because there are so many things needed to be done, like packing, moving, sorting, you name it. But wait, are you moving with one of your canine family members?
Pay attention to each dog’s body language.
Set meal times and stick to them as closely as possible. Bringing home a new puppy or kitten is an exciting time for everyone. However, it can also be challenging if you aren’t prepared. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota in 1998. Play with the dog in the same way and at the same time as you used to.
I recommended they carry a legal alarm to protect their dog should the need arise. I wouldn’t use them on my own dogs but I believe in being prepared after my own dogs being attacked by aggresive off-lead dogs in the past. My Sister’s friend has just lost her elderly Daxie in an attack by an off-lead known to be aggressive Staffy. As expected, Missy’s introduction to Katie in our backyard was uneventful, due to Katie’s mobility challenges. One by one I released the other dogs to join Missy in the yard, all without incident.
But, Just Good Friends
Always speak to your dog first when introducing it to a new dog. Many rescue shelters will facilitate these meetings to see if the dogs will get along. Plan this visit to take place several days before the new dog is scheduled to come home with you. Dog appeasing pheromone sprays can boost the scent recognition process. These can be purchased from your veterinarian or at major pet retailers. DAP contains a synthetic version of the pheromone that a nursing bitch gives off in order to make her pups feel safe and content.
Rushing can lead to over-arousal, fear and even a situation where your dogs will never be comfortable in the same space. To avoid any territorial behavior or resource guarding, senior dogs and new puppies should first be introduced on neutral ground, rather than in your home or yard. Once they’ve both acclimated to living together in your home, take measures to avoid your senior dog feeling boxed out. For example, your senior dog should feel like their belongings – toys, chews, etc. – still belong to them and not the new puppy.
If so desired, spritz the t-shirts with DAP at each stage, giving it as bedding to the first dog, then spritz again when it’s transferred to the second dog. She no longer has to deal with Katie, who passed away a few weeks after Missy’s arrival. Missy and Lucy occasionally posture over favored spaces in the house, but these incidents are minor and manageable. We’ve not had a whisper of inappropriate behavior from Dubhy toward Missy since his citronella experience – in fact, the two of them occasionally play together. I hope all of your new family introductions go as well as ours did. I proceeded with caution, and my fears were quickly justified.
If your dog runs over to you, don’t send them back “into the fire” because this is usually an indication that your dog needs a break from the interaction. Put away anything that might cause a scuffle—like dog toys, bones, beds, and even empty food bowls. Consider everything, including objects that don’t seem to interest your dog. An old bone might suddenly become valuable again if your new dog takes an interest in it. If you know how to introduce dogs properly, you’ll set them both up to make a good first impression. At first, feed your dog the way you always have done and feed the new dog in a different room.
Many times when moving or getting married, the new partner may bring their pet to add to the family unit. This can be quite a challenge at the beginning and the need for patience is high in this case while the two dogs get acquainted with each other and with the new household. Thus it is important to take everything slow and let all parties involved adjust to the new environment a little better. To introduce your dog to its new home when you move, place its bed, toys, and food dishes inside before your dog arrives, if possible.
Limit him to the first room for at least 24 hours, keeping him in that room with his crate open. Allow the new dog a bit of time to get used to his new surroundings. He will slowly get accustomed to new scents, such as the scents in your house and the scent of the established dog from the t-shirt in his crate. Give positive reinforcement to your dog by giving it a treat or some extra attention.
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