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Introducing Your New
Dog To Your Resident Dog
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Animals
that live in groups, like dogs, establish a social structure within the
group called a dominance hierarchy. This dominance hierarchy serves to
maintain order, reduce conflict and promote cooperation among pack
members. Dogs also establish territories, which they may defend against
intruders or rivals. This social and territorial nature affects their
behavior when a new dog is introduced to their household.
Introduction Techniques
Choose A
Neutral Location: Introduce the dogs in a neutral location so that your
resident dog is less likely to view the newcomer as a territorial
intruder. Each dog should be handled by a separate person. With both
dogs on a leash, take them to an area with which neither is familiar,
such as a park or a neighbor’s yard. If you frequently walk your
resident dog in a park near your house, she may view that park as her
territory, so choose another site that’s unfamiliar to her. We recommend
bringing your resident dog with you to the shelter and introducing the
dogs before adopting the new dog.
Use
Positive Reinforcement: From the first meeting, you want both dogs to
expect "good things" to happen when they’re in each other's presence.
Let them sniff each other, which is normal canine greeting behavior. As
they do, talk to them in a happy, friendly tone of voice - never use a
threatening tone of voice. Don’t allow them to investigate and sniff
each other for a prolonged time, as this may escalate to an aggressive
response. After a short time, get both dogs' attention, and give each
dog a treat in return for obeying a simple command, such as "sit" or
"stay." Take the dogs for a walk and let them sniff and investigate each
other at intervals. Continue with the "happy talk," food rewards and
simple commands.
Be Aware
Of Body Postures: One body posture that indicates things are going well
is a "play-bow." One dog will crouch with her front legs on the ground
and her hind end in the air. This is an invitation to play that usually
elicits friendly behavior from the other dog. Watch carefully for body
postures that indicate an aggressive response, including hair standing
up on the other dog's back, teeth-baring, deep growls, a stiff legged
gait or a prolonged stare. If you see such postures, interrupt the
interaction immediately by calmly and positively getting each dog
interested in something else. For example, both handlers can call their
dogs to them, have them sit or lie down
and reward
each with a treat. The dogs will become interested in the treats which
will prevent the situation from escalating into aggression. Try letting
the dogs interact again, but this time for a shorter time period and/or
at a greater distance from each other.
Taking
The Dogs Home: When the dogs seem to be tolerating each other's presence
without fearful or aggressive responses, and the investigative greeting
behaviors have tapered off, you can take them home. Whether you choose
to take them in the same, or different vehicles, will depend on their
size, how well they ride in the car, how trouble-free the initial
introduction has been and how many dogs are involved.
If you
have more than one resident dog in your household, it may be best to
introduce the resident dogs to the new dog one at a time. Two or more
resident dogs may have a tendency to "gang up" on the newcomer.
Introducing Puppies To Adult Dogs
Puppies
usually pester adult dogs unmercifully. Before the age of four months,
puppies may not recognize subtle body postures from adult dogs signaling
that they’ve had enough. Well-socialized adult dogs with good
temperaments may set limits with puppies with a growl or snarl. These
behaviors are normal and should be allowed. Adult dogs that aren’t
well-socialized, or that have a history of fighting with other dogs, may
attempt to set limits with more aggressive behaviors, such as biting,
which could harm the puppy. For this reason, a puppy shouldn’t be left
alone with an adult dog until you’re confident the puppy isn’t in any
danger. Be sure to give the adult dog some quiet time away from the
puppy, and perhaps, some individual attention as described above.
When To
Get Help
If the
introduction of a new dog to a household doesn’t go smoothly, contact a
professional animal behaviorist immediately. Dogs can be severely
injured in fights, and the longer the problem continues, the harder it
can be to resolve. Conflicts between dogs in the same family can often
be resolved with professional help. Punishment won’t work and could make
things worse.
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Lewis Clark Animal Shelter
