Introducing another dog into the house is an exciting time for any family. But how can you make sure they get along with your existing four-legged friend? Follow thesetop tips for successfully introducing a second dog, for happy fur-families.
You’ve been dreaming and planning for months, maybe years, and finally, you are ready to expand your pack. Having a second dog can bring so many benefits to a household, including the extra company for your existing pets. But how can you make sure your new dog gets along with your current fur-friend?
Here are the do’s and don’t of introducing a second dog to your home.
When should you introduce a second dog? This is an important question for owners to consider, because do you think your current dog is in the right place for a playmate? If your pooch has any underlying behavioral issues, now might not be the best timing for a new dog.
Sometimes new additions can heighten this behavior, or even start to mirror it. So you’ll have double the trouble! So ensure your dog is happy, healthy, and feeling super secure before welcoming a new friend.
It would be hard to become best pals with someone completely different to you, right? So making it easy for your dog to fall in love with a new furry addition is a smart move.
Consider the following:
It would be hard to become best pals with someone completely different to you, right? So making it easy for your dog to fall in love with a new furry addition is a smart move.
Consider the following:
Once you’ve chosen the perfect pal for your home, ensure they get the best start possible as part of your pack by taking things slowly.
How to introduce a second dog correctly can differ depending on the new dog’s background, but it’s usually best to start introductions outside of the living areas. This way you can start on neutral ground. A local park is a great place to begin.
It’s best to make sure each dog has a handler, so ask a friend or family member to help you. Keep the dogs on their leashes and see how they react to each other from a distance. If both dogs are happy to see each other, allow them to settle any initial excitement before moving forward. You can do this by walking near or around the other dog for a little while, far enough apart so the dogs can’t interact yet.
If they remain happy, start a calm approach. Let the dogs sniff each other and get acquainted. If there’s any stiffness or uncomfortable body language, simply back up and try again later on. If they start to play, seem uninterested, or aren’t too bothered - these are all great signs. Move on to letting them interact off-leash, before bringing them back to your home together.
Keep a close eye on your new pair for the first 24 hours. For the first week, it’s a good idea to have some time off work or away from other responsibilities, to ensure you can focus on the ongoing success of the new addition.
Here’s how to keep the bond growing strong in those early days:
Keep a close eye on your new pair for the first 24 hours. For the first week, it’s a good idea to have some time off work or away from other responsibilities, to ensure you can focus on the ongoing success of the new addition.
Here’s how to keep the bond growing strong in those early days:
After this initial period, you can start to relax your close observation as the dogs adjust. Once your dogs begin to feel safe with one another, their true personalities will begin to shine - which is always the best feeling in the world.
With this guide, you’ll be on your way to a happy fur family. Let us know how your new addition settles in, as we’d love to know!