Getting a new dog is always a great experience! Welcoming a new furry member of the family always brings a special kind of warmth to an animal lover’s heart. However, the process of acclimating a new dog to your home is often difficult when other furry family members share the space.
With dogs, having a good first impression matters. If you have ever introduced two dogs to one another before, you will know how essential it is for the two to hit it off in the beginning. Here is a guide on what you can do to set both dogs up for success.
Proper Steps You Can Take to Introduce Dogs the Right Way
Keep in mind that there is a right and wrong way to introduce dogs to each other. If you are not able to properly get the dogs to be aware of each other in a positive way, it may become very difficult for you to get a second opportunity to do this. Getting it right the first time is paramount. Here are a few tips to make sure you are able to accomplish this on your first attempt:
1 - Use Neutral Ground
It is a good idea for you to bring both dogs to a neutral space for their first encounter. Having them meet in your home may not be such a good idea because the resident dog will have already claimed their ground and consider it to be their territory. Having them meet on neutral ground such as a park is a much better idea.
2 - Look for Positive Body Language from Your Dogs
Look for wagging tails and playful jumps from your dogs. It will mean that they are excited to meet their new friend. Aggressive behavior such as snarls or tails at alert may indicate that it’s best to put off having them interact for the time being.
3 - Walk Them Together
Have your dogs get used to being in each other’s company by taking walks with them together. They will learn to trust each other as well as get used to each other’s scent as time passes and they interact more.
4 - Allow Them to Interact
Allow your dogs to get to know each other by having them play together. When they have been interacting with each other for a few days, it may be a good idea to have them interact off leash. They may begin playing together sooner than you think!
Conclusion
Being a fur parent is not always rainbows and butterflies. Even if most of the time, you will have great experiences and make wonderful memories with your dogs, sometimes you have to exercise caution and patience, especially when you introduce your dogs to one another. This is especially true if you already have a resident dog who has been living with you when you get a new dog. However, following the tips mentioned above will ensure that your dogs will grow to like each other and will develop a kinship in the long run.
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