Introducing a New Dog into a Multi-Pet Household
By John Woods
Mon, May 16, 2022 at 7:15AM

Introducing a New Dog into a Multi-Pet Household

Do you already have a lot of pets in your home, and are you going to bring a new dog into the house? Arriving at the new residence. Consider all aspects of the process, including how to keep your dogs quiet throughout the first several months of living together.

Introducing a new dog or puppy to an existing family full of pets is critical, yet often people rush to bring the new dog or puppy into the house without giving it time to settle in. It's a common misconception that all the dogs engaged in a fight would resolve their differences on their own. It's important to keep in mind that a newbie has already had to cope with being pulled away from their normal surroundings, going on an unknown journey, meeting new pets and people, and being exposed to an unexpected setting, not to mention having to deal with the resident dog. A dog's reaction to the seemingly random entry of an unexpected stranger into their house may likewise be unfavorable. In other words, what can we do to make sure that the first meetings go as easily and stress-free as possible for all pets concerned? Having said that, initial impressions do matter.

Before they meet

When it comes to a flawless introduction procedure, each case is unique. It's possible for some individuals to visit the new dog or puppy before they bring them home, while others will have to cope with the dog or puppy arriving from a foreign country at a time that isn't convenient for them.

Ideally, you should start with a few scents. Make sure to bring a cloth that you've rubbed all over your current dog to meet the new woofer before you bring them home. Especially emphasis on the face. Allow the potential pup to smell the cloth before deciding to adopt it. Make sure you use a different towel when you stroke the new puppy, so that you don't transfer the aroma of one dog to another. This cannot be comfortable for a species that relies on their sense of smell to guide them through their environment. When you're done with the cloth, bring it back to your own home and let your own dogs smell it 

Allow plenty of time for the current dogs to become accustomed to the new layout before bringing a new dog home and setting up obstacles like baby gates or pens/room separators. 

Briefly describe your pet's breed

Make introductions by type of pet if there are a lot of animals participating. Make sure you introduce each type of pet individually so that you can better regulate the environment and address the specific demands of each animal. Introduce your dogs by size if you have a large number of different breeds and sizes of canines. Smaller breeds may thrill and excite a puppy or tiny breed, while larger dogs may frighten them. 

Bringing the new family member into the fold

First, give the new dog a chance to explore the house on their own, without the presence of the other dog. To help the new dog adjust to their new surroundings, you may either put the other dog in the car or ask someone to take them for a walk. In particular, they'll want to find the exits and the water supply, as well as acquaint themselves with the house's smell profile and overall configuration.

Physical introductions should be performed on neutral ground, such as going for a stroll together, in order to avoid any potential conflict. Otherwise, the garden will suffice. The garden usually has more room than the home does. Space is a dog's best buddy if he or she is nervous or uncertain.

Make Time for Playtime

When a dog is overtired, such continual play might lead to improper behavior. Taking a break from each other helps your pets to recharge and unwind. Create distinct areas for each dog, either in separate rooms or behind a dog gate, so that they may be kept apart. Dogs, like all of us, need a vacation from their household companions.

Keep Calm and Carry On

Dogs can take months to become acclimated to one other as siblings, so be patient with them while they learn to get along. The bond between you and your pets will last a lifetime if you take the time to recognize and appreciate the positive encounters.

Preserving tranquility

Separate the dogs before allowing them access to anything they could consider valuable enough to defend, such as food, chews, or toys, to avoid any potential for resource conflict. The more you know about your current dog's history of aggression toward other dogs, the more significant this is. As a result, you can monitor the dogs' body language to see if they are frightened by being in the presence of a second dog when they have something of value. By encouraging one dog to walk away from the other, you may lessen any symptoms of tension and avoid a frequent human tendency to punish any dog that exhibits any signs of antagonism. Even if this means that the "grumpy dog," as it's known, would link the presence of the other dog with being disciplined, this will just serve to reinforce the dog's unfavorable feelings about the other dog.

A Dog Gate Is Necessary

Dog or baby gates can be used to segregate the new dog from the other pets when they arrive at your home. Keep an eye on them as they cross the fence, rewarding good conduct with tasty food. Keep the pets apart until they show evidence of pleasant interaction and a desire to play together.

Respect the uniqueness of each pet’s situation

When we have more than one dog, we worry about justice. Every dog, on the other hand, has unique demands that must be met on an individual basis. Consistency with each individual should be our first priority. As an example, a dog's age, breed, and other factors all have a role in its care. Some people may be granted access to select rooms or the upper floors, while others aren't allowed. It's possible that some people have access to furnishings or dog beds that others do not. Each one necessitates a certain amount of physical activity. Keep your pets happy by removing the guilt and focusing on maintaining a stable environment for them!

Keep an eye on the food and the sleeping arrangements

Your new dog will appreciate having its own space, with a bed, food dish, and water bowl. In order to prevent your existing dogs from becoming interested and snatching the new dog's food and bed, you may want to keep them apart from one another for a short while. Keep an eye on their water supply, food, and sleeping arrangements to make sure they're getting appropriate nourishment and rest. If your other pet is a cat, consider picking up a feeding station that keeps dogs out.

Consider the fact that pet introductions aren't one-time events that you can swiftly move on to the next one. For the time being, your current pets are unlikely to share your delight about the new member of the family. In order to guarantee your new dog's safety and long-term comfort in their new surroundings, it is just as vital to support them and their needs as it is to gently transition your new dog.

 


Bookmark & Share



User Comments


Be the first to comment on this post below!

Add A Comment