Bringing a new dog into the household with other dogs is possible. There are several things you can do to make the transition more comfortable for all parties:
- Introduce animals to each other gradually. They shouldn´t initially spend unsupervised time together. Confine the new pet in a safe, neutral place. Provide food, water, toys, and attention to the confined pup. Once you can have everybody in the same room for short periods of time, try feeding them together out of their own bowls. If the pets get along, be sure to praise all of them and be liberal with the treats.
- If dogs are crate-trained, you may be able to keep the crates in the same room, but away from each other. This will allow the dogs to smell each other and see that they both are getting attention from the more important pack member, you.
- Another terrific idea is to have the dogs meet at a neutral site, such as a park. Have someone else handle the new dog. Your current dog will have the opportunity to meet the new pup without having the additional stress of territory, pack protection, or insecurity.
- If dogs are crate-trained, you may be able to keep the crates in the same room, but away from each other. This will allow the dogs to smell each other and see that they both are getting attention from the more important pack member, you.
You can introduce a new pet into the house. You need to be sure that all pets are getting equal attention and love from you, which they believe is the big prize. In addition, you should try not to make a big deal about there being an extra dog in the house. Simply sticking to your normal routines will assist your original pet with adjusting to the new stranger.
You need to accept that they may not be pals at first, or ever. As long as they can tolerate each other, they will accept the other as a pack member. For your family´s part, you need to be sure that neither pet is given the opportunity to assume pack leadership.
