Integrating a new dog into a household with an existing dog can be difficult, but most dogs successfully make the transition easier if given the right kind of guidance from the start. Peaceful coexistence can be achieved in a number of ways, including monitoring the interactions of both dogs with one another and reducing situational and environmental stress.
Remove the trigger
Before you bring your new dog home, remove any triggers that could create tension between them, such as food, treats, or toys. This will reduce the need for both dogs to compete for resources and avoid the location surveillance that is common in households with multiple dogs.
Start outside the home
If you can, introduce your existing dog to the new dog outdoors and in neutral territory. The more space both dogs have to either interact or distance and explore, the better. There are more interesting things to do outside than at home, and distractions allow both dogs to focus on something else instead of being forced to interact.
Keep the dogs on the leash until they are comfortable, then give them some time to spot the leash or play before you bring them inside. Give your new dog the chance to discover their new surroundings with or without the other dog.
Teach a good scenario
If your existing dog is uncomfortable with the newcomer, create a classroom scenario where the presence of the new dog means good is happening to your existing dog. Stand in the room with your existing dog and have a friend or family member walk into the room with the new dog. When the dog is brought into the room, give praise, quality treats, or play a game with your existing dog. Also, tell your new dog how good they are so that both of them get positive attention in the other’s presence.
Relaxed, fluent body language and the willingness to socialize with each other show that the technology was successful.
Keep resources separate
Until you have a clearer picture of how well they can protect resources, toys, chews, and meals should only be given when the dogs are separated. (These can also be favorite spots like dog beds.) If your new dog is naturally curious, they may want to examine your existing dog’s food bowl or share the toys they chew. This is likely to lead to a disagreement that could escalate to something more serious.
It is important that both dogs feel safe with their resources around each other. Identifying triggers and minimizing the stress on them prevents challenges from progressing.
Simply into the time together
Walking the dogs together enables them to have positive experiences in the presence of the other. The new dog may need less exercise than your existing dog initially, but taking a little walk each day will help build stamina and strengthen the bond between them.
Start by teaching your new dog life skills and pointers to follow while giving your existing dog a refresher course. Teach each dog separately first before you get them to do the exercises together, and be sure that the rewards you use in teaching don’t create tension between them.
Keep resources like toys separate. Your new dog may want to review your existing dog’s toys, which could lead to serious disagreements. © CBCK-Christine | Getty Images
Manage interactions
Management is just as important to keeping calm, and baby gates are very effective at giving space and time to every dog - important in any multi-dog household. If your dogs are uncomfortable, goals can also have the opposite effect, adding to tension. If this happens, move your dogs to separate rooms where they cannot see each other and only let them interact if they are safe and have space around them, e.g. B. in your garden.
Be prepared and stay sensitive
Be prepared for the occasional quarrel that happens even between best friends. Hopefully these will only be a few if you take care not to expose either dog to a situation that is causing discomfort.
If your existing dog does not adapt to the new dog in a timely manner, options for relocating the new dog may need to be considered. However, this can be avoided if you carefully apply all teaching and management practices so that both dogs can live together peacefully in a stress-free environment. Keep in mind that your existing dog may not have had much say in choosing his new friend, so be sensitive to the adjustments he will have to make to accommodate the changes you will all have to make when you get a new one Bring the dog into the house.
