If you like dogs, you will probably want to buy another one sooner or later. While bringing home a new playmate is always an exciting time for you, it can be stressful and stressful for pets already living in the family. How you introduce your new dog can be the difference between a successful long-term relationship or a real disaster. Likewise, the new dog will likely feel insecure and confused in his new environment. Introducing him into the house with proper attention can help him build his self-esteem.
Steps
Part 1 of 7: Preparing to Have the New Dog
Step 1. Obtain the necessary materials and equipment for the new dog
You must provide him with food and water in personal bowls, a new kennel, collar, leash and a pet carrier. Your new friend should not eat or drink from the same containers as other members of your pet family. Likewise, he shouldn't sleep in another dog's kennel.
Step 2. Get absorbent puppy cloths
These cloths are moisture-absorbing mats that you can place on the floor or in the carrier. Generally they are used when the dog has "accidents" during the period of adaptation and training to do their own needs outside the home.
It can be helpful to have these absorbent cloths available, even if the new dog is not a puppy
Step 3. Choose an area that the newcomer can use as a "bathroom"
The dog needs an outdoor place where he can do his business; if you already have another dog, it may be in the same area used by the other animal. Find a spot in the garden or a nearby area that is grassy. Make it a point to always use this area so your dog learns to recognize this spot as a "toilet" where he can satisfy his needs when he goes out.
Part 2 of 7: Preparing to Bring the New Dog Home
Step 1. Make an old T-shirt with your scent for each dog
A few days before the pet's expected arrival, wear a shirt for a day, this way the garment absorbs your scent and gives it to the dog who already lives with you. The next day, wear another one to impregnate the one with your scent as well to give it to the new dog. The goal of this procedure is to have on each shirt your smell mixed with that of the new dog and that already in the house.
- If you wish, you can also sleep in your shirt to absorb your smell even more.
- Make sure you get your clothes ready a day or two earlier than when you want to give them to the animals.
Step 2. Rub a shirt on the body of the dog already in the family
Take one of the t-shirts you have worn and rub it on the dog already in the house. You can also decide to put the garment in its kennel for one night.
Step 3. Give the other shirt to the breeder or kennel manager where you plan to get the dog
Ask the clerk or vendor to put your t-shirt in the dog's kennel for at least one night. This will help him get comfortable with your scent.
Step 4. Replace clothing
Now reverse the shirts, giving the dog already in the house the shirt that was in the new dog's bed for one night, and vice versa. In this way the two dogs begin to get used to each other even to their smells before starting to live together. Since these animals communicate through smell, it's helpful for them to learn to recognize each other's smells and associate them with yours.
Step 5. Use a dog pheromone spray
A pheromone spray diffuser (DAP), such as Adaptil, can facilitate the odor recognition process. This device can be purchased at your vet's office or at major pet stores. The DAP contains a synthetic version of the pheromone emitted by the mother dog who feeds the puppies to make them feel safe and happy.
If you wish, you can also spray the shirt with the DAP at each stage, giving the first dog the overnight garment, then spraying it again when transferred to the second dog
Step 6. Get a blanket that smells familiar to the dog
If you have decided to adopt a puppy, you should leave him something that smells familiar to him. When you pick up the puppy, ask the kennel attendant to leave you a blanket that smells like the puppy's mother or siblings and put it in the crate with your new friend. This will still make him feel pampered and in a familiar environment.
Step 7. Set up his cage
The new dog needs a space to feel safe. Choose a room that contains the pet carrier, food and water bowls, and absorbent cloths. Put some cloths and fabrics in the cage to prepare the bed for the night. Also spread a blanket over the roof so that the cage becomes a dark and secluded den.
- If you can get it, throw in a blanket with a familiar scent too.
- Also add the shirt with your smell and that of the dog already in the house. This will help him blend the smells together and create an association between the familiar and the new.
Part 3 of 7: Introducing Adult Dogs to a Neutral Territory
Step 1. Consider taking the dogs to the park
Dogs, especially when they are adults, are able to settle better if they are initially introduced to neutral territory away from home. Many kennels suggest this technique to allow the animals to become familiar with the new family and to understand if the animals get along well with each other. Plan for this meeting to take place a few days before the expected arrival date of the new future family member.
- Choose a park you don't usually go to so your dog doesn't exhibit territorial behavior.
- This experience is particularly important in order to carefully evaluate the compatibility between the different animals before making a final decision whether to adopt the new dog.
Step 2. Ask a friend to take the new dog for a walk
A kennel attendant or pet owner should take him to the same park where you are with your pet. Plan to reach the meeting place at the same time, so that the dogs can get to know and interact with each other.
Step 3. Let the dogs meet
Go to the park with your furry friend, as if it were just a normal walk and let him meet the other specimen. The meeting in neutral territory lowers any level of conflict or tension, because neither of them has something to defend.
- Ideally, dogs should find themselves in this type of situation at least a couple of times before the newcomer joins the family.
- If the two get along well and play together in the park, it is likely that they will have a good relationship even when they are in the same house and this bodes well for their future relationship. On the contrary, however, if you see that they can't stand each other at first sight, you are already aware that a personality clash will likely occur. If this is the case, you should reevaluate the idea of getting that particular dog.
Step 4. Reward the good behavior of the dog already in the family
Give him some positive reinforcement with a treat or a little extra attention. You should always talk to your dog before introducing a new pet into the house.
Part 4 of 7: Helping the New Dog Settle Home in the First 24 Hours
Step 1. Take your new furry friend to the area set up as his "bathroom"
When you get home, take him straight to the place you want him to use for his needs. This is the first step in training him to leave the house when he has to satisfy his bodily needs.
Step 2. Show the cage to the new dog
Take him to his carrier and put him inside. However, leave the door open so that he can come out if he wishes.
Step 3. Keep the new family member isolated for the first 24 hours
When you bring a new pet home, you need to gradually introduce it into the rooms of the house. During the first day you have to limit the space to a single room and leave it there with the cage open. Give him some time to get used to his new home. Gradually it will begin to become familiar with the new smells, such as those of the house and of the dog already present thanks to the previously prepared t-shirt (as already described) that you will have put in the carrier.
Don't give him a chance to move around the house right away, he'll be overwhelmed
Step 4. Praise your new four-legged friend
Give him positive reinforcement by telling him he is a good dog. Caress him and scratch him behind the ears.
Step 5. Take him to the bathroom every two to three hours
Make sure he knows where to go when he needs to evacuate. Accompany him to his "toilet" frequently during the first 24 hours.
Don't give too much weight if she gets dirty around the house on the first day. The new dog still needs to be trained to go out and has to figure out where to go. Hence, it is important to take him to his bathroom area quite often. Should an accident occur, simply ignore his behavior. Punishing him would only create confusion and distress
Step 6. Keep the cage available
After each time he has gone to the bathroom, take him back to the carrier. This will help him feel safe and not overwhelmed by the newness of the new home.
Part 5 of 7: Let the New Dog Explore the House
Step 1. Allow him to familiarize himself with one room at a time
Starting on the second day, start introducing him to a new room every day. Do not give him the opportunity to move around the entire house right away, otherwise he would feel too disoriented.
Step 2. Allow him to scan and learn about the new rooms for 20 minutes
If he seems curious, you can start showing him the other places, one at a time. Take him to each new room and let him explore it for about 20 minutes.
- If he seems uncomfortable, just show him one room for a couple of days.
- In any case, make sure that he can always return to his cage, at any time.
Step 3. Continue the process of acclimating the house by taking breaks to take him out to fulfill his needs
After exploring a room for 20 minutes, allow him to go to his bathroom. This increases the likelihood that he associates his needs with the external environment and helps him to assimilate this habit.
Step 4. Praise your faithful friend
Give him positive reinforcement by telling him he is a good dog. Give him a pat and scratch behind his ears.
Step 5. Return him to his cage
After each exploration session and a bathroom stop, take him back to his carrier. This will help him feel safe and not too confused.
Step 6. Ignore any incidents during the first few days
Your new friend needs some time to get used to going out to do their business and needs to figure out where to go. Your task to help him with this is to take him to the designated area as often as possible. If it gets dirty in your house, just ignore it. If you punish him, you do nothing but create confusion and anguish for him.
Part 6 of 7: Introducing the New Dog to the One Already in the Family
Step 1. Introduce the family dog to your new furry friend's place
Once the new dog has spent at least 24 hours in the house, you can start getting him closer to the pet already present, so that they begin to get to know each other. To do this, leave the new dog in its cage, close the door and bring the other animal into the room to let him smell the environment.
Do not indicate the presence of the new dog, wait for him to find it himself, as he will surely be able to smell it and will come across the carrier with the new friend
Step 2. Let the two animals interact for about 20 minutes
Give them this time to get to know each other through the bars of the carrier and at the end get the dog out of the room. At this point, get the new dog out of the cage and take him to his toilet area.
Step 3. Reward the old dog's behavior
If you see that he behaves positively and approaches the new family member in a friendly way, reward him with a treat.
Do your best to ignore the new dog during this time, so the "old" one doesn't get jealous. Always contact him first. During the first few days, only praise the new dog when the other dog is not around. Give him some positive reinforcement by telling him he's a good dog. Give him a pat and scratch behind his ears
Step 4. Repeat this process of meeting the two animals several times a day
Gradually they will begin to get used to each other. Continue these steps for a few days.
Part 7 of 7: Increase the Interaction Time Between Dogs
Step 1. Put a leash on the new dog
When the two animals have had a chance to get to know each other a little, make them feel even more comfortable by taking the new dog out of the cage and putting him on a leash. Pay attention to their mutual behaviors. The dog already in the family may show one of the following reactions: accept the new dog and play with him; treat him with detachment or growl and threaten him. Give them about 5 minutes to interact.
- It is important to leash the new dog during these first encounters. If he were to chase the other into his territory, it is very likely that the old dog would not accept the newcomer.
- Once you have spent some time together, remove the dog from the house and take the new dog outside to the bathroom area.
Step 2. Gradually increase the contact time between the two animals
Based on their reactions, gradually extend these moments of getting to know each other up to about 20 minutes. After each session, take the already acclimatized dog out of the room and take the new one to its "toilet".
If necessary, proceed more slowly through this phase of getting to know each other
Step 3. Start walking them together
While the two dogs get used to each other, it extends the moments of coexistence beyond 20 minutes, taking them for a walk together.
When getting ready to go for a walk, make sure you always put the leash on the already family dog first and that he walks out the front door before the new arrival. This way he is less likely to want to challenge the new guest if he is certain that he is the best
Step 4. Monitor your loyal friends constantly
Keep an eye on both of them when they are together. However, don't be overly alarmed if the already acclimatized dog growls. Even if he growls or shows signs of aggression, he is very unlikely to hurt the new guest, but he is more likely to just protest in his own way and then walk away in disgust. Either way, be sure to check them all the time until you are really sure they are used to each other.
Step 5. Keep the new dog away from each other's things
To avoid triggering the old dog's territorial instinct, do not allow the new guest to eat or drink from his bowls and prevent him from playing with the former's objects.
Step 6. Ignore accidents in the first few days
During the early days of adapting to the environment, the new dog still needs to be trained to go out to do his business and is still learning; so take it out often to the area set up for that purpose. If he accidentally gets dirty in the house, you have to ignore the behavior; if you punish him, you only cause him confusion and distress.
