Bringing home a new dog or puppy can be an exciting and fun time. There is no doubt that his current dog already considers himself a member of his family, so he expects nothing less from his new arrival. However, it is important to remember that dogs are pack animals and have a very different mindset than humans. We can easily welcome a new human family member or friend into our homes, but dogs can become territorial or even nervous in such a situation.
The Anatomy of a Pack
Because dogs are pack animals, ranges must be established. In the wild, dogs can run in packs of up to 15. Each pack must have a leader. They are in charge of protecting the herd and controlling the resources. How do dog packs establish a leader? In the wild, dogs often fight for position. The leader is the “alpha” male or female and second in line is the “beta” male or female. The most submissive members are called omega. The alpha male or female eats first, gets the first selection of mates, and claims the best resting areas. Every time a new member is introduced to the pack, the ranks must be reset. This is why so many dog fights occur when a new dog or puppy is introduced to a resident dog and why having a strong human pack leader is so important.
Introducing your new dog to your current pet
Introducing your new dog to your current dog can be a potentially dangerous situation if not handled properly. You can’t expect, or assume, that things will go smoothly between him or her and her current dog. Many people believe that you have to let the dogs work things out between themselves. Sure this works sometimes, but when it goes wrong, it can go really wrong. Enlist a friend or family member to help you with the introduction, and try the following technique to get the two puppies familiar.
Start in unknown territory. The initial meeting should take place outside the home and in an unfamiliar area. Parks are great for this because there are so many distractions and smells. Dogs can also roam if they prefer not to be near each other. The idea here is to prevent the resident dog from becoming territorial. A puppy will usually adopt a submissive position, such as lying on its back or rolling over. This allows the adult dog to investigate the puppy and see what it is about. Two adult dogs may act a little differently. Let the two of you sniff each other and pay close attention to your body language. Try not to let them look at or smell each other for too long, as this could turn into a fight. After a brief introduction, get each dog’s attention and give them a simple command (“sit” or “stay”). Once the command is obeyed, give them a treat.
walk together. If the initial introduction goes well, try walking together. Be aware of their behavior and only allow them to sniff each other at intervals. Make sure your tone of voice is positive and continue to use the command/reward system.
Watch body posture. We can’t talk directly to our dogs, so knowing what their body language indicates is very important. In many ways, it is the only way we can know what our dogs are thinking or what their mindset is. If your resident dog takes a play bow, this is a great sign. He or she is inviting the new dog to play. If the new dog engages in this behavior, monitor how the resident pet reacts. Watch for any warning signs of aggression. This includes hair standing on end, teeth showing, growing, or staring. If you notice any of these signs, separate them, draw each dog’s attention and divert his interest in another direction. Give them a simple command and reward them for following that command. Continue to introduce them to each other at short intervals until those aggressive signs stop.
bring the dogs home. If the presentation goes well, you can take the dogs home. Always, always watch your behavior. If you notice any signs of aggression, separate the two. You can put one in a box and one in a separate room, if needed. Be sure to stick to the same routine you had before the new dog came home. This means keeping the same meal times, walks, etc.
If you are having trouble getting your new dog familiar with your resident dog, it may be best to seek the advice of a professional. They are experienced in this area and can help resolve any issues you are experiencing.
