Introducing your new puppy to your resident dog

Introducing Your New Puppy to Your Resident Dog

 

It's a good idea to have both puppy and older dog tired before introducing them.  A tired dog is a good dog!

Always have the older dog on leash for the first meeting so he/she doesn't scare the puppy.  Even an over-exuberant WELCOME! may hurt or scare the puppy.

If you can have two people, it will make the introduction easier.  One person is responsible for one dog, the other person, the other dog.

Do not leave the two of them alone for the first few weeks.  Until you are sure that your older dog will not harm the puppy, they should never be alone together.

Play with them separately for the first few weeks so it doesn't cause competition.  Once the pecking order has been established, you are more likely to have a good play session when both of them are involved.

Expect some growling and even possibly snapping, from your older dog.  This is the normal behavior of a "parent" teaching a young dog manners.  As long as the older dog is not harming the pup, let the relationship develop.  Your pup may even yelp on occasion but as long as the older dog is not breaking the skin, these are only reprimands for being rude. 

Be sure to have an area where the older dog can escape from the puppy.  Your older dog shouldn't have to put up with the puppy 24/7.

Be sure to give your older dog lots of attention.  If everyone only pays attention to the newcomer, animosity can arise.

Your older dog will likely be the boss of the two.  You must maintain this hierarchy to prevent problems later.  This means, your older dog gets his food first, the leash gets put on the older dog first, the older dog is greeted first. Etc.  By continuing this, you are not sending mixed signals to your dogs.  "Everyone in their place, and a place for everyone!"

 

If you have problems or questions, give me a call.

 

Mary Ann