While the joy of dog ownership/fostering grows with each new 'family' member you add, the challenges of managing the household can also increase. Read on for tips for choosing and integrating new dogs into your existing pack.
Temperament
Select a breed and temperament (personality) that will complement your resident dog. Remember, temperament has nothing to do with a dog's size, breed or upbringing—temperament is something innate in a dog. A dog's temperament has a lot to do with how easily he can be trained, and while good training can improve a dog's behavior, it cannot change a dog's temperament.
If you have an energetic dog, choose a second dog that is also energetic, so the two can play together and keep up with each other. If you have an older or more laid-back dog, avoid getting an exuberant puppy or a very active breed of dog.
Introducing a New Dog to Your Canine Household
Bringing a new dog into the family is an exciting time for everyone but can create stress for your resident canine. Understanding how to manage dog introductions can help ensure a lifetime of harmony for all.
- First, introduce the dogs in a neutral location that is unfamiliar to both dogs. Have each dog on a loosely held six-foot leash, handled by two different people. Stay relaxed so the dogs don't pick up on any tension you might be feeling.
- Don't force an interaction between the dogs. Just walk them near one another for a few minutes. It is fine if the dogs ignore each other. Stay upbeat, and give them time to get comfortable with the situation.
- Next, allow the dogs to sniff each other briefly. If they show positive signs, praise them, and then lead them away from each other. Do several brief interactions.
Set reasonable goals. Remember and respect that your resident dog may perceive the new dog to be encroaching on his established territory, which can be very stressful.
- Proceed slowly and calmly. Slow-paced introductions may help prevent any fear-based or aggressive reactions from developing. Bad behaviors not reigned in from the start can become habit and be very hard to change.
- Before you bring the new dog home, rub him with a cloth. Take the cloth to your home to allow your resident dog to sniff it, and then place it where the new dog will be sleeping.
- Pick up pet toys, food bowls, beds, etc., before you bring the new dog into the house. This prevents any tiffs over prized possessions. You can return the resident dog's toys to him in a few weeks and give the new dog some toys of his own.
- Put your current dog in a separate area of your home, and then walk the new dog on a leash throughout your home to show him where he will sleep and eat, where the other pets sleep and eat, etc.
- If you have more than one resident dog, introduce each one to the new dog one at a time to prevent the group from overwhelming the newcomer.
- Stay in control of the introduction. If you are not sure how your pet will react, take the necessary precautions to keep him (and you) safe.
Managing the New Dog in Your Home
- Establish boundaries. Use baby gates and close off rooms and areas while all the pets acclimate to the new situation. This way they can see and get used to one another. Allow the resident dog to roam the house, while confining the new dog behind a barrier at first.
- Never leave new dogs unattended. When dogs are getting acquainted, the situation can change suddenly.
- Create separate areas for each dog's eating/sleeping activities. This helps keep the resident dog from feeling his territory is being threatened. Pick up food bowls after feeding time, and keep the dogs confined in separate areas of your home any time you are away or can't watch them.
- Supervise doggie playtime to prevent the dogs from getting overexcited and possibly injuring one another. If one dog begins to bully or growl at the other, interrupt their play and separate them for a few minutes. Praise them when they are playing well together.
- If you are walking your two dogs at the same time, walk both dogs on one side, with the more confident dog on the outside. This puts the other dog in the middle, a natural position for the less influential dog to be protected by the leaders.
- Avoid letting the dogs maintain eye contact with one another, which can be a preamble for more aggressive action. If one dog begins to stare at another, command the staring dog to sit or lie down, to break his concentrated gaze. After the situation is defused, release the dog from the command.
Feeding Time
Sharing is not a canine trait. Food is vital for survival, so food-guarding is instinctive. Take extra care to be wary around your dogs at feeding time, as bad feeding habits can lead to fights.
- Do not allow the dogs to steal from one another's bowls.
- Pick up the food bowls after the dogs have eaten.
- To avoid mealtime issues, feed the dogs in separate areas or rooms, or in their crates. Feeding separately also discourages dogs from gulping food down too quickly. Their digestion will improve markedly if they feel safe enough to take their time over their food.
- Old and ailing dogs in particular should be allowed to eat in peace.
Toys and Other 'High-value' Items
Being fair-minded and treating all dogs equally will go a long way toward ensuring a harmonious household.
- Be sure to have duplicates of toys—including brain-stimulating puzzle toys like The GameChanger or the Buster Cube®—dog beds, food dishes, etc., to keep everyone content and to decrease occurrences of resource-guarding behavior.
- Give 'high-value' toys—ones the dogs really covet, such as bones or furry squeaky toys—only when the dogs are alone, such as in their crates. Put the items away after the dogs are released from their crates.
Crates
No matter how many dogs are in your family, a crate (or pet carrier) provides a natural safe haven for a dog and helps him feel secure.
- Use separate crates. Be sure each dog has his own crate and bedding.
- Keep all the crates in the same area or room.
- If you need to set up boundaries at any time, direct the dogs to go to their crates, even if it is only one dog that is acting naughty or anxious. While they may not like being separated from you, they will each feel secure.
Work on making the dogs feel cared for individually so that they will not want to compete with each other. Be sure each dog gets equal helpings of your love and affection, and plenty of time for exercise and training.
Remember to devote ample time to each dog individually for both training and play. If one dog is much older or less energetic than the other, be sure you give him time and space to himself so he can rest and feel secure.
Be mindful of all your dogs' body language. Staring, in particular, can be a trigger that will start a fight. Diffuse the situation by sending both dogs to their crates.