Over the holidays, many people bring home a new pet. Puppies are added to families at the end of the year, and although it’s a happy time, it can also be very stressful. Besides potty training, getting your new dog or puppy on a feeding schedule, and making sure everyone in the home is helping out with the new dog, there can be a few problems that come with bringing home a dog. A professional Pinecrest, FL dog walker will be able to help you with this process, so keep reading!

One of the main issues for someone adding a new pet to the home is a pet that already lives in the household. Of course you want everyone to get along, and having some proactive plans in place will definitely help the transition for both pets!

So, what do you do when you already have a pet and bring a new puppy or adult dog home? How do you manage a smooth introduction of the pets that will allow them to be life-long friends? There are a few ways to make the very first meeting a great start to having a happy household with multiple pets.

But first, why might your current dog (or cat) not love your new addition the second you bring him or her home? Shouldn’t all pets at least like each other and want to bond? Why can’t everyone just get along?!

How can a
Pinecrest, FL dog walker help me with this transition?

If you’ve had a pet for a while, the number one reason he won’t immediately like the new dog would be that he is simply territorial. This is a behavior that can cause trouble, so it is best to correct it as soon as possible, or prevent it from happening at all. In order to give your new dog or puppy a safe and happy introduction, here are a few tips:

  1. Keep Pets Separated For Now

There is no need to have a face-to-face intro as soon as you bring home your new dog. Let’s say, for example, you have a senior dog who has been in your home for several years or more. This is HIS house and shoving a new puppy in his face typically will not go over well! Keep you pets separated for a week or so, while they can smell each other from a distance. Separate rooms and crates are very helpful at this time. If you need more than a week, that is totally OK!

2. Introduce The Dogs On Neutral Ground

If possible, introduce your dogs at a park or walk them together before they even meet in the home. This creates a sense of a pack and allows you to see if they get along outside of the home. Let your current dog inside first, and keep your new dog on a leash.

3. Keep Toys And Food Separate

No, you’re not a mean pet parent if you keep toys and treats to a minimum, and/or closely monitor playtime and treats. Why? Well, your current dog may be territorial over his or her toys, and won’t let the newbie play with them. This will cause fights, which you definitely don’t want! As far as food goes, feed them in separate locations and do not allow either dog to sniff around the other dog’s food.

You can introduce the dogs (or other pets) totally force free! Please read HERE for more info on force free methods we use while working with dogs.