familyservicehub When you decide to adopt another dog, it’s best to introduce them as slowly as you can. Sara McLoudrey suggests a three-part introduction process, including: Introductions and interactions, as well as cohabitation.
Slowly and steadily: Introducing your current dog to a new dog
Introductions (Step 1)
Introductions are not the same as interactions!
It’s best to go slow and steady in a neutral place. To ensure that everything goes smoothly, you should also work on a separation in the house. This may take longer than expected. It may be necessary to keep the dogs separated by a baby gate between months.
Keep it slow if things look good. Even if things look bad, you should still take it slowly.
If your dogs seem to be ready to interact, they may show loose body language or low arousal. They might also display calm curiosity when crossing a barrier.
Step 2: Interactions
When you are confident that your dog is ready to interact with other dogs, you can start facilitating safe interactions.
The first interaction could be: parallel walks, where dogs don’t necessarily greet each other, but are able to see each other in different settings. You can play games with your dogs and reward them when they wait politely for treats. You can also interact with your dogs while their leashes drag. You can then take control of the situation if it starts to get out of hand.
Slow down your interactions if you see these signs
- Fixation or staring each other
- Vocalization (barking the other dog).
- Jumping excessively (a dog might start jumping at you to try and get away from the situation).
- Avoidance or turning away (dogs avoiding one another)
Step 3: You have successfully completed the Cohabitation Process
You’re ready for the next step once you have had enough positive interactions. You’ll want to always supervise the dogs. You are now proactively managing your dog and prepared to send them to safety if they have had too much.
Maintenance of multi-dog households
If you have more than one dog in your household, then:
- Set meal times
- Place multiple water bowls around the house
- Resting areas for each dog
- Each dog has a sleeping space
You may encounter problems with your dog in certain areas of your home
What to watch out for when you and your dog are first cohabiting:
- Spaces that are too small (Chairs and tables in doorways, corners of kitchens, kitchens, hallways, etc.)
- Visitors + Deliveries (Can raise arousal levels)
- Resources (Beds, chews, toys, space, people)
- Dog play
- People who perform exciting actions (kids or people upset)
- Cars
- Changes to the home
Always take your time and do things right at the start. Being proactive at the start is much easier than trying to fix damaged relationships.