When two dogs meet
It can be a difficult decision to home a second dog; one of the main issues regarding your choice is your first dog. Is it fair on them? Will they feel that their nose has been pushed out of place? If you are sensible about how you introduce them plans should go smoothly.
I have managed to successfully introduce a puppy to an adult dog and a new adult dog to an existing adult dog; both have been very different experiences.
Jassie had been our only dog for 7 years when we decided to home a puppy, my main concern was Jass’s reaction. The one she had was very strange!
She took it upon herself too completely ignore the pup; it was actually quite humorous to witness, as Jass would literally turn her back on Murphy, the puppy, and raise her nose skyward!
She was having nothing to do with him and that was final. I think her way of dealing with his arrival was not to glance at him and pretend that he had never even shown up.
The most important point to remember is that you must never ignore your first dog; okay so you have a new puppy or dog, but your first dog was living with you, and sharing your life way before this new arrival entered your home.
Always attend to the first dog before the new one. When you come home after a walk ensure your first dog is towel dried before the second one. When you feed your dogs make sure the original dog’s bowl is put on the floor first, if they are given treats, the first dog is fed theirs first.
It is paramount that all the family members adhere to the simple rule; first dog is attended to before the second dog, even down to putting their leads on, bathing them, greeting them when you return home and grooming them.
This way your first dog feels that they are still the superior dog, the top dog, they are in charge of the new canine and they are more important to you, their pack leader, than the new arrival.
Now if you are introducing a puppy to an adult dog ensure your dog has ‘time out’ away from the puppy as he/she will undoubtedly find the whole experience exhausting.
Puppies possess endless energy levels but they do burn themselves out fairly quickly, you might find it a good idea to purchase a crate/cage. We did this with Murphy and it helped enormously.
When he was safely housed in his crate Jassie knew that she had the freedom of the house and would not be pestered by the little fur ball, crates are a good idea as they offer everyone a bit of space and also the pup a safe retreat.
Never leave your dog and new puppy alone in the beginning, if you have a crate then you can leave your pup in there and your adult dog in the house. This way the puppy is slowly being introduced to being left. Do not leave the house for long though whilst using the crate as it is unfair on the pup.
When introducing two adult dogs choose a neutral place where neither dog has been before, never introduce them in your house. This is your original dog’s territory and he/she will not take kindly to a strange dog entering the house.
A park or field is fine, ideally where you will be alone without too many other distractions; then basically allow the 2 dogs to meet keeping the second dog on a lead for now.
We first let Murphy and Kc meet in a park, initially Murphy hated the whole concept of another dog in ‘his’ space, this was neutral territory though but Murphy had obviously laid claim to the whole park already! He would run at Kc, not with his teeth out or anything but just warning her really.
When they came home Murphy was bewildered that Kc was still with us, he was hoping that we had lost her on the way back! She tried to encourage him to play by jumping at him. He was not impressed and hid behind an armchair, and then it happened, the moment Murphy changed!
He crept out and nipped Kc on her bum and then skidded back behind the chair, it was so funny to see. From that moment on they have been the best of friends and playmates.
Just be sensible when you are introducing dogs, follow the guidelines and you should be fine. Do not assume that everything will be okay, always keep a watchful eye and never forget that your first dog needs to be first in line for attention.
