Introducing Dogs
This post is a guide on how to successfully introduce a new dog to your household. It can be used when introducing a new foster or rescue dog with unknown background into your home. You can use it for reactive dogs as well, but have extra safety measures in place, like muzzles, and move forward at a slower pace.
During the process of integrating the dogs, always keep the big picture in mind - It takes much longer to fix a problem than it does to prevent it from happening in the first place. I don’t want you to be walking around in constant fear of a fight happening, but I want you to be aware of things that could trigger a fight, so that you can prevent it from happening, and understand the situation if it does happen.
1. The first step is co-existence
The most important thing is – don’t push the dogs. The dogs DO NOT have to like each other right now. Give the dogs time to get to know each other, and to just get used to each other’s presence. They DO NOT have to interact at this point, and they might not be ready for it. Do not leave the dogs to their own devices, don’t let them mingle or play. Simply give them time to get used to being around each other.
2. Don’t let them “sort it out”
The second most important thing, primarily because it is such a common misconception, is to not make the dogs “sort it out” between themselves. Some people will recommend you to let the dogs have a squabble to work out any tension. If the dogs get into a fight, they will only have learnt that you cannot protect them, nor control the other dog, which will force them to take things into their own hands next time – which does not predict a good outcome. Once the dogs have fought, the new association they have with one another may make it much more difficult to help them develop a peaceful relationship.
3. Remove all resources
Resources can be sources of conflict. In the future, the dogs may be ok with free access to resources – but don’t jinx it early on. To set the dogs up for success, remove everything that could give the dogs a reason to fight. Things like toys, bones, and food must be lifted and kept away. Using this approach will also make it easier for you to incorporate food and toys in training. Remove all situations that could cause one of the dogs to guard. For now, do not allow the dogs up on furniture, or into people’s personal space.
4. Make them feel safe
Another thing that could cause conflict is the other dog’s behaviour or emotional disposition. For example, if you have a nervous and insecure dog, the other dog’s behaviour could cause the nervous dog to feel threatened or unsafe, and feel the need to defend itself – resulting in a fight. If you have a more confident dog, but who hasn’t got the best social skills, it could feel the need to control the other dog’s behaviour – again, resulting in a fight. It is your job to advocate for both dogs and make them feel protected and safe.
5. Good behaviour
Two common things that can cause a dog to feel defensive or controlling is the other dog acting overexcited or out of control. While the dogs are getting to know each other, it can often help if you don’t allow the dogs to be excited, hyper or pushy in the presence of each other. Instead, try to keep the dogs calm and polite.
If you know your dog gets excited in certain situations, or if your dog does not listen to you, work with both dogs individually until they reach a level of obedience where you are always able to control them. For example, have one dog crated while you are training the other one, and then swap them over to do the opposite. Having one dog watching you work with the other dog can help it build trust in you and accelerate learning.
5. Have a plan
Try to prevent unwanted behaviour rather than waiting until the behaviour has already happened. The best way to do this is to have a clear plan. Set up a structured routine for your day that makes it easy to put the training into place. I always recommend taking the dogs for a long walk first thing in the morning. This will help drain their energy and prevent any built up frustration. Outside time is for activities and exercise, and indoor time should be all about calmness. If you allow the dogs to move around in the house the lack of space can cause the dogs to feel crowded which creates tension. When they are indoors, teach them to stay in their beds, or in an open crate. Don’t let the dogs roam freely. Your home should be like a relaxing spa resort where the dogs feel comfortable and safe. To help control the dogs inside your home, you can have the dogs dragging leashes.
6. Same rules for everyone
Consistently reinforcing rules creates predictability, improves communication, and helps build trust and respect in the dogs. Create rules that will help you be successful with your training. The most basic structure that we reinforce with all our dogs is making them sit calmly and give eye contact before food, while putting leash and collar on/off, and before any threshold. Check out our other training posts for more ideas!
7. The Walk
The walk is a really important activity for the dogs to bond, and gives you plenty of opportunities to provide protection, making everyone feel safe, and direction, by applying a set of rules. In the beginning, I would restrict off leash time (and no crazy running around). Both dogs should be on short leashes and should be walking by your side without pulling, sniffing, or marking. You release the dogs for sniff and pee breaks. If there is any tension between the dogs, stick to parallel walking. So, one dog on each side, and both dogs’ heads turned forward in order to keep it as non-confrontational as possible. Never let the dogs meet face to face. No eyeballing each other or other people or animals is allowed.
8. Safety first
Never leave the dogs unsupervised. If you are taking a shower, popping to the shops, or you just feel tired and not in a mindset to work with the dogs – crate them! Even once you are able to give them more freedom in the house and they are getting used to each other, never leave them out alone. When you are not present, there are too many things that could go wrong, and external influences that could trigger excitement and a fight, like someone ringing the doorbell, a dog barking outside… Don’t risk it!
9. Go Slow
Give the dogs time. A lot of time. And then slowly, slowly give them more freedom, a tiny little bit at a time. Watch your dogs closely to see that they are still comfortable and that they don’t seem to be sliding towards any bad decision making. How much time they will need will depend on the individual dogs. I cannot say it enough - It takes much longer trying to fix a problem than it does to prevent it from happening in the first place.
