Here's How To Introduce Your New Dog To Your First Dog!

Meeting new people and making new friends can be exciting but can also trigger feelings of extreme anxiety and social discomfort. Just as this affects us, so is it relevant for our furry friends who seem to go through many, if not all of the complex range of emotions that we do.

It is therefore critical that we display huge sensitivity and caution when introducing a new dog or puppy to our resident pet, who may have already been with us for a number of years and is firmly ensconced in the family hierarchy.

This can be done in several ways, one of which is to introduce the element of fun as much as possible and in this way reduce the attention given to negative behavior. Lavish the new pup with attention by all means, but please treat your existing pet with the same enthusiasm. This will show him that he’s still a treasured member of the family and hopefully reduce the potential for jealousy. Neutral ground is best for the initial meeting-place as the territorial aspect will be completely non-existent.

Restrain your pets initially, so as to maintain control of the situation- the leashes can be loosened as they get to know each other. Toys are also a great way to break the ice but make sure each of your barking buddies receives enough attention. By following this procedure, the companions that we love and adore will hopefully form a special bond and be part of a happier and bigger family.

Feature Image Source: Pixabay