Dawsonville, Georgia — Bringing a new dog into your household is always an exciting time for the human “pack” members but can produce stress for the “non-human” pack. Home Dog Training Master Trainer Robin Edwards offers tips to help dog owners understand how to manage dog introductions and help ensure a lifetime of safety and serenity for all involved – from the family dog or cat to a bird, or other small pet.

“Introducing a new dog to your present family makeup of animals can be a challenging task if the correct measures are not taken,” said Robin Edwards, dog behavioral therapist. “By following a few tips, the introduction can be a “non-event” for everyone.”

General Tips:

  • Set reasonable goals when you bring a new dog into your family. Knowing your dog’s and the new dog’s backgrounds regarding their prior and current socialization will help you manage what might happen.
  • Remember and respect that your current dog or cat could believe that the new dog is encroaching on their established territory. This could cause a safety and security issue.
  • Proceed slowly and calmly. Slow-paced introductions will definitely assist in preventing any fear-based or aggressive reactions from developing. If bad behaviors are not managed and controlled in from the start, they can become habit and be very hard to change in the future.
  • Never leave new pets by themselves, even if they are in their crates.
  • When two pets meet, it is very important that you watch them at all times. The situation can change suddenly.
  • If you currently have more than one dog, introduce each dog one at a time to the new dog to prevent them from overwhelming the newcomer. You don’t want a “bum rush”. Stay in control of the introduction. If you are not sure how your pet will react, take the necessary precautions to keep him (and you) safe.
  • Be patient and have the ability to adapt. It is your responsibility to teach your new dog to trust you while letting your current pets know that you will continue to keep them safe. Building good relationships does not happen over night.  It takes time and patience.

Dog to Dog

  • Before you bring the new dog home, bring home his scent so your current pets can get used to the new smell of the new dob. You can easily to this by rubbing the new dog with a cloth or use a blanket he has slept on. Take it into your home and put it where you think your new dog will be sleeping.
  • Check that both your current dog and the new dog are up to date on their vaccinations to avoid any risk of infection.

Introduce in a Neutral Location

  •  Have the dogs meet in a neutral location that is unfamiliar to both dogs. An example of this could be a park.  This prevents your current dog from feeling his territory is being threatened by the new dog.
  • Put a six foot leash on each dog.  Each dog should be controlled by a different family member.  Have them loosely hold the leashes. Try to stay relaxed so the dogs don’t pick up on any tension you might be feeling.
  • Don’t pull the dogs towards each other to make them meet. Just walk near each other for a few minutes. One or both of the dogs may ignore each other, which is fine. Stay calm and allow the dogs to finally become assuredly inquisitive about the other dog.  Allow them to approach the other dog on their own terms.

For more information, please contact us at Call Bruce and Robin.

Contact Dog Training of Georgia

Dog Training of Dawson, Hall,
Forsyth & Cherokee County Ga
Phone: 770-718-7704
Email: [email protected]

Contact Us:

First
Last

Dawsonville, Georgia — Bringing a new dog into your household is always an exciting time for the human “pack” members but can produce stress for the “non-human” pack. Home Dog Training Master Trainer Robin Edwards offers tips to help dog owners understand how to manage dog introductions and help ensure a lifetime of safety and serenity for all involved – from the family dog or cat to a bird, or other small pet.

“Introducing a new dog to your present family makeup of animals can be a challenging task if the correct measures are not taken,” said Robin Edwards, dog behavioral therapist. “By following a few tips, the introduction can be a “non-event” for everyone.”

General Tips:

  • Set reasonable goals when you bring a new dog into your family. Knowing your dog’s and the new dog’s backgrounds regarding their prior and current socialization will help you manage what might happen.
  • Remember and respect that your current dog or cat could believe that the new dog is encroaching on their established territory. This could cause a safety and security issue.
  • Proceed slowly and calmly. Slow-paced introductions will definitely assist in preventing any fear-based or aggressive reactions from developing. If bad behaviors are not managed and controlled in from the start, they can become habit and be very hard to change in the future.
  • Never leave new pets by themselves, even if they are in their crates.
  • When two pets meet, it is very important that you watch them at all times. The situation can change suddenly.
  • If you currently have more than one dog, introduce each dog one at a time to the new dog to prevent them from overwhelming the newcomer. You don’t want a “bum rush”. Stay in control of the introduction. If you are not sure how your pet will react, take the necessary precautions to keep him (and you) safe.
  • Be patient and have the ability to adapt. It is your responsibility to teach your new dog to trust you while letting your current pets know that you will continue to keep them safe. Building good relationships does not happen over night.  It takes time and patience.

Dog to Dog

  • Before you bring the new dog home, bring home his scent so your current pets can get used to the new smell of the new dob. You can easily to this by rubbing the new dog with a cloth or use a blanket he has slept on. Take it into your home and put it where you think your new dog will be sleeping.
  • Check that both your current dog and the new dog are up to date on their vaccinations to avoid any risk of infection.

Introduce in a Neutral Location

  •  Have the dogs meet in a neutral location that is unfamiliar to both dogs. An example of this could be a park.  This prevents your current dog from feeling his territory is being threatened by the new dog.
  • Put a six foot leash on each dog.  Each dog should be controlled by a different family member.  Have them loosely hold the leashes. Try to stay relaxed so the dogs don’t pick up on any tension you might be feeling.
  • Don’t pull the dogs towards each other to make them meet. Just walk near each other for a few minutes. One or both of the dogs may ignore each other, which is fine. Stay calm and allow the dogs to finally become assuredly inquisitive about the other dog.  Allow them to approach the other dog on their own terms.

For more information, please contact us at Call Bruce and Robin.