The Best Way To Introduce A New Puppy To Your Older Dog – Part 2

If you are planning on purchasing a new puppy or adopting an adult dog, while being the current owner of a dog who is at home already, you have to take steps to help the dog at home adjust for the new puppy that will be living and eating in his “territory”.

There have been some horror stories of dogs fighting each other when a family brought home a new pet and introduced it to their dog, however, these situations are few and far between.  That doesn’t mean that you should not prepare and help the dog at home adjust better. Here are a few ways to make the job easier:

1. Regardless of how old the dog at home is, he may revert to acting like a puppy when you bring home your new dog in terms of jealousy and attention. A perfect example of this behavior can be seen when you are playing toys with both dogs. There is always one dog who wants to the run and grab up all of the toys and not let the other pup have any. You need to understand that this is just the way the dog is attempting to establish his hierarchy. So do not interrupt this process by stealing the toys away from the more dominant dog and giving them to the other one.

2. If for some reason the two animals start to fight, be sure not to yell. You are already dealing with a tense and dangerous situation between two fighting dogs so do not make it worse by raising your voice.  Dogs perceive yelling as a threat and will make the situation deteriorate, especially as your little puppy matures.

Ironically enough, the best thing you need to do if your two dogs start to fight his to simply get up and walk right outside as fast as you can, slamming the door as you leave. Do not say anything, do not yell, just get up and go. The reason why this technique works is because your dogs are fighting for your attention and once you leave the room, they have nothing to compete against each other for and will stop fighting.

3. When it’s time for your dogs to eat, feed them both separately for a period of time.  You do not have to necessarily have them eat in separate rooms, but a least place the food bowls at opposite ends of the kitchen or whatever room you feed them in.

If you have a difficult time with separating them in one room when placing the first bowl down, feel free to use a leash to hold one dog back. And always lay down the food bowl over the more dominant dog first.