Introducing Pets

According to the Humane Society, about forty percent of US households that have dogs have more than one dog, with the large majority of that number (twenty-eight percent) having two dogs. It’s probably safe to assume that not every dog in those multiple-pet households arrived at the same time. 

​Choosing to add a dog to your family is an exciting prospect, but if you already have other four legged companions at home, you will also be faced with the sometimes daunting task of introducing your new pet to the existing members. It is important that this is done calmly & safely as to set up a good environment for the future.

In this article, I will be covering introducing a dog to a dog household & also a cat household.

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Dog-Dog

The number one rule when bringing a new dog into a household that already has dogs is to do it gradually. The worst mistake people can make when adding a new pack member is to just bring the dog into the house. To the dogs that were already there, this is an intrusion on their territory by a stranger. To the new dog, being thrust into an unknown environment leaves it without any rules to follow or boundaries to respect.  To help your family in this transition, I have included several important steps below. 

1. First meeting is on neutral territory
A park or even the sidewalk down the street from your home is a smarter meeting spot then in your home or in your yard. This is your original dog's "territory" & he/she can become territorial of a perceived threat.  Diffuse/eliminate this possibility by allowing your dogs to meet on neutral ground to get to know each other prior to moving the meeting inside your home.
2. Always have dogs on leash for first several nose to nose meetings
This is just a safety issue.  It also requires you to have an extra hand when introducing dogs.  This allows you to control the space each dog has & also control the interactions & quickly but safely intervene if necessary.
3. Be aware of dog body language
I have an entire article on reading dog body language that you can find by clicking here. 
4. Understand there will be a hierarchy
I have also done an article on the pack mentality that you can find here.  Know that there will be scuffles & arguments among your dogs as they decide the pack order. Your job is to ensure these small arguments do not escalate to a full fight.
5. Continue to reestablish your "pack leader" mentality
You are the alpha dog in your pack.  Continue to enforce the house rules with both pets.  See #4 above to find the article on pack mentality.
6. If possible, keep dogs separate when you are gone for the first few weeks.
Again, this just comes down to safety.  If you aren't present during the beginning weeks, then you aren't there to intervene if arguments escalate.  Once your dogs have established their new pack order & have lived together for several weeks, it will be safe to leave them together when you are gone. 

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Dog-Cat

Whether you already have a dog and are considering getting a cat, or vice versa, it is very important to think about their first introduction. By letting a loose cat and an off-leash dog meet each other in an open room for the first time, you are probably setting up both animals to fail. Instead, plan ahead and take your time.

1. Separate the animals
As you start to make introductions, scent first. Keep one of your pets kenneled or in a separate room, allowing the other pet free roam of the house to explore the scents & sounds.  You can also try feeding each animal on his or her side of the door: The cat eats his food in his room, right next to the door, and the dog eats her meal on the other side of the door. This allows each animal to associate the smells of the other with something good: food. Once each pet has gotten familiar with the other's scent, you can move on to the next step.
2. Desensitization
To begin desensitization, let the dog view the cat briefly through a gate or a glass door then get the dog to focus on something else, such as playing with a toy or practicing cues. Hopefully, through this process of slowly letting the dog see the cat and get accustomed to the cat’s presence, the dog will eventually become desensitized and lose interest in the cat also let the cat get used to the dog's presence.
3. Controlled face to face introduction
Allow the animals to see one another, but do not let the dog chase the cat, even in play. Keep the dog on leash to better control space & safety. Reward both animals with treats and praise. 
4. Pay attention to body posture
I have an entire article on reading dog & cat body language that you can find by clicking here. 
​5. Keep separate during the first few weeks while you are gone
Again, this just comes down to safety.  If you aren't present during the beginning weeks, then you aren't there to intervene if arguments begin. Once your pets have lived together for several weeks, it may be safe to leave them together when you are gone. 
6. When to seek professional help...
Sometimes the dog & cat are just not adjusting well to life together & the desensitization period or introductions haven't gone well.  It may be time to seek the advice or help of a trainer.  Safety of your pets is critical so don't be afraid to reach out for additional resources.

By taking the extra few days to make a smooth & safe transition for your new pet, you can ensure a much happier & more importantly safer household for all of your four legged friends!!!