Take the blankets off of the dogs’ beds and swap them so that each dog has the other dog’s blanket. Try to do this at least a day before they meet to give them a chance to investigate the smell and get used to it.
If you introduce your dogs to each other at home, the old dog may display aggressive, territorial behavior toward the new dog. If you obtain your new dog from a shelter, the shelter may require you to introduce your dogs to one another at the shelter before you are allowed to take them home.
Keep leashes on both dogs. This will restrain your dogs and prevent them from attacking one another if aggressive behavior is displayed.
If there is no sign of aggression at a distance, you can then move closer to each other. Pay attention to both dog’s body language. Growling, teeth-baring, raised hair, and long, uninterrupted stares can all indicate aggression. If this occurs you should move the dogs away from each other or immediately redirect the dog’s attention. [4] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source
Although the dog in front may pause when they sense your dog sniffing, encourage all parties to continue to walk. Trade positions with your partner after your dog has sniffed the other dog. This will allow the dog that was previously in front to sniff your dog from behind. Continue to trade positions with your partner until both dogs have experienced the front and back walking positions several times. This will allow your dogs to become more acclimated and familiar with one another. Also allow your dogs to sniff one another’s excrement and urine after each dog has finished the act. This is a form of communication between dogs and indicates that they are becoming acclimated and comfortable with one another.
Give your dogs positive praise when you see them acting friendly with one another. Petting your dogs and using verbal praise will encourage them to continue to get along with each other. Take a break every few minutes to let the dogs have direct interaction but then continue on the walk. Keep close supervision during direct contact so that you can redirect your dogs if problems arise.
If you need to transport the dogs in a car at this point, you will want to keep them separated. They have met each other but are by no means ready to be put in the back of a car together, for example.
Bring the dog into the house and immediately into the room where it will get food and water. Feed the dog and give it water, which will calm it down and get it ready for the grand tour. Then walk the dog through every room in the house slowly. Keep the dog on its leash while you walk it through the house.
If you need to be out of the room, place the dogs in separate rooms so that no conflict arises without you being able to defuse it.
There will naturally be a more dominant dog and a more submissive dog in the new relationship. This does not mean that one dog should beat up on the other dog continually. You will need to use your best judgement about whether the relationship is on the right path toward pack behavior or if it is rooted in aggression.
To find a trainer or animal behaviorist in your area, ask your veterinarian or the organization you got your new dog from for a recommendation.
