Bringing a new dog into your home is always an exciting event! This new dog means another companion for you, but also a playmate and friend to the pet or pets you already have. However, introducing a new dog to your other pets is not always a smooth process; with some patience and wisdom, it can be done successfully. Here are a few tips on how to introduce a new dog to other pets:

1. Keep Everyone Relaxed

Introducing your new dog to your other pets is going to be stressful, no matter what. But with some careful planning and patience, you can help ease the transition.

Try to keep all parties involved relaxed as much as possible. Make sure your established pets are in a safe space that they know well. Having a neutral place like this is one of the keys to introducing a new puppy to your dog, and it’s helpful for introducing them to other pets as well.

Keep your new dog restrained on a leash and let the other pets investigate. Use a few treats to encourage your new dog to remain calm and relaxed. Your other pets and your new dog will also likely sense and respond to your emotions, so it’s also important for you to stay calm and relaxed during this process.

2. Keep Initial Interactions Short

It’s going to take a few tries for everyone to get along. Introducing your new dog to the other pets in your household should be done in short sessions so that everyone can stay relaxed. This may take as long as a week or two, but it will be worth it.

Introduce your new dog to the other pets for a few minutes at a time and in different rooms to allow your pets to adjust to seeing your new dog in different spots. Make sure your pets can be in a safe area that the new dog cannot get to. Always keep your new pet on a lead and if you see the other pets getting nervous, calmly remove the new dog from the situation immediately.

Eventually, once the other pets are more relaxed, they can walk out of their safe space and investigate. Keep the new dog on the lead while the other pets investigate. Remember to praise them and give lots of love and affection if it goes well! If things feel calm and safe, you can let your dog off of their leash, but make sure you still supervise their interactions.

Supervision is essential for interactions between young kids and puppies, and the same is true for interactions between your other pets and your new dog. Make sure there are plenty of escape routes for everyone so that nobody feels cornered and attacked.

3. Stay Separate at Mealtimes

For the first few weeks, keep your new dog away from your other pets at mealtimes. Animals can get very territorial during mealtime, so it’s best to allow them to feel safe and calm when a new pet is introduced.

Eventually, when everybody is friends, or at least tolerates each other without fighting, you can try introducing the new dog to the mealtime setup. But make sure you supervise the first few times to be sure everything is running smoothly.

4. Reward Good Behavior!

This will take a lot of time and effort and a lot of patience for everyone. Make sure you reward good behavior with plenty of praise, love and affection, and treats! You could also reward them with new toys or different treats. This will help reinforce good behavior, help associate the new dog with positive things, and create strong bonds between all of your pets.

When everyone feels loved and happy, adjusting will be much easier for all of your pets. Don’t be alarmed if not everyone gets along immediately or if they don’t become best friends. As long as they have their own space and get equal amounts of attention, everything should work out.

These are just a few tips on how to introduce a new dog to other pets. If you’re still struggling to create a happy and safe introduction, reach out to your vet who can recommend an animal behaviorist. They will work with you and offer tips and training to create a smooth transition. Remember to be patient and give it time, and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it!