How to Get Your New Dog to Get Along with Your Old Dog: A Guide to Helping Old and New Dogs Get Along
How to Get Your New Dog to Get Along with Your Old Dog: A Guide to Helping Old and New Dogs Get Along
Many dog lovers can't resist the temptation of having multiple dogs, wanting to add a new companion to their home and fill it with laughter. However, dogs aren't naturally predisposed to being friendly with each other, and the arrival of a new dog can cause resentment in your old dog, even leading to fights. How to make old and new dogs get along peacefully is a challenge many multi-dog families face.
I. First meeting of old and new dogs: Create a safe and comfortable environment
When introducing your old and new dogs for the first time, choose a place that is unfamiliar to both of them, such as a park, pet store, etc., which can minimize their anxiety. Let them sniff each other from a distance, don't force them to interact, and observe their reactions. If they appear friendly, you can gradually shorten the distance, but be sure to keep things safe to avoid accidents.
II. Bringing the new dog home: Let the old dog adapt to the new member
When the new dog officially arrives at your home, you need to let the old dog know that the new member won't steal its position or affection. First, isolate the new dog for a while, let it adapt to the new environment, and at the same time, let the old dog sniff the new dog's belongings to get familiar with its scent. Once you're sure the old dog isn't aggressive towards the new dog, you can start letting them meet in a safe environment, such as under your supervision for brief contact, or in different rooms to observe each other.
III. Maintain the old dog's rules: Maintain stability
The old dog has become accustomed to the established order of life at home, and the arrival of the new dog may disrupt this balance, causing the old dog to feel uneasy. Therefore, maintain the old dog's daily routine, feeding habits and play habits, let it feel that its status and dominance have not changed. For example, continue using the old dog's dedicated bowls, keep the same walking route and time, let it feel the familiar rhythm.
IV. Feed separately: Avoid competition for food
One of the most common conflicts between old and new dogs is fighting over food. To avoid fighting, old and new dogs should be fed separately, providing them with independent tableware and bowls to ensure they have enough food and avoid conflict due to competition for food. When feeding, keep quiet to avoid making them nervous and uneasy.
V. Patient companionship: Build trust
It takes time for old and new dogs to get to know each other and build trust. As the owner, you need to be patient and accompany them, observe their behavior, intervene and mediate in a timely manner. If the old dog issues warnings or growls at the new dog, don't scold the old dog, it is just protecting its territory, don't show bias towards the new dog, but maintain a neutral attitude, let them gradually adapt to each other's presence.
VI. Establish common interests between old and new dogs: Create opportunities for interaction
To help the old and new dogs integrate into the family better, you can create some common interests for them, such as playing together, training, or learning new skills, so that they can build friendship through interaction. When they complete tasks or make progress together, be sure to reward and encourage them in a timely manner, reinforcing positive interactions between them.
VII. Seek professional help: Seek help from a veterinarian or dog trainer if necessary
If the conflict between the old and new dogs is severe, or you are unable to resolve the conflict between them, you can seek help from a professional. Veterinarians or dog trainers can provide personalized solutions based on the specific situation of the dogs, helping them build a good and harmonious relationship.
Summary of experience:
Getting old and new dogs to get along takes time and patience, don't rush, don't give up easily. Maintain calmness and objective observation, respect the personality of each dog, guide them with love and patience, and eventually let them become each other's best friends.
Many dog lovers can't resist the temptation of having multiple dogs, wanting to add a new companion to their home and fill it with laughter. However, dogs aren't naturally predisposed to being friendly with each other, and the arrival of a new dog can cause resentment in your old dog, even leading to fights. How to make old and new dogs get along peacefully is a challenge many multi-dog families face.
I. First meeting of old and new dogs: Create a safe and comfortable environment
When introducing your old and new dogs for the first time, choose a place that is unfamiliar to both of them, such as a park, pet store, etc., which can minimize their anxiety. Let them sniff each other from a distance, don't force them to interact, and observe their reactions. If they appear friendly, you can gradually shorten the distance, but be sure to keep things safe to avoid accidents.
II. Bringing the new dog home: Let the old dog adapt to the new member
When the new dog officially arrives at your home, you need to let the old dog know that the new member won't steal its position or affection. First, isolate the new dog for a while, let it adapt to the new environment, and at the same time, let the old dog sniff the new dog's belongings to get familiar with its scent. Once you're sure the old dog isn't aggressive towards the new dog, you can start letting them meet in a safe environment, such as under your supervision for brief contact, or in different rooms to observe each other.
III. Maintain the old dog's rules: Maintain stability
The old dog has become accustomed to the established order of life at home, and the arrival of the new dog may disrupt this balance, causing the old dog to feel uneasy. Therefore, maintain the old dog's daily routine, feeding habits and play habits, let it feel that its status and dominance have not changed. For example, continue using the old dog's dedicated bowls, keep the same walking route and time, let it feel the familiar rhythm.
IV. Feed separately: Avoid competition for food
One of the most common conflicts between old and new dogs is fighting over food. To avoid fighting, old and new dogs should be fed separately, providing them with independent tableware and bowls to ensure they have enough food and avoid conflict due to competition for food. When feeding, keep quiet to avoid making them nervous and uneasy.
V. Patient companionship: Build trust
It takes time for old and new dogs to get to know each other and build trust. As the owner, you need to be patient and accompany them, observe their behavior, intervene and mediate in a timely manner. If the old dog issues warnings or growls at the new dog, don't scold the old dog, it is just protecting its territory, don't show bias towards the new dog, but maintain a neutral attitude, let them gradually adapt to each other's presence.
VI. Establish common interests between old and new dogs: Create opportunities for interaction
To help the old and new dogs integrate into the family better, you can create some common interests for them, such as playing together, training, or learning new skills, so that they can build friendship through interaction. When they complete tasks or make progress together, be sure to reward and encourage them in a timely manner, reinforcing positive interactions between them.
VII. Seek professional help: Seek help from a veterinarian or dog trainer if necessary
If the conflict between the old and new dogs is severe, or you are unable to resolve the conflict between them, you can seek help from a professional. Veterinarians or dog trainers can provide personalized solutions based on the specific situation of the dogs, helping them build a good and harmonious relationship.
Summary of experience:
Getting old and new dogs to get along takes time and patience, don't rush, don't give up easily. Maintain calmness and objective observation, respect the personality of each dog, guide them with love and patience, and eventually let them become each other's best friends.
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