Bringing home a new puppy is an incredibly exciting time, but if you already have a dog, it can also be nerve-wracking. While most dogs can get along perfectly fine, it's important to introduce a puppy to a dog correctly to help begin their relationship in the best way possible.
Here, we have plenty of tips and tricks to smoothly introduce a new puppy to your existing dog.
While you'll no doubt want your puppy and your dogs to be instant best friends, the reality is, it may take a little bit longer for their relationship to thrive. Depending on the age of your current dog, and the temperament and personality of the two, some dogs may get on right away while others need extra time to adjust to the change.
Luckily, there's plenty you can do to help the relationship between your pups and dog.
First of all, puppies are very vulnerable to infection. So, before bringing your new puppy home, it's important that both dogs are up-to-date with their vaccinations to keep them both happy and healthy. Otherwise, they could pass infections to each other. Your puppy will still be at risk of infection from your existing dog for at least one week after they've completed their vaccination course, so it's best to keep them separate or have the vaccinations completed before bringing them home.
If you're unsure if your existing dog is up-to-date on vaccination, check with your vet.
Before bringing your puppy home, it's recommended to do a scent swap to allow them to get used to each other's smell. Take a blanket or a toy from each dog and add them into the other's environment to allow them to inspect it at their own pace. Dogs learn a lot about people, animals and the world from their noses, so a scent swap is a vital step in introducing them.
If you can't do the scent swap before bringing the puppy home, keep them in a separate room and then scent swap. It's likely they'll already be able to smell each other, especially the puppy if it's kept in a room where the dog has been before, but scent swapping will help give them a better idea of who their new sibling is.
When your dogs meet for the first time, ideally, it should be in a neutral location so neither dog feels territorial over the space. Somewhere outside but enclosed, such as a garden or a puppy park, or while on a short walk where they can explore and interact with each other, would be perfect. If your puppy begins to get too excited or either dog starts showing signs that they feel worried, pop them on a lead and take a small break to continue walking or exploring the garden.
When the puppy comes home, remove your current dog's food bowls, toys, and bed to avoid any competition or territorial behaviour. After an hour or two of them meeting and interacting, lay out each dogs’ bowls and beds in separate areas of the house. These can also be closed off from the other using a baby gate if needed, so they know they can eat, drink and rest in a safe space alone.
Your dogs meeting for the first time should be a positive experience. So, make sure to reward both of them with plenty of praise, as well as adult dog and puppy treats!
For the first few days of your dog and puppy living together, make sure they are constantly supervised. It's a big adjustment for both animals, and tensions may rise as they get used to each other and learn what is and isn't acceptable behaviour.
It's important to learn your current dog's body language. While an older dog correcting a puppy's behaviour and taking on the role of a 'parent' is normal any snarling, snapping or cowering form either dog should be addressed. This may mean having multiple short introductions over a few days of an hour or two, giving both dogs regular breaks in separate areas and adding in some enrichment activities and games to give them something else to focus on and create a positive interaction.
It may also be a good idea to keep them in separate rooms overnight to allow them to rest and recharge in peace until they are fully comfortable in each other's company. Remember to go at their pace to avoid causing a stressed or nervous dog.
Take a look at our puppy socialisation tips to help raise a confident, well-adjusted dog
If you have an older or elderly dog, they may have less tolerance for a puppy's bouncy and playful nature. More patience and time will be required to adjust your older dog to your puppy. Follow the same steps above but take things slower and at the older dog's pace. During the initial meeting, it may be wise to keep the puppy or both dogs on a leash to maintain control and prevent the meeting from becoming too overwhelming.
Keep meetings brief and always end them on a positive note before taking the puppy into a separate room and allowing the older dog to relax in a safe and comforting space.
Most importantly, while a new puppy is very exciting and a lot of fun, don't forget to give your older dog the same amount of love, attention, and individual time with you as before. Not only will this help prevent any jealousy or territorial behaviour, but it'll also ensure both dogs feel loved and secure.
If you currently have a dominant dog, introducing a puppy may be a little trickier. While the steps above still apply, make sure to also have designated spaces, or safe zones, that the dogs can retreat to when needed. Keep food and water bowls separate to avoid any resource guarding issues along with any favourite toys of the dominant dog.
Allow supervised play in a controlled environment and always watch out for your dominant dog's warning signs and body language. For example, a stiff posture, growling, or tension will indicate the need to operate them and give both a break as soon as possible.
If you're still having issues, even after following the correct steps, using positive reinforcement, staying consistent and being patient, it may be worth enlisting the help of a professional dog trainer or behaviourist for extra guidance.
Introducing your new puppy to an existing dog in the right way will set them up for a lifetime friendship. But patience, control, and taking it slow are needed for a successful introduction. Exchanging scents, meeting in a neutral space, such as a park, and ensuring they have supervised playtime, plenty of individual attention and separate safe spaces, will put your dogs on the right path to becoming best friends.
Feeding dogs together in the same room or on opposite sides of the door, but not next to each other, can also help boost their relationship while also working as a distraction to any uneasy feelings. Check out our range of delicious natural puppy food designed to support your new puppy's growth into a happy and healthy dog.
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