Introducing a new pet to your family is sure to prompt a mixture of excitement and nervousness.
To have a smooth transition, you must plan every step of the process.
The first and perhaps the most vital step toward making sure a long-lasting doggy friendship is to have a care plan and a composed approach.
Questions You Need to Ask Yourself Before Getting a New Dog
Before knowing the tips on how to introduce a new dog to the family, let us first know the reason why you need to get a new pet.
It doesn’t matter if it is a feline or canine; choosing to add one may look like a simple decision for all of us.
However, big deeper, and you will see that there are many things you need to think of.
Here are some of the vital questions you need to ask yourself before getting a new dog into your family or home.
- Does your current dog get along with other pets, or he or she has an aversion to other pets?
- Do you and the rest of the family have the required time to dedicate to a new dog?
- How old is your existing dog? What’s the age of the dog you wish to adopt?
- Are these little ones in the family? How old are they?
- Should you apply for per insurance if you have not already?
Once you have issues particular to your condition, it doesn’t matter if special needs kid, allergies, where you reside, the lawn’s size, and many others- consider discussing with the vet or a dog trainer who can give you sound advice.
Now that you already answered all the questions about why you need to get a new dog let us now go to the tips you need to follow in introducing a new dog to your family.
Vital Tips in Introducing a New Dog to Your Family and Home
It is exhilarating and stirring to add a new puppy or dog to your family.
However, it is also overwhelming as you need to know and put effort into introducing him to your family and current pet.
Once you already have a cat or dog (small kids or new baby), it is vital to have a strategic introduction.
Although your current dog seems pretty careless, never think he or she will welcome a new pet openly.
Canine comes with an array of personality features and traits. Some dogs love meeting a new furry friend, and others choose to be more independent.
If you know how to introduce a new dog to your family properly, you will set them both up to make a good first impression.
Here are the seven tips to follow to introduce a new dog to your home and family properly.
1. Introducing a New Dog to Your Current Dog
A dog is a social creature and most often enjoy playing with other dogs.
But, when adopting a mature canine, there are some steps you need to follow to make the introductions easier and smoother.
According to professional social psychologists, begin the introductions with a smell.
Introduce your current dog pet’s smell to the new one before the meeting.
It is also advisable to reward your new pet to associate a positive condition with the smell.
Also, it assists in introducing a dog on the dispassionate ground. Walk them together, corresponding to each other, and let each canine smell each other.
Once both look happy and relaxed, let them meet. Maybe they will smell each other, then either initiate play or take for granted each other.
Pay close attention to any reaction and redirect both of them right away. Expert suggests constructive reinforcement for actions and manners you would want to witness more of.
Once your dog is inspired and encouraged by treats, it includes giving him or her treatment, which is considered a remarkable and reliable reinforcement.
2. When Introducing Your New Dog, You Need to Be Realistic, Positive, and Patient
If your current furry friend does not initially mingle with a newly adopted dog, don’t get frustrated or mad with him or her.
Instead, try to introduce your new pet later on. It takes a while for a dog to build trust with a new dog friend.
An older canine might take more problems with a canine that does not exist under boundaries, and a new dog might find a full-grown or much bigger canine to be a little bit intimidating.
Giving each one their own space, sometimes separating from each other, will help them see from a safe distance.
You can use a baby gate to make a safe place and slowly remove them after a while.
If following a couple of weeks, there is no progression in the relationship, and it is advisable to call a veterinary behaviorist for help and support.
3. Bring a New Pet Home
Even if two canines might get along in a fair environment, a current dog might become stressed if the new puppy comes home.
Begin by walking your current pet and the newly adopted one outside. Then, bring them inside on a loose-fitting lead, so you can prevent issues.
Get all your existing dog’s toys as well as bowl ahead of time to keep away any intent for resource guard.
Have a private place in your house for a newly adopted pet. Oversee any interaction with other pets in your house and give each dog a chance alone.
Stay near when feeding, separating the food bowls to avoid food issues. Make sure to pay attention to their body language.
Also, it allows choices to develop trust and confidence.
4. How to Introduce a New Canine to a Feline
Dogs and cats can be good friends. However, your feline friend may find that sudden interruption of an active dog hard to stand.
Feline can learn to care for and live pleasantly with a newly adopted pet with the countless similar approaches you to utilize to bring in a canine to another canine.
Ensure your canine always get to choose how and when they interact with the new pet.
Avoid forcing the interaction and never allow the new pet to invade the feline’s privacy, chase him, or bother him during feeding.
5. How to Introduce Your Canine to New Infant
As with dog to dog introductions, begin the introduction using smell. Introduce the infant’s smell to the newly adapted dog before he meets the little one.
Let him smell the blanket, and give him treats to make and develop a positive relationship.
Allow the puppy to go out of the room each time he wants and ensure that he does not have to bear loud crying.
Ensure to keep taking him for short walks, provide chances for many good enrichments and pay attention to his behavior to ensure that he is not anxious or stressed.
6. Introduce a Canine to a Kitten or New Puppy
In case you have a plan of adding new kittens or a puppy to your family, you need to follow similar approaches mentioned for a mature canine.
Remember that puppies and kittens are small to be harmed by an older and larger animal.
Therefore, never leave your new kitten or puppy with an older dog without supervision.
Kittens and puppies have endless energy and might pester or annoy mature pets. Ensure both can be separated to give time to your existing pet.
7. Introducing A Dog to the New Human Family Member
Sometimes a new canine will easily blend with your loved ones. However, it is always smart to pay attention to your new dog around kids or small children.
Particularly toddlers can apprehend a new dog by yelling and running around or pulling the pet’s fur, tail, and ears.
Chasing or climbing on your pet can be annoying to your cat or canine.
Friendly, big, and big canines can knock small kids down in just one swipe of the tail.
The rule of the thumb is to avoid leaving your kid alone around any creature, and it is vital to teaching your little ones how to take action the right way around your dog.
It is also vital to discuss with the breeder or shelter you are getting the new dog.
This is vital to look for a pet that goes along with your family’s lifestyle, and do not think twice to seek assistance and support from an authorized and certified animal behavior expert.
He or she can help you with this issue. We hope that these tips mentioned can help you ease the process of introducing a new pet to your family and loved ones. Good luck!
