Less is More

Many people ask me what is the best way to introduce a new pup or dog, to an existing canine (& feline) family. In my usual non-methodical way, I haven't really thought about the "steps", but I guess that comes from knowing my crew well. What I would consider the first step is to look at who you have at home and what you know about them. I also foster a lot, so introducing a new dog is something my crew is used to. But for some dogs, they may have only child syndrome...take it slow. A resident dog or cat, who has not lived with another dog, may need that bit of extra time and reassurance that their world just improved, not the reverse.

It is kind of common sense to go slow on introductions and use the old standby of meeting on neutral ground, before heading home. Neutral meaning, take a walk and keep moving, not standing there with nose to nose and expect them to become instant friends.  I also make sure that those at home are not going to end up with "less" or feel insecure about their stuff or places they usually sleep, eat, play, by the addition of a new pup-so I manage environment and have that in place before getting home. The resident critters didn't make the decision to add to the family, you did-but it affects them more than it does us, at times. 

Consider a series of baby gates or ex-pens to create safe zones for your residents, so that they get used to a new pup without having to deal with face to face, or in their space. Or, have to deal with too much change in their day to day routine. This works especially well for cats! If there is any change in access to their usual invisible indoor pathways from point A to B to C, especially to the litterbox-cats will get stressed. Extra scratching to mark territory, aggression, vocalizations,  or Peeing on your bed or couch, if not a UTI (which you should always rule out medical causes), is often a sign of stress in a cat.

If you have a resident dog who doesn't like to share or is normally more protective of you, or shy in meeting new dogs-adding a new pup can be stressful for them. One more creature they have to possibly deal with, over their "stuff". Or, if your residents are super well-adjusted and socialized to new pups/dogs-they may actually overwhelm a new pup, who is going to need time to adjust to all the new stuff and get used to their new home. We want the first experiences to also be positive for the newbie.Sometimes the Newbie needs the time for adjustment, not the residents. 

If your residents love other dogs they still may need their space. Even the friendliest dog does not want their ears endlessly chewed on, or to be pounced on constantly for play. But, if you bring home a new pup, putting your resident in a crate (even worse in another room so they are isolated now) and you are letting the newbie have complete freedom, well that is pretty unfair! Unless of course the resident feels more comfortable there or there is reason they need to be confined for injury, etc-but you are rotating times of freedom and confinement. Some of my pups have gone to homes recently where there was a need for a more gradual introduction to the resident canine (s). Those folks can probably better explain the steps they have taken. Hopefully the advantage with taking home a pup from me, is that they have been raised by the "village" of well-adjusted adults who teach them yes and no safely. Pups that learn to speak dog early, are usually more respectful-well as respectful as any pup can try to be. Prior to 12 weeks, developmentally most pups don't have this skill-so we do need to prptect them a bit.

Either way, who was there first and by your side, always gets "more", while the newbie gets "less"-whether it is immediate freedom in the house, first to get attention, etc. By "more" I mean the residents still get their usual freedom and attention, and actually more attention and praise-while the new pup may be in the room crated, or gated off.  Anytime, that one of my dogs even glances over at a newbie-big praise!! Not that I worry there will be an issue or they really need this to be good to a pup, but I want them to know that this new addition gives them "more", not "less".  It is like using the LOOK AT THAT Game, with a new puppy. 

It is a good habit for some people to start the process of introductions, by recognizing the positive and neutral behavior in their residents and be pro-active about praising that!!! Not wait for the snark or snarl. Dogs may look "jealous" if they seem uncomfortable or are competing for attention...they are not, they are stressed or feeling threatened! Their world just changed and often a person starts to yell or correct the resident dog for not "accepting" the newbie, which kind of confirms for a dog that you aren't trustworthy-whether they can predict cause and effect, or not. Or, worse the newbie has freedom and the resident ends up crated or confined. Don't be a dumbass, is that fair?! From your resident's perspective-how have you just changed their world?

What I do know, is that the new pup or dog all shiny & fun-never replaces who is already home for me, they are the new kid on the block. They get "less", as the existing crew gets "more" for being neutral, calm & friendly, as the newbie is introduced into the house. As I have a small pack that all live peaceably together-from experience and knowing how pods of whales are introduced in captivity, the first few days the newbie is introduced to the younger or less status seeking of the crew. Once they have established a rapport, that circle of friends is added to. The last one the newbie gets full access to, is whoever is the oldest or reigns supreme amongst the crew, according to how they behave in their presence-the one who all the others will kiss their chins, show lots of wiggly greeting to, back up from door to let go through first, etc.

It can be a pack of "one" and you may still see an ebb and flow of how the resident dog accepts and seems to "like" the newbie, the first several months. Give them time. As humans we seem to think if we shake hands or have a great conversation with a stranger, we are being friendly or might become friends, but we can think about it and weigh our options to interact in the future. Dogs are more of the moment and need to sniff each others's butts, create ground rules of this is mine, I might share this, this was my person first, no you can't have that, etc. Dogs are more fluid in their interactions and it is a dance for them, yet don't have pre-cognizant expectations of being "friends", that we as humans impose on them. 

At a certain point, you do need to make the leap of faith! Taking too long to introduce a newbie, is like having a small universe in your house of separate planets revolving around you, as the sun. The "Honeymoon" period is usually about 2 weeks, that is usually about the time that they will also start to get really used to each other's presence. I normally give about a week, for baby pups and 2-3 for adults/fosters coming into my home. The rhythm and new energy of a newbie, will normally blend in by then.

If there is a worry that a resident might hurt a newbie (or vice versa but not on a baby pup of course), consider using a muzzle, that the dog has been desensitized to wearing-again with lots good stuff happening as association, for wearing it. Also, this helps for introducing a dog who may show excess predatory or chase behavior, to cats or if you have chickens or other critters. Working on leave it and recalls, another thing to amp up rewards on and start training if needed, so dragging a leash indoors can be useful also-but baby gates can be a beautiful thing.

Most newbies become great friends with your residents, of course. I love sitting at night and having 3 or 4 all curled up together on my lap, like a small little spiral. Usually the newbie, the nucleus of the group, as I see my amazing crew accept yet another. That warms my heart! As they get used to each other, there may be "words" or you may need to be the sheriff and intervene or set some boundaries, but be fair. So...what do I suggest as the best introductions? Honor your residents and enjoy the new addition! We have pretty big hearts with room for more, as do they...but they had our hearts first.