Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 7: Purchasing supplies
• Part 2 of 7: Taking the dog home
• Part 3 of 7: Introducing adult dogs to neutral territory
• Part 4 of 7: Getting your new dog used to your home the first day
• Part 5 of 7: Letting your new dog explore your home
• Part 6 of 7: Introducing the new dog to your established dog at home
• Part 7 of 7: Increasing the contact time between the dogs
• Tips

If you love dogs, chances are you'll want one more at some point. While bringing in a new dog is a fun time for you, your other pets often don't. The way you introduce the new dog to your other pets can make the difference between a long-term successful relationship and a catastrophe. The new dog will most likely feel insecure and confused in his new environment. Gently adding him to your household can help him gain confidence.

To step

Part 1 of 7: Purchasing supplies

1. Purchase new supplies for the new dog. Get separate feeders, a new basket, crate, collar, and dog leash. Do not let your new dog drink or eat from your other dogs' food bowls. You must also make sure that your new dog does not sleep in the other dogs' baskets.
2. Buy puppy pads. These are moisture-absorbing mats that you can place on the floor or in the crate. You use these pads in case your new dog has "accidents" while potty training.
   • Puppy pads can be useful even when the new dog is no longer a puppy.
3. Choose an area where the new dog can urinate. Your new dog needs a place outside where he can go to the bathroom. If you already have a dog, you can use the same area your other dog uses. Use this area regularly so your dog learns not to go to the bathroom until you go outside.

Part 2 of 7: Taking the dog home

1. Prepare an old T-shirt with your scent for each dog. Wear a different T-shirt every day for a few days before bringing the new dog home. This will cause your scent to stick to the T-shirt. You give this shirt to the dog you already have. Wear a different shirt the next day - give it to the new dog. The purpose of this is that every T-shirt will get a mixture of your scent, and that of the dogs.
   • You can also sleep in the shirts so that your scent gets on.
   • You should prepare the shirts a day or two in advance before giving them to the dogs.
2. Rub one T-shirt over the dog you already have at home. Take one of the shirts and rub it on your dog. You can also let the dog sleep in your shirt overnight.
3. Give the other shirt to the breeder or animal shelter. Ask your breeder, or the people at the shelter, if they want to make sure the new dog sleeps in your shirt for at least one night. That way, the new dog gets used to your scent.
4. Swap the shirts. Give the dog you already have at home the shirt of the new dog, and vice versa. That way the dogs get used to each other without having met each other. Since dogs communicate through scent, it is helpful if they can recognize each other's scent and associate it with your scent.
5. Use a pheromone spray for dogs. These can promote the recognition process. The sprays are available at veterinarians and pet stores. They contain a synthetic variant of the pheromone that nursing bitches release to reassure her puppies.
   • You can also spray some of the spray on the T-shirts. Then let the first dog sleep on the shirt, spray some more spray on the shirt, then hand it over to the new dog.
6. Get a blanket that smells familiar to the dog. If you are getting a puppy, you must have something that smells familiar to him. When you pick up the puppy, ask the breeder for a blanket that has the scent of the mother and her littermates on it. Place this blanket in his crate. This gives him something familiar, which he can toss around in.
7. Install the new dog's crate. Your new dog should have a place where he feels safe. Tidy up a room that contains his crate, food, drinks, and puppy pads. Drape a blanket over the crate so you can shade and isolate it.
   • If you have one, put the new dog's familiar blanket in the crate.
   • Also put the T-shirt with your scent and the scent of the first dog in the crate of the new dog. This ensures that the scents can mix, and thus ensures that a link is made between the known and the new.

Part 3 of 7: Introducing adult dogs to neutral territory

1. Plan a visit to the park. Dogs, especially adult dogs, benefit from getting to know each other in neutral territory — not at home. Many shelters can facilitate these encounters to determine if the dogs get along. Schedule this visit at least a few days before the new dog comes home.
   • Choose a park that you don't normally go to. This will prevent your current dog from exhibiting territorial behavior at that location.
   • This step can be especially important if you want to tie the knot about adopting a dog from a shelter or shelter.
2. Ask a friend to walk the new dog in the park. The owner of the new dog should be in the same park as you. Arrange to meet somewhere so that the dogs can interact.
3. Allow the dogs to meet. Walk your dog as you normally would. Make sure the dogs can meet. Getting acquainted in neutral territory reduces the chance of bumblebees, because neither dog has anything to defend.
   • Ideally, the dogs should meet in this way several times before bringing the new dog into your home.
   • If the two dogs get along well in the park, chances are they will have a good relationship in your home as well. It bodes well. If the dogs hate each other right away, then you should be aware of conflicting characters. If so, you should rethink bringing the other dog into your home.
4. Reward the good behavior of the dog you already have. Reinforce the dog positively by giving it a treat or by giving it extra attention. Always talk to your own dog before introducing him to a new one.

Part 4 of 7: Getting your new dog used to your home the first day

1. Take the new dog into his bathroom area. When you get home, immediately take the new dog to the place where he can relieve himself. This is the first step in the toilet training process.
2. Show the crate to your new dog. Bring the dog to his crate and put him in it. Leave the door open so he can get out if he wants to. [[Image: Introduce a NZunder the new dog for the first 24 hours. If you are bringing a dog home, gradually introduce them to all the rooms in the house. Limit him to one room for the first 24 hours; leave him in that room with his crate open. Give the new dog some time to get used to his new environment. He will slowly but surely get used to the new scents, such as the scent of your house and the scent of the first dog. The T-shirt in his crate helps with this.
   • Don't let him run all over your house right away. This will make too many new impressions on him.
3. Praise your dog. Give your dog positive reinforcement by telling him it is a good dog. Stroke him a little and scratch his ears a bit.
4. Take your new dog to the bathroom area every few hours. Make sure your new dog knows where to go. Take him to the bathroom area every few hours for the first 24 hours.
   • Ignore "accidents" the first day. Maybe your new dog is not house trained yet and has yet to learn where to go. Take him to the toilet area regularly. If he does have an accident, ignore it. Punishing him will only cause him to become confused and upset.
5. Keep the crate available. After each toilet visit, take the new dog back to its crate. This will make him feel safe and not overwhelmed.

Part 5 of 7: Letting your new dog explore your home

1. Have the new explore one room at a time. Start this on the second day, showing him a new room every day. Don't let him go all over the house right away, or he could get overwhelmed.
2. Let your new dog explore each new room for 20 minutes. If the new dog seems curious, you can start showing him the other rooms as well. Take him to every room and let him watch there for 20 minutes.
   • If the dog seems overwhelmed, limit it to one room every few days.
   • Make sure the new dog always has access to his crate.
3. Take bathroom breaks between the tour. After the new dog has spent 20 minutes exploring a room, take him to the bathroom area. This will increase the likelihood that he will relieve himself outside, and it will become a habit for him.
4. Praise your dog. Give your dog positive reinforcement by telling him it is a good dog. Stroke him a little and scratch his ears a bit.
5. Return the dog to its crate. After each reconnaissance mission and toilet visit, take the dog back to its crate. This will make him feel safe and not overwhelmed.
6. Ignore "accidents" for the first few days. Maybe your new dog is not house trained yet and has yet to learn where to go. Take him to the toilet area regularly. If he does have an accident, ignore it. Punishing him will only cause him to become confused and upset.

Part 6 of 7: Introducing the new dog to your established dog at home

1. Introduce the dogs to the new dog's room. Once the new dog has been with you for at least 24 hours, you can introduce them to the other dog (s). You do this by putting the dog in its crate and closing the door. Bring the established dog into the room and give it a sniff.
   • Don't make him aware of the new dog. Let him find the new dog himself. The established dog will find this out on its own as it sniffs around, and will discover the new dog for itself.
2. Give the dogs 20 minutes to get to know each other. Let the two dogs get to know each other for about 20 minutes. Then take the established dog out of the room. Release the new dog from his crate and take him to the restroom area.
3. Reward the established dog's behavior. If the established dog responds positively and approaches the new dog in a friendly manner, then reward their behavior with a treat.
   • Do your best to ignore your new dog to avoid making the older dog jealous. Instead, talk to the established dog first. For the first few days, only praise the new dog if the new dog is not around. Give your dog positive reinforcement by telling him it is a good dog. Stroke him a little, and scratch his ears a bit.
4. Repeat the introduction several times a day. The two dogs will get used to each other. This can be done by being happy in each other's company, or by ignoring each other. Continue this introduction for a few days.

Part 7 of 7: Increasing the contact time between the dogs

1. Put the new dog on a leash. Once the dogs have gotten to know each other a bit, you can strap the new dog on and take it out of its crate. Pay attention to how the dogs react to each other. The established dog will show one of several responses: he will accept the new dog and want to play; he looks down at the new dog; or he growls at him and threatens him. Give the dogs about five minutes to make contact with each other.
   • It is important to keep your new dog on a leash during these initial encounters. If the new dog chases the established dog in his territory, chances are your dog will dislike the newcomer.
   • Once they have made contact, remove the established dog. Take the new dog into the bathroom area.
2. Gradually build up the time the dogs spend together. Depending on how well the dogs get along, you can build the contact time up to 20 minutes. After each session, lead the established dog out of the room and take the new dog into the toilet area.
   • It's okay if you prefer to take this step a bit more slowly.
3. Start walking the dogs together. If the dogs are more used to each other, you can extend the 20 minutes by taking them out at the same time.
   • When walking the dogs, always put the tire on the established dog first. Let him out first, followed by the newcomer. The chance that he will challenge the new dog is much smaller if he knows that he is the "top dog".
4. Keep an eye on the dogs at all times. Keep an eye out when the dogs are together. However, you don't have to panic if the established dog starts growling. Despite the growls or other aggressive traits, the likelihood that the established dog will harm the novice is extremely slim. It is more likely that he will make some noise and then distance himself. However, keep an eye on the dogs constantly. At least until you are reasonably sure they are used to each other.
5. Keep the new dog away from the established dog's belongings. To prevent the established dog from becoming territorial, make sure the new dog does not eat and drink from the established dog's bowls. Also prevent the new dog from playing with the other's toys.
6. Ignore "accidents" the first day. Maybe your new dog is not house trained yet and has yet to learn where to go. Take him to the toilet area regularly. If he does have an accident, ignore it. Punishing him will only cause him to become confused and upset.

Tips

Make sure both dogs are vaccinated and those vaccinations are up to date. Consult the shelter or breeder to make sure the new dog is healthy.