How to Introduce a Puppy to an Older Dog: 4 Tips

Before you introduce a new puppy to your adult dog, there are several factors to consider. Follow these tips when you introduce a new puppy to your existing dogs:

1. 1. Be prepared. Your current dog regards your home as its home and a new dog as a potentially disruptive presence in a place it considers safe. To avoid potential conflict, keep anything that belongs to the resident dog, like toys or beds, out of the puppy’s reach to avoid the chance of resource guarding (the protection of important items) on the part of the older dog. Purchase individual food bowls and create separate neutral areas for each dog.
2. 2. Keep medical records current. The new pup and resident dog must be up to date on vaccinations before you introduce them for the first time. They should also receive an examination by your veterinarian and treatment for parasites, fleas, or ticks.
3. 3. Pay attention. Make sure you supervise your dogs’ first meeting. Pay attention to your dogs’ body language and watch for signs of aggression, such as growling or posturing. If the adult dogs barks, whines, or makes attempts at nipping, put your younger dog in a separate area, such as its crate or behind a baby gate.
4. 4. Remember, puppies are still in a learning phase. Young puppies develop social skills through socialization. Often, when dog owners bring a new puppy home, the first thing it wants to do is play, but an old dog has different energy levels and may be less interested in playtime. Your adult dog has ways to inform the new family member about proper behavior, such as growling; avoid reprimanding the older dog for this behavior unless there’s a potential for physical harm to the puppy.

Follow these steps when you introduce your puppy to your older dog:

1. 1. Choose a neutral territory. Find neutral ground, such as your front yard or an open area in the neighborhood, to introduce your resident senior dog to the new addition. This reduces the chance of territorial behavior from the older dog.
2. 2. Use leashes. Keep both dogs on leashes for their first meeting. Let them meet each other on their own terms through sniffing. Hold leashes firmly but give the dogs room to move independently unless you notice signs of aggressive dog behavior.
3. 3. Stay calm. Both you and the person holding the second dog’s leash should maintain a relaxed and positive attitude. Dogs sense apprehension from their owners, and they draw guidance from your behavior in new situations.
   
4. 4. Introduce your puppy to its space. Bring both dogs home once they’ve gone on a long walk. Allow the dogs to move around without leashes in the yard before going inside; again, pay close attention to your dogs’ behaviors. Bring them inside and introduce the puppy to its neutral space. Carefully monitor their interactions and keep the puppy inside its kennel crate when you are away from home.

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