subject: Old Dog Meet New Puppy: Ways To Introduce A New Dog In Your Home [print this page] You've decided you'd like to get a puppy but you already have a dog. Here are a few tips on introducing the two.
In the few weeks before you bring your new puppy home establish a place that's just for your current canine companion where he has his bed and a few favorite toys. He'll need a place off limits from puppy frolicking where he can get some peace and quiet. Don't do this the day you bring the little guy home or your current dog may think he's being replaced.
Keep the puppy in a separate room from your dog with the door closed. Both can sniff under the door to get used to each other's scent. After a few days use a baby gate instead of closing the door. The puppy and dog can now see each other as well as sniff each other. If you are crate training the puppy you can use the crate instead of the baby gate. If your older dog starts to get upset, don't scold him, just remove him from the puppy. The next time have some of your dog's favorite treats in your hand. Praise the puppy and give the dog a treat. The dog will learn to associate the puppy with treats.
Keep the first interaction between the puppy and dog supervised by two adults or an older child and an adult. Put the dog and the puppy on leashes and let them make physical contact. If any growling occurs remove whoever growled. The next time use the treat trick but give both the dog and the puppy a treat.
Some dogs instinctively know to play gently with a puppy and others go at it full blast. Until you know how your dog will react at play time, keep it supervised. Keep the puppy's toys separate from your dog's toys. Don't let the puppy play with the dog's toys unless the dog brings a toy to the puppy.
Young puppies need to be fed three times a day. Put your dog on the same schedule, otherwise he'll get jealous at the extra meal time. You can give him just a small portion at the lunch time feeding, the important thing is that the dog doesn't think the puppy is getting special treatment.
For the first few months don't leave the puppy and the dog home alone together confined in the same room unless the puppy is crated.
Finally every time you give the puppy attention give your dog attention.
