Introducing Dogs to Other Dogs
Once you have the greeting basics down, it’s time to introduce your dog to other dogs. It’s best to limit your first attempts to meeting one new dog at a time in a neutral location for both dogs. It can often be problematic for one to have a home-field advantage over the other or to feel like they have to protect their territory or people from an intruder. The best scenario is an outdoor, fully fenced area, with leashed dogs, and no other dogs or extra people beyond the handlers for each dog.
If you don’t have access to a fenced area, use what you have: a large garage, basement, or an outdoor space away from distractions, including toys, treats, or anything else the dogs might fight over.
If you’re introducing a new dog to the family, allow the new dog to settle in comfortably while the other dog is out for a walk or a joyride with a friend or family member. When both dogs are ready, introduce them in an open area of the house, avoiding spaces near the front door or areas where they can compete for space or feel cornered by the other dog.
Steps for Introducing Dogs to Other Dogs
As you complete the following steps, observe the dogs’ body language throughout and in the days that follow. When they meet new people, look for your dog to display happy body language, such as tail wagging, full-body wagging, ears back, and no direct or hard eye contact.
If you notice any of the following behaviors from your dog, then it’s time to give them a break.
- Tough Stares/Hard Eye Contact
- Tense Postures
- Ears Hard Forward
- Freezing in Place
- Lunging on Leash
- Growling
- Stiff. Raised, Fast Wagging
- Lowered/Tucked Tail
- Tries to Run Away
- Runs Back to You
A common mistake is letting dogs meet face-to-face (nose-to-nose) while on their leashes, as both handlers pull back on tight leashes. This is an unnatural meeting position, and leashes should stay loose. Unnecessarily tightening a leash can cause an aggressive response from a dog. If the situation becomes unmanageable and things suddenly get worse, breaking up the dogs becomes necessary. That’s why the leash is there, as a backup.
If things go well and you want to walk the two new dogs together, then initial leash walks should include a space between them. Keep them far enough apart that they are aware of each other but not so close that they can reach each other.
As they become more comfortable with each other during unavoidable potty breaks, let them move closer on their leashes. If they pass all the previous tests, you can let them interact off-leash by returning to the enclosed area and letting them sniff more.
Continually praise the dogs for their friendly behavior. They are eager to play when they give each other that telltale bow: elbows on the ground, rear in the air, and a smile on their faces.
Just because they handle one phase okay doesn’t mean they will move smoothly through each step. If you’re introducing a new dog to the house, ensure that each dog still gets alone time, has its own sleeping space, its own toys, and so on.
If you encounter any issues that you cannot resolve with a little time and patience, consider consulting a professional.
