If your current dog doesnt’ like the new dog, this is not really unusual. Dogs who are used to be the “only dogs” in the household may suffer a bit or quite a lot when a new dog comes into their “domain.” They dynamics may slightly mimic when mommy brings to the world a new sister, and the previously only child is no longer receiving all the attention. There are several things though that you can do to reduce the chances that your current dog doesn’t like the new dog. These tips can help prevent stress in the current dog and may even help reduce the chances for potential future squabbles. If your current dog doesn’t like the new dog though to the point of fighting, please play it safe and consult with a behavior professional.
Introduce on Neutral Grounds
Many dogs do best if they are introduced to new dogs on neutral grounds rather than directly inside the property. This is because some dogs tend to be territorial or protective of their belongings (toys, food bowls, beds, couches, favorite people). Some dogs may also guard certain areas (fence areas, feeding areas, sleeping areas).
Introducing two dogs on neutral grounds may be ideal. A good place to start is on a walk. Have a family member walk your dog to a local park or an area at a distance from the home while you walk the new dog. Then, (without letting them sniff yet) walk the two dogs parallel to each other with you and your helper in the middle (see picture) so to give them distance and get a feel of how they behave. This group walk helps the dogs get a sense of familiarity and walking parallel to each other is a less confrontational approach.
If the dogs seem interested in each other and are displaying amicable signs, it is possible to let the two dogs meet briefly with loose leashes while providing lots of praise, but then the walk should resume and conclude by entering the yard and then the home.
[adinserter block=”1″]Maintain the Same Routines
When you bring a new dog to your home, you must consider that this can be a very exciting experience for your new dog, but it can also be quite stressful too. This is a big change and anytime there is a change, you are disrupting your current dog’s routines.
To help your current dog adjust, make sure that you maintain the same routines as much as possible. So if you used to walk your dog every morning at 8 AM, keep doing that morning walk. If in the afternoon you used to let your dog out in the yard to sniff and explore, keep doing that.
Your dog will enjoy at least having the same routines so that his life still has a sense of familiarity. The only difference is that now he was a new friend to keep him company during these times.
Reduce the Chances for Conflict
Bringing another dog into a home changes a lot of things as there are new dynamics taking place. You will therefore have to do as much as possible to reduce the chances for conflict.
Even if your dog has never showed signs of being protective of food, toys and sleeping areas around humans, things may be different when another dog approaches your dog’s belongings.
Play it safe. It is best to prevent issues rather than having to separate both dogs from an interaction gone awry. Keep toys and food bowls out of reach so to prevent squabbles.
Also, make sure that the new dog is not receiving too much attention from you especially when your current dog is present.
Don’t start pampering your new dog and petting him in front of your current dog. This may lead to problems along the road. Both dogs should spend quality alone time with you and your family so that neither ends up feeling left out.
Monitor for Signs of Tiring
Your current dog may love to play and mingle with other dogs at the dog park, but things may change when you have a new dog in the home. While most social dogs enjoy having a friend comes visit them for play dates once a week, things may be a tad bit different when these new friends stick around and never leave.
It’s therefore important to always supervise both dogs and monitor for signs of tiring. Your dog may have moments where he has had enough. It’s as if your dog is thinking “You’re still here? I thought it was time for you to go back home!”
At this point your dog may want a little bit of peace. This is a good time to give both dogs a little bit of “alone time.” This allows the dogs some time to recharge and process the whole new situation.
You can have the new dog spend some time in the yard (always supervised by another family member) while you give your current dog some attention. If both dogs seem a bit tired, you can see if you can have them settle on their own mats set at a distance.
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If one dog seems to bother the other dog who appears tired or willing to rest, it is best to set some boundaries (baby gate, play pens, verbal cue to stay away if your dog is fluent on responding to that).
It is therefore important that both dogs get some breaks from each other during the first weeks so they have time to adjust. Paying attention to subtle body language denoting slight annoyance such as lip licking, yawns and growls is important so that you can intervene and prevent things from escalating.
Dog Doesn’t Like the New Dog
If your current dog doesn’t like the new dog despite the above changes and precuations, you need to closely evaluate whether it is worth it to add this form of stress to your current dog. Not every dog will get along with other dogs. If your two dogs are not a match, you may therefore have to think things over.
Sometimes, the intervention of a behavior professional can help you make some adjustments and offer tips on how to manage the situation.
However, if the new dog is not a good fit for your household, you must put your emotions aside and confront the fact that it may be best to rehome the new dog. If you got the new dog from the shelter you can give the shelter a call and let them know about the situation. Perhaps, you may find another dog to be a better fit. For instance, if your current dog is older or calmer, he may do better with a dog that is calmer. A male dog may also do better with a female dog and vice-versa.
Or perhaps you have discovered that your current dog doesn’t like the new dog because he simply does better as being the only dog. This is fine too. Not all dogs necessarily need to live with other dogs. Many dogs are simply happy to live their lives with their beloved owners.
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