How to introduce a New Dog to an Aggressive Resident Dog
Introducing a new puppy or dog to a household with an existing dog with aggression is a labour of love that requires careful planning and patience. Therefore, it’s important to ensure you have the capacity to manage both dogs' needs before deciding to bring a new pup home. Controlled introduction techniques, supervised walks and gradual closeness, and managing aggression triggers, are key to fostering a safe environment.
As a professional dog trainer specialising aggression, I’m happy to share my best tips on this process with you. But if your dog exhibits consistent aggression, seeking professional guidance early is the best way to ensure the well-being of both pets and family members.
When you have an existing dog with aggressive behaviors, bringing a new puppy or dog into your home is a process that requires careful planning, understanding, and patience. Here's how you can create a harmonious home for your new and current pets.
Before the Introduction:
Assess your capacity: Consider your emotional energy and the time commitment. Do you have the capacity and time to commit to introducing a new dog into your home?
Reflect on your current dog's behavior: Is their aggression triggered by other dogs, sudden change, or territoriality? If so, it might be wise to consult a professional before moving forward.
Address your current dog’s behavior first. It may be wise to address your current dog’s aggression before introducing a new pet. I highly recommend seeking out trainers who specialize in aggression, anxiety, and reactivity. Not all trainers are equiped to deal with comples behavioral issues like these.
Work with a professional. A professional dog trainer can work with you to create an introduction plan that will sucessfully integrate a new dog into your home.
Steps for a Smooth Introduction:
Understand Aggression Triggers:
Identify and understand your current dog's aggression signs and triggers. This knowledge is crucial for managing their interactions with the new dog.
Supervised Introductions:
Start with supervised, parallel walks in a neutral area, keeping the dogs on leashes with enough space between them. Watch for signs of stress or aggression.
Monitor Body Language:
Pay close attention to both dogs' body language for any stress or aggression indicators. If negative reactions occur, calmly separate them and try again later. You want the dogs to have positive experiences of each other. If they have negative experiences or stress responses, these can be hard to overcome down the line.
Repeat and Reward:
Continue the supervised interactions, rewarding both dogs for calm and non-aggressive behavior. Gradually decrease the distance between them.
Don’t Force It:
Remember, the goal is NOT to try to force the dogs to be best friends, the goal is to teach them to be neutral and indifferent towards one another and allow a bond to form naturally on its own.
Sharing the House:
Once your dogs start showing signs of acceptance, you can begin introducing them to shared spaces in your home, always under supervision. If aggressive behavior arises, correct it, or separate the dogs until you have the tools and skills needed to reinforce the rules within your home.
One Step Ahead:
We believe in a proactive approach over a reactive one. This means we encourage owners to address aggression issues in their dogs before introducing a new pet to the household. As professional dog trainers who specialize in aggression, we can guide you through the introduction process, providing training and supporting aggression management. Reach out to us today to create a safe and peaceful environment for all of your family members.
Introducing a new dog to an existing one with aggressive tendencies takes time, understanding, and patience. By implementing these steps and recognizing when professional help is needed, you're well on your way to fostering a loving and respectful relationship between your pets, where both your new and existing dog can thrive.
Do you need help introducing a new dog into a home with a resident aggressive dog? We can help! reserve a complimentary consultation.
