Adding to the Pack - When you get Home

So you’ve just adopted and brought home a new dog to live and be buddies with the dog or dogs you already have.

Congratulations on your new addition and thank you for giving a dog in need a home and a new chance at a great life.

So now what? Are there things you can do to help the bonding process with your dogs? Yes there is!

 

 

The first few weeks are crucial and can set the tone for the relationship. You want to create positive experiences for the dogs. They didn’t choose each other but that doesn’t mean they can’t become great buddies and playmates.

 

The more positive experiences they have together, the better! You can walk them, take them on outings and treat them together.

 

On the other side, it’s equally important that all dogs are also given individual time as well.

 

When you first get home:

 

• Go for a walk around the neighborhood before going inside to establish a pack mentality
• Introduce the backyard
• Walk into house on leash and introduce each room on leash

The first few weeks:

• Keep toys and bones put away (high value items can trigger a fight while relationships are new)
• Supervise feeding time
• Do not leave your new and resident dogs alone when you aren’t home or cannot supervise
• Have a crate for the new dog if necessary
• Keep the routines of your residents dogs
• Give equal attention to all dogs
• Spend time with all of your dogs individually
• Interrupt squabbles or growls
• Keep play times under control
• Praise good behavior
• Allow down time for less energetic dogs

Rules


The rules are up to you. It’s your house and your dogs. But I’m a firm believer that we have to be our dog’s leaders. We bring dogs into our homes and provide food, water, exercise, play time, training, shelter, health care and love. In return our dogs give us companionship, unconditional love and loyalty. They need and want structure and rules. It’s up to us to provide and enforce them. Remember being a leader doesn't mean being mean and aggressive. The best leaders are calm, fair and assertive.


Effie Arrives Home

 

 

When we arrived home with our new adopted dog Effie and our two resident dogs, we leashed them all up and headed straight out around the neighborhood for a walk. It was pretty crazy as Effie was very excited and had no leash skills. Though challenging, we managed to get around and even ran into a few neighbours who were surprised but eager to meet her.

 

 

After our walk, we brought all three dogs into our back yard to interact and play. Effie did a lot of smelling! Finally it was time to go into the house. We brought Effie on leash and introduced her to each room. We set up a crate in the living room and the bedroom.  It was time for us to eat and for her to rest. We had all had a long day! She whined at first but eventually calmed down enough to fall asleep. We were not far behind her….

 

 

Stay tuned for “Adding to Your Pack - Fights”