How To Introduce Your Dog To A New Pet

How To Introduce Your Dog To A New Pet

However, it is important to introduce your dog to a new pet for ultimate socialization. Whether you are bringing a dog home to an existing pet or bringing a new pet to your dog, you will need to ensure that your furry friends get along with the new creature entering their world!

Trusted and experienced dog breeders in India help their clients socialize their dogs with specific pets. For example, the socialization tricks involving a cat are different from the ones involving another dog.

Whatever the case may be, the basics remain the same.

Keep these steps in mind before introducing your dog to a new pet:

Know Your Dog’s Personality

Everything starts with your dog and its personality. If you have a Golden Retriever or a Labrador, it is likely to introduce itself to a new pet! You can get the job done with minimum effort.

You will need more time and effort for introverted and reserved dogs. Understand your furry friend’s temperament before deciding on any course of action. Consult expert dog breeders in India to help you understand your puppy when you buy it.

Check if your dog is friendly or territorial. While friendly dogs are happy to make new friends, the territorial ones take time.

Understand The New Pet

Understanding and socialization go both ways. Along with your dog, you should also understand the other pet’s personality. Are you introducing your dog to a fidgety cat? Are you planning to bring a bird or rabbit home to your dog? Is it another dog that is more territorial?

Answer these questions before moving ahead. Knowing both parties well helps make you the perfect matchmaker!

The Right Time Is The Key!

You must have heard this quote a million times, but time really is the key!

Choose a suitable time to introduce your dog to a new pet. Avoid times when your furry friend might be stressed. Ensure that your dog is not hungry and give it its favorite treats before starting with the introduction.

Wait for your home environment to be calm, composed, and lucrative for your dog. You should never proceed during times of renovation, shifting, or guests visiting your home. Your dog won’t be at peace during such events.

Set The Right Environment

You will need to set the stage before introducing your dog to a new pet! Start by giving dedicated spaces to both parties. Ensure that your dog and the new pet feel safe in their respective territories.

You should also create safe zones for your furry friend and your new companion. Either of the two parties is likely to feel threatened. If they do, they should know that they have a safe place to hide. For example, give a cat an elevated area to hide or stay safe from your dog. It will soon realize that the dog cannot reach it there.

Introduce Scent First

Never bring your new pet directly in front of your dog. You don’t know how your furry friend will react. Start slowly by introducing your new pet’s scent. Dogs are brilliant at identifying scents. Once your dog gets familiar with your new pet’s scent, it won’t react unpredictably when seeing it.

You can do this by exchanging toys, bedding, and other accessories between your pets. If the other pet is a dog, too, it will only make the introduction more effective.

Keep Things Under Control

No matter how friendly your dog is, go ahead with a controlled introduction. If the other pet is also a dog, have both parties on leashes. Take them on walks and make them realize neither of the two will hurt the other. You can also allow casual sniffing if they are comfortable.

If the other pet is a cat, keep the cat in a protected environment (like a crate) and your dog on a leash. Observe how your dog reacts to seeing the cat. Proceed further only if the dog handles things calmly instead of jumping dangerously or growling in anger. This should be the case with other small animals, too.

The Final Word

A safe introduction between your dog and a new pet is important, as both parties are going to live with each other for years. Set a solid foundation and consult trusted dog breeders in India to proceed in the most effective way possible.