Luna is my firstie, and Skylar is my new addition. And like with anything new, there's going to be a lot of adjustments. So how do you get them to get along? The last thing you want is for your firstie to hate the newbie or vice versa!
When I was deciding to get another dog I was worried about how Luna would cope (and how I would too). I was sooo terribly worried that I would love Luna more than the new pup, because she is my firstie and she is perfect beyond belief. Drew and I repeatedly say that we were so lucky to have such a great dog. But would we be so lucky the second time? From what I've heard from others, you will love each dog for different reasons. They're like kids, you don't have a favorite, but you love each for different reasons.
The time came when we had to figure out how to introduce Skylar and Luna. And let me tell you, it was not unicorns and rainbows. They did not get along the moment they saw each other... Definitely NOT love at first sight. So here are some tips that I've done to help the transition:
1. First introduction: before getting another pet, make sure all you home residents meet the dog and interact with her first, before bringing her home. You want to make sure your firsties all approve. When your firsties are humans it's pretty easy to get their opinion, since they can tell you yes or no. Animals aren't as easy. So you have to read their body language, and in the end make a judgement call.
2. Second intro: make sure it's equal playing ground and no one's specific territory. Give time to smell everything. They probably won't be interested in each other for a while because they are busy taking in the new smells. This is okay! They don't need to be playing and wrestling right out of the gate (they will have plenty of time to do that later). LEASHES!
3. For me, I know how Luna gets when new people come into our home (she barks and tenses up). I've noticed that if I bring her with me to meet them outside, she tends to be less stressed when they come inside the house. So I figured it might be good to do the same with new puppy. I brought Luna out first and had the two meet and walked back into the house together.
4. Take away firstie's favorite toys. You don't want possession to happen over certain toys. I actually took away all of the toys and slowly introduced them little at a time to see what they could handle. If they couldn't handle something, then I would put it away again.
5. Give them their own space: I was told by the rescue we got Skylar from to allow a getaway for the new dog, so that if the firstie gets to rough the newbie can slip away. I'm okay with this (for beginning to introduce--first couple of days), but I also want them to be able to communicate correctly. If you allow your dogs to constantly run away, they won't learn to communicate effectively. However! I do think they need their own space sometimes to rest. Everybody needs there space at times. It gives you a break, too.
6. Attention: Make sure when you give one attention, you are also giving the other dog the SAME amount of attention. From what I've read on other advice blogs and forums and heard from friends, is that you want to give your firstie the attention first. This helps with showing the newbie that the first dog is the "alpha" of the dogs. This also is the same with treats. Same amount of treats and give your first dog treats first.
7. Alpha dog: YOU want to be the alpha, but your dogs will need a hierarchy too. One of them (probably your firstie) will be the alpha between the two. You most likely want your firstie to be the alpha because he or she will show the newbie what's right and wrong. If the newbie is the dominant one, and still isn't trained how you want, I would imagine this being a pain. Your firstie needs to establish that it is the alpha. How? From reading other blogs and articles, I learned that Luna needs to choose which toys she wants. It's okay for your dog to take the toy from the newbie (from what I understand) because it is showing the new dog that "I'm the boss and I decide which toys you can play with". However, you also don't want bullying. So I think just watch and decide on your own if how they are reacting is good or bad to you. Also, I read that the alpha will let the other dog lick them and give them kisses. It's almost like kissing the hand of royalty. Respect! That's how I see it at least.
8. Crate is your friend: like j said before it's good to have them mingle, but they also should have time apart when you are first introducing. It's a whole new thing for both dogs and you don't want to stress them out. Their safe place (the crate) is a good source to give them space and rest. I often put Skylar in her crate and let Luna roam. Mostly because Skylar still isn't potty trained, but also because I don't want Luna to feel "punished" or treated differently than she was before the new dog.
9. Food: A lot of dogs are food aggressive or food motivated or food possessive. All the reason to separate your dogs while they eat. You also don't want to leave your dogs food out so they can graze. Luna used to be a grazer, but after getting another dog she's been on scheduled feeding. I feed nth dogs in their crates. Their space, their food. I don't keep the food in their crates the whole day though. They get about 15 minutes to eat their food in the morning and at night. If they don't eat it all, I put it up where they can't get it. You don't want aggression over food to happen with your dogs. Separate to be safe. Luna has been covering her food with her blanket when she doesn't finish it. This is similar to burying a bone. They are hiding it from other dogs or animals, so they can enjoy it later when they are hungry. When she starts burying her food with the blanket I take it out and put her food away.
10. Time away from each other (similar to 5). Luna acted like she aged 5 years when we got Skylar. All she wanted to do was sleep and be away from the new puppy. It was worrying me. She just looked so sad. So I decided to have a mommy-Luna date. I took her to the dog park (one of her favorite past times) and immediately she was thrilled. She was still socializing with other dogs, but she had separation from Skylar. After that she really started to open up around Skylar.
Do you have any more tips for people who are trying to introduce new dogs? Comment below!
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