What Age Should I Introduce My Puppy To My Other Dog? – When is the right time to introduce them to your other, older dog to make the best introduction between them? This is a great question we want to answer for you!
Getting a new puppy is a big commitment, and the idea of introductions can feel like a terrifying step, because your older dog is so much older, and could do damage.
We have done a lot of doggy introductions, either in our neighborhood or over at the local dog park with our beloved dog – Sadie. Yes, it does take a lot of confidence, a lot of understanding, and patience too. But, it can be a real point of trepidation when you bring home a new puppy to meet an older one. You don’t know how they’re going to act, react, and you don’t know if they’re going to feel totally uncomfortable.
So that is why we want to take some time to discuss with you when the best time to introduce your dog and your puppy is. We want to give some tips, and some things to think about before you go through that introduction.
We want you to do this safely for both dogs. No matter what emotional baggage your first dog has you can introduce them successfully.
The Ideal Time For Introductions
This may surprise you, but is the best time for introductions for your older dog to your puppy? Is the window of your puppy’s life from six to eight weeks – yep – before the puppy comes home! Of course, if this is possible to do with your local breeder.
This window represents the period after their first parvovirus vaccination (6 weeks) and before the first fear phase (normally 8 weeks), which is an ideal time for learning and socializing with safe dogs, and especially those that they’re going to share their life with.
What You Need To Have…
A Great local-ish breeder! A fully vaccinated dog A nicely socialized dog
I am a thorough believer in two meetings of the puppy before the puppy comes home – but – if you do have an older dog in your home, then it’s a great idea to schedule a third where you introduce your puppy to your older dog.
During the early ages of puppyhood, there is a magic phase before the first fear phase kicks in, wherein whatever your puppy experiences, they accept it as perfectly normal. Capitalizing on this phase? Is really important for introductions and the phase I want you to be aware of.
Please remember that the first fear phase happens earlier in some breeds than in others! So talk to your breeder about your puppy’s specific breed.
So, before you head there, make sure that your older dog is content in strange situations, is well socialized, and doesn’t typically have issues with puppies – or as close to this as is physically possible.
Not to mention about 4 weeks before your visit and introduce your two future fur-sibs, make sure that all vaccinations are up to date and square so you’re not exposing a puppy to anything that might be life-threatening or similar.
Keep the meeting quite brief, and try to be as relaxed as you can be so that your dog feels comfortable. You want soft body language, and relaxation between them both ideally!
As you see relaxation (it may take a little bit of time for the excitement to subside) but when it does? Allowing them to experience each other’s space is a great idea, limited time, limited interaction, but small gentle methods.
If You Can’t Introduce At The Breeders, Or When They Get Home.
Then you’ll be introducing your dog and your puppy at home. Depending on if your dog guards, or if they have a comfortable zone, pop your dog on a leash, along with puppy and borrow the second set of hands (if you don’t have some available), and just make sure that there is distance when there needs to be.
Manage the interaction to create positive experiences for both parties, to ensure a great, and lasting friendship between them.
What To Do If Your Existing Dog Is Dog Aggressive
Typically? I want you to consider doing the work to desensitize and counter-condition your dog before you agree to bring home a puppy.
This is simple but time-consuming. There’s a great self-study course here, and my advice also. If you’re still struggling it’s a great idea to involve a professional trainer as they can help you to make progress.
Once your dog has learned how to cope, and you can effectively manage the situation, try introducing them. Keep both on a leash, or try the other side of a barrier like a baby gate to start, and remember, muzzle training is entirely responsible at this stage!! You’re protecting other dogs but also your own dog.
It can feel wicked at times, but in this situation, your muzzled dog will be great peace of mind to you, and your breeder to ensure that introductions are entirely safe.
You may even consider the breeder holding the puppy in arms in order to manage the distance of the greeting.
Brush Up On Body Language
Look into and learn what acceptable body language is between two dogs, your puppy will likely be quite ‘rude’ to start with, which is understandable (it’s like when kids tell you the truth in the most brutal way possible).
So, try and focus on when your existing, older dog is comfortable and uncomfortable so as to manage the situation appropriately.
How To Turn This Meeting Into A Lasting Experience
Making sure that this is a good greeting is the first step in multi-dog-household harmony! The next steps? Look a little like this…
1 – Make Sure To Reign In Either Dog When They Go Over The Top
This is especially important when there is a big age gap, or size gap between your dogs. Remember body language throughout, if either becomes overbearing, more forceful or similar, stepping in and diverting their attention into a nice sit and a lay down for a reward is a great way to reinstill the balance they need.
Play is not played if it’s only fun for one.
2 – Train Both – Don’t Neglect One Because They’re ‘Done’ Or ‘Too Much Work’.
It’s a little bit like what happens when you have more children, the second child gets away with a lot more than the first – but that really cannot happen. Keep your training tight (if you need help, I can do that!), and make sure that you train both dogs as individuals, and then when they’re succeeding, train them together.
3 – Feed Separately
So often people think dogs should feed happily together, but that’s often not the case. One may steal, one may gain allergies, one may get defensive. It’s always easier to avoid a problem than to treat a problem. So feeding separately from the start is a great idea.
It’s kind of thing where dogs are instantly less defensive if they can just eat and not pay attention to others. It allows for destressing and doesn’t put a spike on their daily stress-o-meter.
4 – Give Each Dog Love, Apart, And Together
Dogs know when you favor another. And it can make the other act out. Try and be as balanced as possible with them and don’t be totally obvious with your first dog, or your second dog. Try and keep the peace and treat them as equals (even if one’s a chihuahua and one’s a Tibetan mastiff).
5 – Give Each Dog Their Own Downtime & Bed
This is really important. Dogs need sleep – both your adult dog and your puppy. It’s one of the things that keep them in balance and in harmony with the world around them — I think it’s the reason I love them and sympathize with them!
So, ensuring both dogs get proper rest, that puppy doesn’t bug their older sibling when they’re trying to sleep, or that your first dog is encroaching on the puppy’s bed (very common by the way! Just remind them whose is whose and if you need to physically separate, crates or play-pens are super useful.
Happy Dogs, Happy Home!
Taking on more than one dog is a challenge, but with proper setup, conscientiousness, and fair treatment, they’re bound to be happy and content – so you’re setting them (and you!) up for success!
