When you bring a new dog into the pack

Introducing two new dogs for the first time.

What is the best way to introduce a new dog to your home? What is the best way to introduce two dogs that have never met before? In this blog post, we will give you a guide on how to introduce dogs in the best possible way. Do you have a new dog in the pack? Then you may need new dog accessories, don't forget to check out our print page HERE! Here comes the guide: Start by being on neutral ground, taking a distance of approximately 100 meters.

1. 1. Keep the dogs on a leash and move back and forth for 100 meters still. Let the dogs discover each other at their own pace, give treats when they register the other dog for a good feeling.
   2. Start moving slowly towards each other. Practice barking with the dog if they can, otherwise just counter-condition with treats.
   3. Start walking parallel in the same direction.
   4. Go towards the dog park if there is one/alternatively a meadow where they can be loose, start walking a little closer to each other until you can walk about 4 meters apart (the dogs should not make physical contact yet).
   5. While you are walking, any frustration is released, and the dogs get a kind of sense of belonging, they also have time to perceive what their energy level is and the gender of the other dog.
   6. If you are in a dog park, let one dog in first and wait outside with the other. If you are unsure whether the dogs don't get along, you can let them sniff through the grate first.
   7. Leash the dog that is inside the exercise yard and walk down to a distance of 10-50 meters (depending on how big the exercise yard/meadow is).
   8. Release the dogs from a distance and start moving around, do not let the dogs greet each other in a confined space or near their owners (in case of resource defense).
   9. Throw out treats if no one is watching the food, and let the dogs bound through a dinner. This is a good thing to do if the greeting or play becomes too intense. Interrupt the behavior.
   10. Don't let the dogs play for more than 10 minutes the first time, end on a high note, end if the play escalates or seems heated.
   11. End the party with a walk home.
   12. Now they can be allowed into the apartment/house together.

NOTE! Always let dogs greet without a leash, they can get misunderstandings in the locomotor apparatus if there is a leash in the way. If they are two unneutered male dogs of the same age, you should be very respectful, always let them make nose contact with a grid in between first if you are unsure of reading the dog's signals before. There is a great risk of conflict. This works the same way if you bring home a new puppy, although you can go much faster. See how it can work in practice here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFPpLj5jVAY&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fhundstaff.se%2F&source_ve_path=MjM4NTE&feature=emb_title Written by: Klemminghundar in collaboration with Hundstaff