Doggy Friends

Pups are social animals, too. But just like people, making friends can be a challenge. As a pet parent, it’s important to be mindful when introducing your dog to another dog or cat. Whether you want to have multiple animals in the family or your pet just needs some puppy friends, we’re here to help you navigate the tricky world of introducing your dog to other dogs or cats.

How to Properly Introduce Dogs

When introducing dogs to each other, patience, adequate space, and high value treats are key. One method for introducing dogs to each other is the walk-treat method by the Animal Humane Society:

• Start on neutral, spacious territory, like a park, open field, or quiet street. Stand on opposite sides of your space with each dog on a good leash, then walk slowly towards each other. 
• Any time your dog looks at the other, give them a treat to reward perception of the other dog. If your dog ever stares or goes stiff, stop walking or add distance between the pups. This stiffness may indicate tension or hostility between the dogs.
• Repeat until your dog can walk seamlessly without going stiff at the sight of the other dog. Focus should be on you and the treats, not the other dog.
• Slowly decrease the distance (this might take a few walks) until the two humans can walk next to each other with the dogs to the far right and left of them, and can move forward without obsessing over the other dog.
• Once you’re consistently walking well, allow the dogs to circle and sniff each other for a few seconds then lead them away. Repeat this several times. Any time the dogs’ bodies go still, lead them away and take a break.
• Once you have several meetings where the dogs’ bodies appear relaxed (loose, wiggly bodies) the next step is to try the two dogs loose in a fenced area so they can move around as they wish.
  
  

How to Introduce Dogs in a Home

This method is also good for introducing a new puppy into the house.

Try to initiate an outdoor meeting as outlined above before bringing pets into the house. Open, neutral space is crucial for a more friendly meeting. The first few meetings will likely be slow and tense, with chances for rowdiness. It’s best to keep that outside to prevent any unwanted behavior damaging your house.

Some tips for introducing dogs in-doors:

• Leashes ON. If your dog gets jumpy, having a way to hold them back will be beneficial to the cleanliness of your home.
• Remove toys and food bowls that the resident dog may feel territorial of. Any instance of ownership may make your dog feel the need to fight in defense of their home. 
• Separate when unsupervised. Even if the newly introduced pups seem to get along, if it’s still early in the introduction process, it’s best to keep them separate while unsupervised to avoid any sudden altercations. Best policy is to keep them supervised for at least a week to let them ease into each other.
• If an altercation occurs, separate the dogs for multiple days to let stress pass. Stress hormones in pets can remain for a few days. It’s recommended that you keep the pets completely separate for 3-5 days to let them calm down fully before reintroducing them.
  
  

How to Introduce a Cat and Dog

• Set up separate sanctuary areas for the cat and dog that include everything they may need: food, water, litter box, toys, etc. Keep the pets in separate areas for a few days. This will let them get used to each other’s sounds and smells.
• While the pets are in separate spaces, start moving their food bowls closer to the door that separates them. The goal is to ease them into a spot where they can eat right in front of the door, with the other animal on the other side, comfortably. 
• Next, let them enter the same room. The dog should be kept on a leash, and the cat should have access to clear shelves, cabinets, or other high surfaces if they need to escape quickly. Do this for short periods of time and then return them to their sanctuaries. If altercations arise, wait 3-5 days before trying again. Spend about a week introducing them to the same room for short periods of time. Do not extend time unless they are fully at ease.
• Once the pets can remain at ease in the same room, you may introduce them to the room without a leash. Do this a few times, for a short period of time per session. If no alterations occur, your pets will likely be comfortable with each other. If altercations do occur, return to sanctuaries for a few days and try again.
  
  
  

How We Introduce Dogs at Holiday Barn

• Holiday Barn Pet Resorts’ Dog Daycare is another great way to introduce your dog to other dogs. Our Daycare staff is trained in the dynamics of dog socialization and introduction. When a new dog visits our daycare, considerable care is taken to assure they are introduced safely into the pack.
• First, we establish which play group our newcomer would be most comfortable in. This decision is based not only on the size and weight of the dog, but also the age, temperament and activity level. A new dog will be brought into the play yard first. Other “campers” (our word for daycare attendees) are let into the play yard one by one. All dogs are leashed. No dog is taken off leash until we are comfortable that a positive rapport has been established. For the rest of the introduction period, our Camp pack closely observes the dog’s body language until they are satisfied that the newcomer is happy, confident, and having a great time.
• Placing a fearful or anxious dog unwillingly into a group situation is very stressful for them. If a dog does not respond well in a group setting, our Camp staff will often refer them to our Professional Dog Trainers for help. Our Trainers can help with pet introductions through our training program either here at our resort, or in the comfort of their own home.

First impressions can be ruff for everyone. Learning how to properly introduce your dog to another dog or cat is a vital part of pet-parenthood. Good job for taking this important step for your pet! Here’s a treat. 🦴