Introducing New Dog

[hotdogz]

Hi all,

Looking for some tips on introducing a new dog to the 2 I have already.

The 2 dogs I already have are a 1yr male jrt and a 3yr female staffy.

The 2 I have already get on really well together so would 3 be a crowd.

I have the facility to kennel a new dog so they are not all lumped together if not at home.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[Cazstaff]

I always find walking the dogs together to be the best way to introduce them. Keeping a distance at first, changing who is in front, letting them get used to each others smell and presence. As their body language relaxes let them get closer to each other for short periods. Depending on the dogs this can take minutes or hours before they will comfortably walk side by side.

When we get home I turn the tap on and let them drink together.

I usually crate a new dog in the family room so the established dogs dont see it as competition on their turf and the new dog can relax & watch how things run from the security of his own space before being invited to join in for short periods.

No matter how well things seem to be going I dont leave the new dog unattended with the established pack for quite some time.

It varies so much depending on the temperament of the dog I am introducing.