INTRODUCING A NEW ADULT DOG TO AN EXISTING ONE

Somethings many of us go through when introducing a New Dog to our existing dog in our household. Why the fighting and jealously and what to do about it?

Your existing dog has not had to share you (especially full time) with a completely strange dog................Dogs are Territorial. Their Territory and their Humans belong to them. It is up to you, the more intelligent and hopefully, "Leader Of The Pack" to help your NOW four legged friend BOND with the NEW four legged friend your bringing into your existing dog's DOMAIN (Territory).

Jealousy in adult dogs is pretty normal behavior. Also only one dog can be the Boss so some squabbling will happen. Often the female dog will end up boss, especially if in the home first.
I suggest letting the dogs work it out between them with as little human interference as possible. Constantly interfering can "Stop" the squabbles for the time being but not "End" the sqaubbles. Only by the dogs working it out to see who is the Boss Dog will "End" it.

NOTE: Very, very SPOILED dogs may never happily share their Human(s) and Home Territory. Usually seen in spoiled small (tiny) breed dogs but witnessed in larger breeds also. Simply SPOILED. Meaning they are the BOSS, not the humans that cuddle them, feed them, care for them...............Thus they are the "Leader Of The Pack" not the humans.

Most dogs enjoy the companionship of their own species. Naturally, there will be some jostling for attention when a new dog appears on the scene. But in a few weeks you will all settle into one happy family.

It is important that your existing dog be well-trained and not have any annoying behavioral problems before you introduce another dog into your home. The reason for this is that dogs mimic. For example, if your dog is an excessive barker or digger the new dog may mimic this habit. If you have firmly established your leadership, then your existing dog will be a model of good behavior for your new one, and behavior problems will be kept to minimum.

You also need to make sure your new 4 legged freind is compatible in size, temperament and energy requirements with your existing dog.

A dog of the opposite sex is always best. This will reduce same-sex rivalry and make the new dog less threatening to the existing one.

Introduce the dogs outside. NOTE: Always when possible introduce them on NEUTRAL TERRITORY off your premises so the existing dog does not feel like it has to Defend it's territory. They should be walked together in this neutral territory until they relax around each other. Sometimes two or three days in a row before entering the existing dogs territory.

IMPORTANT: Never force them to stand face to face when introducing them. You are just asking for a fight. They need to sniff each others sides and butts to get to know each other when they are ready to do so.

Also, if you can leave them together outside for a good portion of a day before bringing them into the house, this will reduce their tendency to mark in the house. However, if one dog (both males and females Mark Territory) does mark in the house, say nothing, wash the spot and spray it with white vinegar and water solution. As soon as the dogs have worked out their dominant-submissive roles, urine marking or what appears to be house training accidents will diminish.

If the dogs get into a scuffle, growling, snarling, and fighting, let them be as long as they are not really hurting each other. Your tendency may be to rescue the underdog. It is important for you, however, to go to the dog that comes out on top in this scuffle, probably your existing dog. This recognition will help it establish Dominance. One of these dogs will have to be Dominant, the other Submissive. IT IS THE LAW OF A DOG'S PACK, IT IS HEREDITARY.............

After you have reinforced the dominant dog, go to the dog who comes out worse in the scuffle to help it understand and accept submission. Once they feel secure in these roles, the fighting will cease. Do not forget to give the existing dog the same amount of attention as before.

The best I can tell you again is: THIS IS NORMAL CANINE BEHAVIOR, let the dogs sort it out them selves with little interference from you. One has to be BOSS dog and one has to be happy about being second in command. AND: YOU may not realize it, but the UNDER DOG is also happy in "Dog World". They know the Laws Of The Pack instinctively.