Introducing a puppy to the existing pets in a household is accomplished positively if the established house-pet is acknowledged before the puppy is acknowledged.
1. Before bringing puppy home, feed your established pet a partial meal.
2. When you bring the puppy home, bring your pet outside to greet the puppy. If you have a particularly dominant-type pet, arrange this meeting a block or so from your home.
3. Walk the pet with the puppy (however well you can get the puppy to walk!) and let the existing pet sniff the puppy all he wants. Stay outside for forty-five minutes to an hour.
4. Take the pet and puppy into the house and just walk around the house for ten to fifteen minutes, letting everyone get adjusted to a new body in the house.
5. Feed the established pet another partial meal and let puppy watch.
6. Feed the established pet again, and this time put a bowl down for puppy. If the other pet comes to the puppy's bowl, tell him "No." Whenever you feed your animals, feed the older ones first, but make them respect the puppy's bowl.
Rebecca Prescott
Rebecca is a writer with an interest in pets and health. She takes care of her Mum's cattle dog cross, Ginger, and owns 4 cats.
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said this on 09 Nov 2009 3:37:50 AM EST
We have a different case: We had to put our 12yo dominent Bullmastive to sleep a few weeks ago. Our GDS was very submissive to her but now totally confused and taking strain from being seperated. She is now alone. We have rescued two 7 week old collie cross pups both male. We have been introducing slowly with the GSD on a leish. The GSD does not know any other dog and is now 8 yo so is confused at these balls of fluff and not sure if she should bite them or de flea them.
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