Dog Introductions

Remember: Pick up resources (toys and food). Let them sniff.
You will need: a fenced in yard, leashes, a drag line (long lead), two people who can stay calm when dogs growl, your happiest voice and your best, most enticing treats.

Most dogs will get along —hurrah!—because dogs are good communicators. Just be prepared that their communication style involves barking, snarling, growling and snapping –aka “snarking off”. This is OK as long as no one gets injured and you should see this behavior go down as dogs figure each other out.
You are looking for loose, wiggly, relaxed body language or disinterest. Give your dogs a break from each other (see step 5, consent tests!) if you see stiffness or intense interest that isn’t play. 

Keep in mind: 

• Most dogs will squabble over resources (especially food and toys). When introducing dogs, make sure they get a chance to make a good first impression. Pick up food and toys. “Hey, that new dog is trying to take my stuff,” is NOT a good first impression. 
• As dogs get older, they tend to want to play less, are more selective about who they play with, and are less tolerant of the kinds of play they don’t like. This is OK. 
• Big on small: Be cautious when introducing dogs with a big size difference. It’s risky for littles due to their size. And their behaviors (like yelping, running) can trigger a big dog’s prey drive.
   

1. Do let the new dog explore the new house and yard on their own first (while the current dog is out on a walk would be helpful). 
2. Introduce the dogs outdoors in a place with ample space where you can safely drop leashes.  
3. Let the dogs drag their leashes (so you can pick the leashes up to separate them for breaks). Let the dogs focus on each other and get in their sniffs in their own way. 
4. After some sniffs, call the dogs away. Give each dog a chance to relax a bit. This is a good time to offer the individual dogs praise and treats for doing such a good job of meeting. 
5. Let the dogs sniff again and explore each other as they choose. 
6. Consent tests! Any time you are not sure if a dog is comfortable, call them away with happy talk. Use a leash or long lead to separate if needed. Then let the dog choose whether to reengage. 
7. After the outdoor intro, walk the dogs side by side before entering the home together. 
8. It’s always a good idea to feed dogs separately (even behind closed doors) and give them high-value chew or treats when they can enjoy them on their own. If you notice any snarling or growling over resources the best thing to do is manage this so that everyone can enjoy their own stuff without worry. Separate the dogs to enjoy treats. 

Did you know? Letting dogs meet head-to-head on leash restricts their usual greeting rituals and can cause tension. If you are going to let your dog say hi on lead, the best approach is to keep the leash loose, allow a few sniffs, and then happy talk and go–continue your walk–quickly. Then, treat your dog. 

Never: Hold, force, or even coax dogs to interact. The more you let dogs make choices, the better they will feel about making friends. Do calmly praise and reward positive interactions, including when dogs make the choice to “shake it off,” disengage, and take some time out to sniff if they are feeling stressed.