(By Debbie Winkler CABC, CPDT and Dorothy Ruck, BA, MPA)

Imagine moving into a new home but you had no idea you were moving in the first place. And guess what? There is another person living in your new home! Imagine the chaos that could ensue – two complete strangers are suddenly sharing the same space that one used to have all to him/herself. Now imagine that you bring a new dog into your home. How do you think the new dog and the established dog will adjust to each other? Here are some tips to help make the introductions go as smoothly as possible.

• Introduce the new dog to the established dog on neutral territory at least 3 times so they have the opportunity to become acquainted before the new dog enters the established dog's territory.

• Allow the new dog to investigate the new home several times a day while leashed, when the established dog is outside or otherwise occupied.

• When the established dog is present, keep the new dog confined, but able to see, smell, and hear the established dog so they can communicate.  This will also give you a chance to observe their interactions to get an idea of how they are adjusting to each other's presence.

• When both dogs seem to want to interact in the home playfully, begin to schedule several short playtime periods everyday (each lasting just a few minutes), gradually increasing the time until the dogs are not separated anymore.

• Feed each dog in separate areas and pick up the food bowls/containers before the dogs are together again. This can help to prevent food resource guarding.

• The toys that are food related or favorite toys of the established dog’s should be removed before the dogs are allowed to interact.

• Walk both dogs, using 2 people, having them head in the same direction several times a day.  This will allow them to get used to each other's presence on neutral territory and will help them get acquainted.

• If an altercation occurs, DO NOT correct either dog – it is communication between them that is necessary. Contact a qualified behavior consultant immediately for advice specific to your situation.

• Never leave dogs unsupervised if they have not had enough time to become friendly with each other.

Here are some things to remember about newly adopted dogs and puppies:

• Your home will be at least the 3^rd home your newly adopted dog/puppy has known – his/her original home, the shelter or foster home, and your home.

• Adopted dogs have never had forewarning about anything – they have just been moved from place to place. This can create some uncertainty in your dog until he/she gets used to your home.

• Keep in mind that grabbing at, hugging, and kissing are all primate behaviors, not canine behaviors. Many dogs can learn to tolerate and even enjoy these things once they are comfortable with a particular person (or people). Think how you would feel if a total stranger grabbed you and held you close!

• Grabbing a dog by the collar can be perceived by a dog as very threatening and can provoke a bite.  Grabbing any collar, especially a collar that will tighten around the dog’s throat, affects the dog's ability to breathe and swallow. Think about what you would experience if someone grabbed you around the throat.

• In order for a dog to trust , familiarity and predictability are necessary.

Key points for bringing a new dog into you home:

• Allow the dog to explore your home while leashed for several days and do not force him/her into any area if there is resistance.

• Use gates to keep your dog with you until you are certain that he/she is comfortable and behaves predictably in your home.

• Use barriers such as doors or gates, or a leash, to prevent your dog from slipping out of any open doors.

• It is best if the dog sleeps in the same area as the owner, even if the dog is crated. This simulates natural pack behavior and promotes a feeling of safety and security. Pack animals always share a defined space while sleeping.

• Keep water available for your dog/puppy at all times.  Don't ever limit your dog's/puppy's access to water. If your dog is crated, you can use a water bottle or bowl designed for use with crates if he/she knocks water bowls over.

• Take your dog to the same area of the yard to eliminate and praise and give a treat as soon as he/she finishes urinating or defecating.

• Choose pull control harnesses for walking instead of choke or prong collars if your dog has a tendency to pull on the leash.

• Enroll your dog/puppy in a training class about 2 weeks after obtaining him/her. Choose an instructor who uses motivational training and who does not promote the use of choke, prong, or shock collars.

• Ask visitors who come into your home to ignore your dog by not looking at, touching, or speaking to him/her until you are certain your dog is comfortable interacting with guests.

• Recognize that protecting food and toys is normal canine behavior and is known as resource guarding. Choose a qualified animal behavior consultant to help reduce this behavior instead of trying to change it yourself.

• Establish a routine for feeding, walking, exercising, etc, to help your dog get used to a predictable environment. Knowing what to expect is comforting to your dog and will help him/her adjust to your home.

• Take very brief trips (5 minutes or less) with your dog in the car, using a sear belt harness for restraint, to help him/her gradually get used to riding in the car.

• When walking your dog, if he/she becomes fearful or agitated by another dog, child, adult, or object, immediately turn around so the dog understands that you recognize the distress and that you are handling it.  This may prevent your dog from developing unwanted behavior as a response to things that may upset him/her.

• Use treats to help your dog make a positive association with things that might be perceived as threatening, i.e., visitors, vacuum cleaners, hair dryers, musical instruments, alarm clocks, etc.  However, give the treats before your dog reacts negatively to anything he might consider to be threatening.

• Do not correct problems because this can be perceived by your dog as threatening; instead, teach your dog the behavior you want and reinforce that behavior with praise and a treat EVERY time the dog exhibits that behavior until it becomes almost second nature to your dog.

• Contact your rescue for a behavior consultant as soon as an undesirable behavior occurs. A behavior consultant can help you manage the behavior in a constructive way.

• Never let them interact immediately with the established dog, give 3 days, depending on the dogs to ensure they will get along.

• Feed them in separate rooms to start. Even after you can feed them in the same room, keep them on opposite sides of the room and YOU stay in the room while they eat. Never free feed.

• Monitor the dogs and never leave them alone together, not even for a minute.

• Do not play interactive games with the new dog and the established dog together.

• Do not teach the new dog any behaviors until he is acclimated to his new environment.

• Contain the new dog either in an exercise pen (my favorite) or a crate while you are out of the room.

• Take the new dog out to potty very often, more than one time in an hour while he is learning how to behave in his new home.

• Patience, patience, patience... you are at least the third or fourth home for this dog. The original home, the shelter, a foster and now you. Realize this poor dog is new at all of this and you are very familiar with how you want him to act in your home. He is the new kid on the block. With time and patience, he will be the best dog ever...