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Are you thinking of adding a new furry friend to your family? If you already live with an older dog, you may be wondering how he’ll react to a new face walking through the door.
While all families and dogs are different, the good news is that most dogs will adjust well to a second pup in the family. So long as you take certain precautions to maintain both dogs’ mental and physical health, you should be able to hit the ground running!
Introducing a Second Dog to Your Home
Meet somewhere neutral.
Opt to meet somewhere open and neutral, like a park or quiet neighborhood. Avoid busy or compact areas. You want both dogs to have space. Take a walk together first before any off-leash interaction or play time. This gives you a chance to gauge your dog’s response and control short, appropriate greetings.
Take walks side by side.
Enlist the help of a friend or family member and ask them to walk with one of your dogs. Not only is this also a neutral space to meet but the walk is a great distraction for both dogs. Start walks at least 10 feet apart and praise
Keep some distance
No one knows your dog better than you. While some are incredibly playful, others need a little more time to warm up. Typically, experts suggest letting both dogs sniff around and get to know each other will ensure both of their safety. While a walk can help during the initial meet and greet, it’s also important to keep distance when meeting in the home as well. One way to do this is by keeping the pup behind a fence or in his crate during the first meeting at home and is a way to let them slowly get used to each other’s presence (this is especially important if there’s a big size difference between the two).
Praise and reward good behavior.
When your dogs play nicely together, lick one another, or help each other, reward their friendship and encourage that behavior. Especially at first, it’s important to pay attention to good (or bad) body language, vocalizations, or behavior.
If you’re worried about leaving your puppy at home, you may want to consider Camp Bow Wow’s day care! With structured play time and reward-based training available at many Camps, we’re here to help make the transition as smooth as possible!
Are you looking to be a part of a low-risk, high-growth industry with high rates of repeat customers and a business model that ramps up quickly? If so, we think it’s time you joined the Pack!
To receive your complimentary executive summary and learn more about franchise opportunities, fill out the form below or call us at (870) 600-2713. We’re looking forward to having you join the Camp Bow Wow family.