Midwoof Diaries: How do I introduce my dog to the new puppy?

We have been breeding Pomskies for the past ten years. Now that many of our first litters are older, we have had our owners come back for a second, third, sometimes fourth Pomsky. As responsible owners, one of the first questions I usually get is “How will my current dog react to the new puppy?” As with any situation where a person is increasing the size of the household, adding a new puppy changes the dynamics of the family. This is a great question to ask and it is important to be prepared.

Many dogs are thrilled to add a new puppy to their “pack” because it triggers their innate nurturing instincts, both female and male. We’ve had a one hundred pound Malamute as gentle as a kitten with his new three pound Pomsky sister; teaching her the ropes and loving her as his own. On the other hand, we have had dogs that took longer to warm up to their new fur sibling, but all eventually got over the initial shock of not being the only furbaby in the house and they bonded and accepted their new playmate.

It is important to prepare to introduce your dog with the new puppy with preparations in place to both preserve a sanctuary for your established pet and a safe place for the puppy. Having a separate sleeping area for the new puppy is a great place to start. Many owners like to crate train their puppies until they can “trust” that the puppy is able to hold his/her potty all night. Playtime can be separated with baby gates or a puppy playpen, just in case the older dog needs a break from the puppy or vice versa. Dogs can be possessive of their owners and homes, so it is important to both bond with the new puppy, but also pay a lot of attention to the older dog so that he/she doesn’t feel replaced.

Here are some ways to prepare before adding a new puppy to your family:

·        Talk to the breeder of the puppy in depth about the temperament of the puppy or puppies you are considering. Keeping in mind the personality traits of your established pet is also very important. Try to choose a puppy that has a personality that will be compatible with your dog.

·        Make sure your dog is up to date on vet visits, vaccines, and is parasite free (it happens, the ground is full of pesky parasites)

·        Find a safe, neutral location where your dog can meet his/her new puppy sibling for the first time, especially if you are concerned about your dog being territorial.

·        Give lots of positive reinforcement to your dog during the introduction process. Make sure he/she knows that you still love him/her and they are safe.

·        Be mindful of body language. If the older dog is showing signs of stress or the puppy is being too exuberant, intervene and guide them/give breaks.

·        Have a safe space for both the dog and the puppy to be separately so that they can both adjust; the dog to the new puppy and the puppy to his/her new environment.

Steps for introduction:

1.        Arrange the first meeting in a neutral location, if possible. This could even be your driveway or a neighbor’s yard. Somewhere that is not the “special” spot of your established pet.

2.        Allow the dog to sniff the puppy and the puppy to sniff the dog while keeping the dog on a leash and either holding the puppy or keeping it on a leash.

3.        If you can have more than one person involved in the introduction, all the better.

4.        Spend enough time with the puppy and the dog during the introduction that they can be as comfortable and hopefully as excited as possible about the situation.

5.        Puppies need discipline and can get excited easily while older dogs (just like older human siblings) may be less excitable and irritated if bothered. Make sure you support your older dog during this stage and give the puppy boundaries, while also giving the dog boundaries to protect the puppy.

6.        Enjoy watching your dog and your puppy forge a strong bond where they always have a playmate and another pet to provide comfort when you are not around.

People add new pets to their households all the time! If you are properly prepared and ready to establish boundaries, discipline, and training, the process will go much more smoothly. There is also a huge benefit in training a puppy with an older dog at home to be his/her mentor and “show the ropes”. Pomskies bond very well with both humans and their fur-siblings, they love being part of a pack!