My dog dislikes others. How do I introduce a new puppy safely?

If your dog does not get along with other dogs it was probably a very bad idea (and a very stressful one) to bring a new puppy into the house. A new puppy can also be hard around a newborn as they aren't yet sure how to interact with each other. You can try to continue to get the two to get along by starting with limited introductions that are supervised, however if a fight breaks out the interaction should be stopped immediately and started again later. Never leave the two unsupervised together as even a good play sessions can cause accidental injury. You can also use baby gates as a way for the two to "meet" each other without being able to physically be together. If fights are continually breaking out, talking to a trainer or behaviorist that can observe within the home is best.

It is very important that you do not bring the new puppy directly into your home with the older dog there, he will become territorial and see the puppy a an intruder. Instead, take them both (separately--you'll need an assistant for this) to a neutral place where neither has ever been. Introduce them there, and after a few minutes of play the older dog should feel that he's bringing his new buddy home. Be sure the puppy has his own crate, toys, bowl, etc. Either breed should be fine; the temperament of the individual dogs is more important than the breed itself.

Below is some information to help you with the introduction process. Congratulations on your new puppy. If you do notice Tyson behaving aggressively sweperate then immediately. The most effective long term plan will be to reward Tyson when he is "gentle" with the puppy. Have that word as your command goal. Bringing a new puppy or dog into the home can be a great way to help revitalize your older dog's routine. Many owners often find that a second dog can help reduce stress and anxiety, and provide a playmate for their current dog. When introducing your new dog, taking things slow and following the below steps will best ensure the two dogs get along from the start! Provide a Personal Space Before ever bringing home your new dog, be sure to set aside a personal space for both the new dog and your old. This can include spaces such as a crate your dogs feel comfortable in, separate food and water bowls, and enough bedding for the two to each have their own spot at any time. Making sure there are multiples of prized objects can help reduce some of the competition over them and prevent a fight. Start the Introduction Behind Closed Doors Your dogs may have already met at the shelter or breeder, however starting off with a barrier between the two will help them to get to know each other without a fight. If your dogs get along great off the bat you may be able to skip this step, however if your dogs are a little nervous, placing a door, screen or baby gate between the two can help. This will allow them to get used to the sight and smell of each other without being able to cause harm. Monitor Meetings After the two dogs are used to each other through a visible gate, an introduction can begin. It is good to place leashes on each dog and keep the leashes dragging in case of an argument or if one dog becomes agitated. If at any time a fight occurs or someone becomes nervous, a leash can easily be grabbed on each dog to separate them until a later time. If they get along well, continue the session and end on a positive note. If at any time either dog becomes upset or agitated, separate the two and try again later. Don't worry if they don't get along right away, sometimes it takes a bit of time! Supervision is Key Until you are positive your dogs will get along great, make sure they are supervised when together at all times. This may also include picking up any contested toys or bones as well as monitoring the use of food or water dishes. If you do have to leave your dogs alone, it is best to separate them in different rooms or crates until you are sure they will get along well while you are away. Give Everyone Some Love! Having two dogs is a great way for your previous dog to have a new companion and to prevent boredom and increase exercise. However, each dog should also have some personal time with you without your newer (or older) dog there. Set aside time for a short training session or just some petting and grooming while your other dog is occupied with a bone or toy. Making sure each of your dogs new and old get some love will help keep your bond strong!

I'm so glad you and Bruno have a strong bond! I don't think it's a definite that he and another dog will fight when the puppy grows up. However, I would recommend that you introduce them carefully and slowly, and always monitor their interactions until you are certain that Bruno isn't going to play too rough with the puppy. In addition, I would consider having Bruno neutered, as testosterone increases aggressive tendencies and can certainly contribute to dog-on-dog aggression in some cases.

Poor Merlin! It sounds like he gets very upset around other dogs, which can be a challenging problem to work on in some cases. You will need to take things very slowly when introducing him to the new puppy - this will be hard for both of them, so be patient and stay positive. For now, I would recommend keeping them separated unless you are actively working on training with them - this will help to prevent any setbacks that may occur if they get into a fight. I would try to do several short training sessions each day if you can, no more than 5-10 minutes each. You will need another person to help you, and both dogs should be on-leash. Start with them on opposite sides of the room, and give treats for calm behavior while they are in the same room together. Over the next few days, if things are going well, you can gradually start to allow them to be closer together, still giving treats for calm behavior - if either dog becomes upset and starts to bark or growl, just move them further apart again. It may take several days or even weeks before they can safely be loose together, depending on how severe Merlin's problem is. If you are not seeing any improvement within the first week of starting this plan, I would strongly recommend getting in touch with a good reward-based trainer who can work with you in person. You can search for a qualified trainer in your area here: www.ccpdt.org

This can be a difficult question to answer because it will vary from dog to dog. The dog's personality will determine whether or not they adjust well to a new housemate. It does not necessarily matter whether the dog is older or younger. Some things you can do in the home when introducing new dogs are keeping the interactions very limited and making sure the dogs are under supervision the whole time they are getting to know each other. Also avoid feeding the dogs or giving them treats while they are together as this can sometimes cause aggressive behavior. Just be patient and work with the dogs individually and together and they should be able to get along fine. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

It sounds like Bruno has not been socialized well with other dogs, which does tend to make it difficult to introduce him to other dogs. Try introducing the dogs in neutral territory - like a park. If it's not their house, then they will be much less likely to fight. While having the muzzle on does add security, it can make the dog act aggressive. Same can happen if you are holding the dog or putting tension on the leash. The best and safest way to introduce them would be at a neutral place with a fence inbetween them. Let Bruno off lead to explore the other dog. If he's aggressive right away, then it won't work. If he's not aggressive and seems interested, then the next step would be to introduce them while walking on lead or in an open area off-lead. This is a bit more risky, so just make sure you're nearby to break up a fight, but don't be overbearing (i.e. holding the lead tight). I hope that helps and all goes well.