How to safely introduce an anxious dog to new dogs when moving in?

Always introduce dogs in neutral territory. So, not on the property at all. Somewhere like a local park so they can meet each other without anyone being territorial. Do this a few times before moving in. Keep both dogs on leashes so you have control over them if things go awry. If the dogs are not spayed/neutered that should be done because raging hormones often causes fights especially when females are in heat. I would also suggest start using Adaptil diffusers (calming dog pheromones) in the house starting a couple days prior to moving and refill them every 30 days for the first couple months. I would also get Adaptil collars for both dogs to wear starting a few days prior to the first meeting. These particular calming chews (Solliquin) also help quite a bit. https://worldtails.securevetsource.com/site/view/198944_HomeDelivery.pml?s=adaptil&hierarchy=&sort=score%20desc https://worldtails.securevetsource.com/itemView/view/198944_HomeDelivery.pml?productId=117298

You're right that there can sometimes be problems when introducing two dogs for the first time, especially if either of them has any history of aggression towards other dogs. I would recommend introducing them in a neutral place at first, like a park. Keep both dogs on leash, let them sniff each other briefly, then go for a walk together. This allows the dogs to get used to each other's presence without feeling pressured to interact. After the walk, take them both home and into the house together and if things are going well, let them off-leash to relax. If things don't go smoothly, it would be best to get help from a veterinary behaviorist (ideally) or a good reward-based trainer who can work with you in person. You can search for a behaviorist in your area here: www.dacvb.org or a qualified trainer here: www.ccpdt.org.

Great question! I can give you a method of introducing Junior to this dog that will hopefully allow them to live together in peace. Introducing them should be done slowly. When you first move into your new home, I would keep them in rooms separated by a door. This way, they can get used to the smells and sounds of each other without contact. Make sure Junior has a litter box, food, and water in their room. You can also place a blanket with the dog's smell in his room, and a blanket with theJunior's smell in the dog's room. I would also consider get a Feliway for your cat and a DAP for the dog. These are pheromone diffusers that help with anxiety and should also help ease the transition. Once both pets seem relaxed with the current situation, swap rooms placing Junior in the dog's room and vice versa. You can do this switch several times over the course of the introductions. Once they are both comfortable with the smells of each other, it's time for them to meet face to face. I would introduce the dog on a leash to Junior while he is in a cat carrier or on the other side of a baby gate. Reward the dog for being calm and quiet near your cat. Once they seem comfortable with each other, the baby gate can be taken away. Make sure Junior has a cat tree where he can escape from the dog as needed, and don't allow the dog to chase Junior. Good luck, I hope this helps!

The most important thing you can do, if they do not already know each other, is to introduce them on neutral territory where neither of them has been before. That will avoid the initial "territorial" problem if one dog is brought into the new home with the other dog already there. I would suggest neutering the intact male, several weeks before the transfer if possible. A well-bred Siberian (and that could be the iffy part for you, depending on where he comes from) is not usually aggressive towards other dogs. I have had Siberians with Finnish Spitz, Norwegian Elkhounds, German Shepherd Dogs, and Belgian Malinois over a forty-year span and never had a problem. Be sure that the resident dog's schedule changes as little as possible, as the more his environment becomes disorganized the more upset he'll be. You can bring over a towel that the new dog has slept on for a sort of pre-meet 'n' greet so that the scent is familiar. A "towel exchange," with each dog getting the other's used one, is even better. If you find you need additional help, you can click on the prompt and start a consult, where we can discuss this at length. Good luck!

Great questions! Given that Benny has severe travel anxiety, it would be best for you and him to move in first so that he can get used to his new place. Then your best friend and boyfriend should move it with their dog. I can give you a method for introducing them to each other: Introducing them should be done slowly. When they first bring their dog home, I would keep them in rooms separated by a door. This way, they can get used to the smells and sounds of each other without contact. Make sure Benny has a litter box, food, and water in his room. You can also place a blanket with the dog's smell in the cat's room, and a blanket with the cat's smell in the dog's room. I would also consider get a Feliway for your cat and a DAP for the dog. These are pheromone diffusers that help with anxiety and should also help ease the transition. Once both pets seem relaxed with the current situation, swap rooms placing Benny in the dog's room and vice versa. You can do this switch several times over the course of the introductions. Once they are both comfortable with the smells of each other, it's time for them to meet face to face. I would introduce the dog on a leash to Benny while he is in a cat carrier or on the other side of a baby gate. Reward the dog for being calm and quiet near the cat. Once they seem comfortable with each other, the baby gate can be taken away. Make sure Benny has a cat tree where he can escape from the dog as needed, and don't allow the dog to chase Benny. Good luck, I hope this helps!

I suggest you put some Feliway diffusers in your house starting about a week before the dog is to come over. This is basically "happy cat" pheromones and they really work to decrease stress. Their website has a lot of great information. ( https://www.feliway.com/uk/Products/FELIWAY-CLASSIC-Diffuser ) Also, make a "safe space" for your cat so that, if needed, she can get away from the dog. The best way to do this is to put a baby gate up across the door to one room so that the cat can get in but the dog can't. Put the litter box, food and water in there. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Move-in can always be both fun and stressful for humans and pets are like. The most important thing for you to do is to make sure that both pets get daily exercise. Even though they don’t spend a lot of time outside, they have always had the option to burn off energy if they need to. Making sure this is done routinely every day and at the same time will help the anxious dog to feel more secure. Dogs are creatures of habit and they do best when they know what to expect. Establish a routine for exercise, feeding and training early and try to stick with it. If your pets have trouble in the beginning, you may ask or hire someone to come over mid day to take them for a walk. If they are going to be crated in the new apartment, go ahead and start getting them used to that now.