Introducing New Dogs to Your Pack: Tips to a Smooth Transition

Introducing dogs to each other is an "experience," to put it lightly. I have a healthy pack of 3 at home, 4 if you count their pack leader—me. But we haven't always been the all-for-one, one-for-all crew we are now. In fact, those early days were a little contentious. Pixie, my terrier, was the last to join us from the shelter, where I volunteer several times a year.

Feisty with a heart full of confidence, she instantly tried to claim everything in my home for herself—including my lab mix, Bruno's oversized floor pillow. And he wasn't having it—as the gentle giant growled and bared his teeth.

Needless to say, I didn't know how to introduce dogs to each other back then. Rookie mistakes galore! And I would do it differently now.

Here’s what I learned from that experience—and how you can ensure a smoother transition than we had when introducing a new dog to your home.

Why Proper Introductions Are So Important

How would you feel if someone you don't know suddenly moved into your house? One day, you get home from the gym to find this stranger sitting on your sofa, feet up on your coffee table, drinking that bottle of wine you'd saved for a special occasion.

Dogs feel the same way. Dogs are pack animals by nature. So, introducing a new member can disrupt the existing hierarchy and sense of territory. Without proper introductions, this can lead to confusion, tension, or even conflicts between your fur babies.

On the other hand, proper introductions:

• Reduce stress for all dogs involved
• Set clear expectations and boundaries for the new arrival
• Encourage healthy relationships between pack members

Looking back, I realized that the key to harmony was me—I needed to be the calm, confident leader who guided everyone through this transition. Not the fearful dog mom who leaped in and yanked Bruno back before he tore into someone who would later become one of his best friends.

So, what would I do differently now?

Step-by-Step: How to Introduce Dogs to Each Other

1. Make Intros in a Neutral Location

I brought Pixie home as if she were a "surprise" everyone would instantly love. Big mistake!

If I had a redo, I would have taken Bruno to pick Pixie up. We would have made introductions in the parking lot, on the sidewalk, or in a nearby park.

Bruno loves to meet dogs at the dog park, so I wasn't working with his strengths.

In a neutral location, they could have sniffed each other to realize, "We're all good pups here."

2. Introducing Dogs to Each Other with Leashes

I was so afraid a much bigger Bruno would pounce on Pixie, the bed thief. I would have felt calmer if they had each been on a leash. I could have invited my partner or a friend to the meetup. Then, we could slowly introduce them while maintaining control.

3. Watch for Signs of Tension

Raised hackles, bared teeth, aggressive barking, or growling are not great signs. If I saw these, I would separate them, calm each one, and then give them a training treat.

We would then try again.

4. Parallel Walks (It's a Magic Trick)

As the dogs get to know each other, it's helpful to engage in an activity most dogs know together. Most dogs know how to walk on a leash. So, we could have walked side by side or let Bruno lead so he wouldn't feel his "pack leader" status was being challenged.

Walking is also exercise, so it can alleviate anxiety and make the meeting more easy-going.

5. Introducing a New Dog to Your Home

It's one thing to meet a new dog at the park. It's something else to realize they're coming home with you. So, once we got home, I would have let Pixie stay outside with a partner or friend while Bruno went back inside the house as usual. I would give him a treat and show him affection.

Then, I would have my friend bring Pixie in on a leash and let her walk around while Bruno and I watched. If you don't have a friend to help, you can guide your "Pixie". It still works.

If tensions still seem a little high, we can keep this meeting brief. Pixie was crate-trained, so she spent the night in her crate with a cozy blanket. It was her den—a safe space that was just hers. Bruno had free-roam of the house. We could then let her out, take them on walks together, and give her more freedom in the home.

6. Supervise Dog Pack Behavior

For the first week, supervise as much as possible and observe pack behavior. In most cases, the new dog will accept that your existing dog is the top dog.

Here are some pack behaviors every dog parent should learn to recognize:

• Tail Wagging. A loose wag is friendly; a stiff, high wag means, “I’m watching you.”
• Growling. Not always a bad thing. Bruno growled to set boundaries. I just didn't realize it at the time and I overreacted. Pixie learned to respect him when I let him growl and snap at her. This isn't aggression. It's communication.
• Play Bows. As Bruno became more comfortable with Pixie, he would slowly approach her and stretch into a playful bow. This was an invitation to play.

7. Address Unhealthy Pack Dynamics

There's also Velcro Dog behavior. I don't really know what to call this. But it's when the new dog follows the other dog or the dog parent around and can't be alone for a minute. It can mean that the pack leader suddenly has no "me time" which can start to wear on their nerves. It's important to redirect this clinginess by giving your dogs a mentally stimulating task.

I choose meaty beef marrow dog bones. They're like dog puzzles with nutritious bone marrow as the reward.

I give each pup a marrow bone that's appropriately sized and they go to their favorite places—Bruno's big pillow and Pixie's crate—and gnaw, lick, and enjoy their alone time.

For dogs, gnawing on bones in an instinctual behavior. So, it can alleviate boredom, reduce anxiety, stop destructive chewing, and help them thrive together—even when they don't have their bone.

Resource guarding is another big one. Bruno guarded both dog bowls and his toys when they were too close together. I learned to feed them at opposite sides of the room and give them their own toys in their designated places.

Dogs have unique personalities that can take some getting used to. Pixie’s high energy was too much for Bruno. And I had to redirect her with dog treats or a dog bone to teach her appropriate play behavior.

8. High Value Training Treats Make It Easier

I keep high value training treats like beef lung bites in a dog treat pouch on my body so I'm ready to reward positive behavior. Over time, this helped improve our pack dynamics and ability to live together as a happy family.

Training plays a huge role in creating harmony between dogs. Commands like “leave it” and “place” can prevent conflicts and create a more peaceful home. Check out our Free 7-Day Dog Training Challenge.

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