When bringing a new dog into the home, your resident pooch may be a little put-off. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to ensure both pups have a happy introduction and the start of a beautiful friendship. The caring veterinarians at O’Fallon Veterinary Medical Center in Missouri offer the following advice to pet owners to get their animals acquainted.

Veterinarian’s Guide to Introducing Pups

1. Arrange the First Meeting at Home

You have the best chance of a stress-free meet up if you introduce both dogs outside the house. Since your existing dog may be territorial, have them meet in the yard before bringing the new one inside. Let the old dog stay in the yard for a while after you take in the new one, as this establishes the visitor is now part of the family. If you sense any hostility, separate the animals and wait a bit before trying again.

2. Keep Them on Leashes

When you do the initial meeting, keep both dogs on leashes. Since you don’t know how either animal will react, having them restrained allows you to pull them away if they express signs of aggression. Don’t leave the pups together unattended when you’re away from home until you’re sure they are comfortable with one another.  

3. Don’t Rush It

Allow your pets time to get acquainted with each other at their own pace. It can take time, and forcing dogs together before they’re ready may result in serious injury. Also, how they react to each other in the first meeting will likely determine their relationship going forward. Forcing it quickly could lead to sour interactions.

Follow the veterinarian-approved tips above and your pups will become fast friends. For trusted pet care, turn to O’Fallon Veterinary Medical Center. In addition to providing advice on how to integrate pets, they offer everything from routine vaccinations to emergency attention. If you’d like to schedule an appointment with a seasoned veterinarian, call (636) 272-3100 today. Read testimonials from satisfied pet owners by visiting them online.