|
I hope you and your dog(s) had a great summer. It certainly has been a hot one in the Bay Area.
Fall is in the air and a welcome cooling trend seems be coming. A little rain/drizzle today is a hopeful sign for much needed rain for California. Let's keep our fingers crossed that we have a wet one this year.
Have a safe and wonderful Halloween!
|
|
Introducing Your Dog to a Strange Dog
|
|
Clients frequently ask me how to introduce their dog to unfamiliar dogs.
Many dog owners want friends to bring their dog over for play dates and socialization and visa versa. They want to be able to bring their dog to family functions and maybe have friends or family be their dog sitter from time to time.
One should always be cautious when introducing dogs who do not know each other in a home situation. Taking precautions and following a safe protocol can make the introductions go smoothly and avoid the risk of injury to the dogs and owners.
|
How to Safely Introduce Unfamiliar Dogs to Each Other
1. Meet on Neutral Territory
One can never be certain how a dog will react to another dog especially coming into their territory unexpectedly.
So be extra cautious If you are uncertain how one (or both) of the dogs will react. It is best to have dogs meet on neutral grounds. Choose a place where neither dog is likely to feel territorial. Even your dog's favorite park may elicit territorial feelings. Plan on spending at least 30 minutes of introduction before bringing the dogs home. If both dogs have exhibited good social behavior at a dog park this can be a safe place to introduce them since dogs are used to meeting strange dogs there. Otherwise you can meet several blocks from your home and introduce the dogs on a walk in your neighborhood.
2. Use Leashes and Walk Dogs Together
If you are meeting a few blocks from your home have each dog on lead, each with a calm, relaxed adult handler. I like to have each dog across the street from each other to see how the dogs react. If the dogs seem relaxed then I will bring the dogs closer together while walking until both handlers are walking side by side.
Keep the leashes loose, tension on the leash can communicate fearfulness or anxiety about their meeting. Walk the dogs side by side with a safe distance between the dogs. Then, cross paths (still maintaining that distance) and allow the dogs to smell where the other has walked.
If the dogs seem relaxed I will let one follow the other dog and get close enough to sniff the other dog from the behind. If this goes well I will switch places and have the other dog do the same. If there is no reactive behavior such as growling or defensive posturing then I will let the dogs do a full greeting.
3. No Nose to Nose Greeting
Next, let the dogs meet. Let the dogs approach each other with loose leashes but pay attention to their body language.
Do not allow nose-to-nose greetings. This type of greeting is very stressful for many dogs, especially those who are fearful or feel threatened by eye contact. For these dogs, nose-to-nose greetings may cause them to make a bad decision and bite. When dogs first look into each others' eyes, the appropriate behavior is to give a glance and then look away. A hard stare into another dog's eyes is a challenge - not a friendly way to greet.
If they stiffen their bodies and stare into each other's eyes with their hair up and their teeth bared, they probably aren't going to become fast friends. If they lunge at each other and try to fight, separate them and don't try further introductions without help from someone with experience in dog training and behavior.
If the dogs try to play by pawing or play-bowing with their legs stretched out in front of them, they may want to be best buddies. Allow them to sniff each other, and give praise for a nice greeting.
4. Disclaimer
If your dog, or the one you want to introduce her to, routinely fights with other dogs, think twice. If either dog has caused significant injury, think three times. If you must introduce the dogs, get help from a knowledgeable trainer before you proceed. Most dogs, even argumentative ones, are able to make some dog friends.
|
Is Your Dog Getting Bored With His or Her Daily Routine?
Sign her up for a Dog Squad NoseWork Class Yes Sign Us Up
|
