Introducing new and old

If only introducing a new dog to the resident dog or cat were as simple as a pawshake.

In the animal world, territoriality and social hierarchy dominate even the first meeting. Before you start the introduction, it’s important to accept that your pets may never be “best buddies,” but will likely learn to tolerate each other. It is also important to move slowly during the introduction process.

If introducing a new dog to your resident dog, do so in a neutral location unfamiliar to both, such as a park or a neighbor’s yard. Both dogs should be on a leash, handled by different people. Make sure the person handling the new dog is a neutral party — not your dog’s best friend. If you are adopting your new dog from an animal shelter, many shelters encourage you to bring your resident dog to the shelter to introduce the dogs there and to determine if they get along.

While leashed, let the dogs sniff each other and get acquainted. Use lots of positive reinforcement with “happy talk” and food treats. Carefully observe the dogs’ body language. For example, a “play bow” indicates things are going well. If the dogs respond aggressively to each other, with teeth-baring, deep growling or prolonged staring, quickly separate them. Each handler should call his dog’s attention to something else, before starting the introduction process again, but this time at a greater distance and for a shorter period of time. Be vigilant if you are introducing a young puppy to an adult dog. Puppies have boundless energy and often don’t yet know the subtle body language of adult dogs.

If all goes well on-leash, let the dogs interact freely but allow their leashes to drag so that the handlers can easily grab those leashes if things escalate. Remove the leashes if everything continues to go well. If you have more than one resident dog, introduce them separately to the new dog.

Once home, feed the dogs in separate rooms at first. A few meals later, feed them at opposite ends of the same room. Slowly bring them closer together during feeding time, carefully observing that neither dog is eating the other’s food and that they are relaxed eating in each other’s company. If you offer treats/toys, make sure you have enough for both to minimize tension.

Animal behaviorists from the Humane Society of the U.S. advise, “It is important to support the dominant dog in the home, even if it turns out to be the newcomer.” Do not impose your preference for which dog should be dominant.

If the dogs fight frequently, they may be incompatible. Habits form quickly, so consult immediately with a professional trainer.

To introduce the new dog to your resident cat, put the dog on-leash and make sure the cat has an “escape route” to a place the dog can’t reach, such as a high shelf or over a baby gate into another room. If the cat and dog seem to be getting along and are calm in each other’s presence, let the dog move freely but dragging the leash. Again, use positive reinforcement to reward good behavior in both pets. If the dog tries to chase the cat, step on the leash immediately and correct his behavior. Be especially careful if you have an old or sick cat, who might find it difficult to run from the dog.

When you leave home in the first few weeks, keep the animals in separate rooms, even if they are getting along. It might take several weeks before your new dog is trained well enough to be left unsupervised with another dog or cat.

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For families on fixed or low incomes: $25 cat spay, June 25. Limited spaces, must make an appointment. Call the Lynchburg Humane Society at (434) 846-1438.