Don't give your dogs the run of the house until they are well introduced. Initially, leash both dogs, remove toys and any item that could cause competition. Don't distract them by petting or talking. Let them sniff politely. If all goes well drop leashes and let them play. Read on for a step-by-step progression.
Excerpted from "Hip Ideas for Hyper Dogs" Chapter 9 Bringing home another dog.HOME AT LAST, BUT NOT HOME FREE
Given a proper introduction and enough supervised time to get used to each other, dogs almost invariably become good friends within a matter of weeks. In fact, you’ll want to crate and
obedience-train them separately to prevent them from bonding so tightly that they think they have no need of you!
If you have a choice in the matter, experts generally say that the safest bet is opposite genders, with both dogs being altered. But any other combination can work. I’ve had up to six dogs of both sexes living together at one time, and have boarded and trained dogs of all sorts over the years.
If you’ve never introduced two dogs before, you may be amazed at how easy it is. Hyper dogs in particular love companionship and will generally welcome another dog – although in his enthusiasm, he may overwhelm the less effusive dog. Here are a few suggestions to make the process go as smoothly as possible:
• Once you’ve brought the new dog home, let her relax and investigate the premises without interference from your hyper dog; take him out for a good walk and an obedience refresher, either tying the new dog up or enlisting the help of a friend or family member to keep an eye on her while you’re occupied. Alternatively, confine him in his crate or another room while the new dog explores your home.
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Practice obedience training with your hyper dog in the new dog’s presence, using her as a distraction during sneakaways, downs, stays, comes and leave its. This will change his emotional state, and establish once again in his mind that it’s your house – not his.
• Put your hyper dog into a sit-stay and ignore him while petting, talking to, playing with and feeding the new dog. Reward him lavishly when he obeys, correct him when he doesn’t.
• For their first free-play session together, take them both into a medium-sized room that’s large enough for them to move around freely, but small enough to keep either one from taking off at full speed. Drop their leashes and let them get acquainted.
• Guard against doorway confrontations by closing doors.
• Prevent fights over toys and food by removing anything that makes one of them feel possessive. There are certain items you may never be able to have in your home if you have two dogs – including flavored nylon bones or rawhide treats. Oh well.
• Expect a certain amount of sniffing, growling, posturing, even biting. As Sue Sternberg explains in her outstanding book Successful Dog Adoption, dogs have their own play styles that can include rough-and-tumble body contact, chasing or being chased, mouth wrestling, and sudden explosions of activity. It’s all normal. If your dogs’ play styles are incompatible, with one dominating the other, don’t give them the opportunity to get too wound up. Neither dog will be psychologically damaged by having their desire for all-out crazy play restrained.
• If all goes well in your medium-sized room, take them outside into a fenced-in area. First practice some obedience. Then, without removing their leashes, set them free to get better acquainted under your watchful eye.
• When your instinct tells you that they’re getting along so well that your intervention won’t be required, you’re probably right; go ahead and remove their leashes.
One other word of warning: As the two dogs bond, they might begin acting like kids, or even worse, teenagers, and fuel each other’s desire to make mischief. If you find that they’re conspiring to raid the garbage, shred newspapers and magazines, dig up the garden, charge passersby, or embark on any other naughty adventures, check out Chapter 10, “Hyper Troubleshooting.”
