👯 Do you know how to introduce dog to visiting dog?

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October 23, 2020 12:56pm EDT

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7 practical tips on how to introduce dog to visiting dog

You never know when your relatives will drop by for a visit and bring their dog around or when your friends will ask you to board their pets for a night or two. Moreover, introducing your dog to a visiting dog is an excellent way to judge how your dog would accept a new puppy.

That’s why knowing how to introduce your dog to a visiting dog might come in handy.

Consider The Dogs’ Personality
Think about how your pet reacts to the presence of other dogs. Is the dog pushy, timid, or aggressive? Note that sometimes, keeping the dogs separated might be the best course of action.

Choose a Neutral Ground
For example, you can go to the dog park, a nearby field, or a parking lot. Never allow friends/family to leave their visiting dogs inside the house without proper introductions.

Have the Dogs Leashed
You never know how your dog will react to a visiting dog or how the other dog will behave. You’ll be able to separate the two dogs immediately and do damage control.

Introduce From A Distance
In the neutral location you’ve chosen, walk your dog 30-50 feet away from the visiting dog and their owner. Another way to introduce dogs on a walk is to walk them towards each other.

Observe the Body Language
Watch out for signs of aggression, such as: raised hackles, rigid or tense body, snarling, pulled-back lips and showing teeth, lunging, licking lips and yawning.
Separate the dogs immediately and don’t wait for the situation to escalate.
Try again when both dogs are relaxed and calm.

Supervise
Even if the dogs were on their best behavior outside, you never know how your dog would react when another “invades” their territory.

Take Preventive Measures

Don’t allow the visiting dog to use your pet’s toys and bed.
Feed the dogs in separate rooms.
Pay an equal amount of attention to both dogs.
Ask the owner for instructions and their vet’s number.
Make sure that both dogs are up-to-date with their shots and are healthy.

Introducing your dog to a visiting dog isn’t rocket science, but it takes time and requires good management abilities and steel nerves.

👯 Do you know how to introduce dog to visiting dog?

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