Blending Pets in the home

It does not matter if you are bringing home a puppy, or an adult dog with or without pedigree. All dogs have a similar time line. The first few months is your honeymoon phase. It is when they are learning the basics of the household (where when and how they get fed, who each member of the house is, etc) then they begin to push for boundary lines, rules, expectations, and pecking order. This where we usually get your call . Dogs will excel in home with rules, guidance and structure. It is important to have all family members on the same page and in agreement of the expectations and house rules.

Dogs are pack animals so they will need to know what their job is and how they fit into your family. Dogs instinctively are driven to establish and know their position within the group. It works best if that position is assigned and enforced by you. This will prevent any scuffles or fighting for advancement between the existing dog and the new one. An easy way to do this is to assign position#1 to the dog you have had the longest and then on down the line.
Everything goes in this order (nail trims, feeding, treats, brushing, bathing, leashing, etc) if your new pup takes from the existing dog, remove it from him and return it. If the new pup, Bumps, knocks around, or pushes your current dog out of the way, then immediately get involved.. correct and move the new pup away.
Do not allow staring, glaring, or posturing from the new addition.
If both dogs realize that each has an assigned and protected pecking order then both dogs will relax due to the feeling secure.

For the first few days, watch and learn your new dogs’ signs and signals. Aggressive or assertive signs may include; hackles raised, prick ears, showing of teeth, growls or stares. For the best results, all corrections must be made at the first sign. Corrections may simply be a touch, a tap, grabbing of the cheeks or just staring them down. For excess barking, use your hand to grab the top of the muzzle and give a quick, firm verbal command. When applying a correction; be assertive, be quick and then move on. Be ready to repeat a correction if needed.

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