Multi-Dog Homes
How to Introduce a New Dog into a Home with Other Dogs
Bringing a new dog home can be an exciting time. It's like adding a new family member. But many problems – including fights - can occur if the introduction process is not handled correctly.
Dogs are pack animals. There is a strong genetic pack instinct in dogs. Whenever a new dog is brought home, the pack drive in the other dog(s) is elevated.
One or more of the dogs can become territorial, and there can be rank problems between the dogs resulting in aggression, threat displays and fights.
Three or more dogs are much more difficult to manage than two. Three or more dogs are a pack, and there are problems that can develop in a dog pack. Dogs become much more territorial. They will develop a ranking order which includes a pack leader. When dogs don’t have a strong human pack leader, problems can occur.
When a new dog is added to a home, every dog in the house has to re-establish its personal rank within the new family pack. Re-establishing rank can result in dog fights.
The Solution: A Strong Human Pack Leader
When dogs have strong human pack leaders fights don’t happen. The human pack leader makes it clear that aggressive behavior is will not be tolerated.
Our trainers experience this all the time in their work with shelter, rescue and foster dogs who come to their homes for rehabilitation. Many highly aggressive dogs – once they are introduced into a pack with a strong human leader – can live peacefully with other dogs. Dogs pick up on very subtle behavior cues – most of them non-verbal – from their human pack leaders. These are some of the skills we teach in our training programs.
Good pack leaders are unquestionably in charge. They are benevolent, not dictatorial. They use correction - but never violence - to enforce the rules.
In multi-dog families, the human pack leader must show the dog(s) that he will protect them from the other dogs.
When it’s done right, introducing a new dog into a family which already has other dogs is an orderly, organized, nonviolent process.
The human pack leader must carefully manage the introduction phase, as follows:
- The new dog must be kept on a 6 foot leash held by the owner, both inside and outside of the home for several days, from the moment he arrives. The number of days will vary depending on the behavior of your dogs, but generally we recommend that for the first 5 to 10 days, the new dog be kept on leash at all times. Being on a leash forces the dog to follow the human pack leader from room to room. It also controls access to resources. These are key factors in establishing human pack leadership.
- Dog crates must be used. When the new dog cannot be kept on leash, he can rest safely and securely in his crate.
- Sometimes it is advisable for the existing family dog(s) to spend some time on leash inside the home as well.
- Obedience training must be practiced with all of the dogs, not just the new one. Regular obedience lessons help reinforce human pack leadership.
- An occasional growl among dogs is part of their normal communication process. But more aggressive displays (snapping, lunging, biting) must be corrected immediately with a firm “no” and an immediate removal of the offending dog(s) from the pack for a few minutes.
- The human pack leader must control access to all resources to prevent the dogs from competing for them. Common triggers of dog fights include things like food, bones, toys, treats, owner attention and high places (like furniture or beds).
- Young puppies and older dogs have different play styles. Do not allow a puppy to “bully” an older dog with rough play. Often, the older dog will tolerate a certain amount of rude behavior from a young puppy, but later when the older dog detects maturity in the puppy he will begin to aggressively defend himself.
Sometimes professional help is needed to help bring harmony to the pack. Call us at (888) 281-3647 or email us if you need assistance.
