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A NEW MEMBER OF THE PACK

Do you want to add a new dog to your pack?

Well then, consider some of these dos and don’ts.

The most important thing to do, when bringing a new dog into a household that already has dogs in it, is to do it gradually. The biggest mistake you can make is to just bring the dog into the house.

To the dogs that were already there, this is an invasion of their territory. To the new dog, it leaves him with no directions or rules to follow, or boundaries to respect. This is a recipe for disaster. If you do it this way, you’ll have dogs that fight and compete over everything.


---A proper introduction ---

Always begin the process with a long walk. In the beginning of the walk, you will take the lead with your existing dog(s), while another person follows behind with the new dog.

After a while, drop back and let your original dog sniff the new dog’s butt, but don’t let them meet face-to-face yet. That can lead to a fight. Resume the walk with the original dog in front, and then let the new dog have a sniff.

Gradually, you can bring the entire pack together, with the dogs walking on the outside and the human’s in-between. When they are in a calm state and walking together without incident, then it’s time to bring all the dogs into the house.

Allow your original dog(s) to enter the home with you walking in first, and then you bring the new dog in. This signifies your original dog is inviting his new pack member into his territory.


---After the first day ---

It’s super important that you establish the hierarchy of authority, with you and the other humans in the house at the top.

It’s natural for us to show favor to the dogs that have been in the pack longer and try to make them the dominant dogs, in the same way that parents may give more responsibility to their older children.

However, dogs don’t work like that, and if you try to force a submissive dog into a dominant position, it will only make the submissive dog nervous, anxious and insecure, while making the dominant dog resentful. The dogs will let you know which dog is dominant and which one is submissive.

And they will be happier if you allow them to make this one arrangement for themselves. Just remember not to let the dominant one take things too far.


It’s about training people, NOT training dogs!


If you need guidance, support or direction, consider hiring a professional to help.


www.packmantotherescue.com / 201-937-6123

www.patreon.com/packmantotherescue

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