Professional Tips for Adding a New Dog to a Family With Many Pets

Adding a new pet to the household is always exciting, regardless of whether you have just one other pet or several. However, as you might have already noticed, introducing a new member to the pack can be challenging. So, in order to save pets from any stressful situations, here are some expert tips on introducing a new dog to the family.

Can a Dog Live With Other Pets?

One of the first questions you are probably asking yourself is whether your new dog can coexist with other animals. Typically, dogs are very caring creatures and can easily get along with many other species. However, keep in mind that birds, hamsters, and guinea pigs are natural prey to dogs. So, keeping them close to one another might not be the best thing you can do.

Prepare Yourself for Tricky Situations

If you are committed to making it work, stay mindful that there will undoubtedly be some tricky situations along the way. For example, you can expect the new dog to mark their territory, which might lead to urinating at inappropriate places. But your existing dogs can also adopt the behavior. There aren’t many things you can do to settle the issue, too, as putting them on a leash might harm their upbringing.

Ensure the Meeting Goes Smoothly

If you have another dog already at home, make sure the initial meeting between them and the new pet goes smoothly. Make sure both animals are on neutral grounds before introducing the new member to your family. Ignoring this step might only cause trouble at home.

Territorial Outbreak Should Be Expected

Last but not least, keep in mind that your new pup might become territorial for a while. It might not be like you touching other pets or interacting with anyone except for the dog itself. Some experts recommend solving such problems with a leash. Also, strive to treat all your pets the same way. You can put a bed on the floor for each pup or give them rewards for positive behavior.