Introducing a new dog to your household can be a scary task. Dogs are territorial, and your current pet has its scent marked throughout the house. Dogs will use their sense of smell to get to know the surrounding areas in the house. It’s important to create a stress-free environment for both animals by first keeping them separated.

First place the cages on separate sides of the house if possible, and place toys for each animal near the cage. This will create a scent associated with the area without the two dogs meeting. Then switch the toys so that each dog becomes accustomed to the new scent.

Let your new dog wander the house without the old dog there. It will give it the opportunity to interact with humans and leave its scent throughout the house. When your older dog comes back into the house, it will explore the scent that has been left by the other dog. They might be nervous at first and need comforting. This is normal.

When it comes to the two dogs officially meeting, choose a location that is not territory for either dog such as a neighbor’s yard. Keep both dogs on a leash so that you have control of the situation, and allow the dogs to sniff each other. If there is positive interaction, praise the dogs. The goal is to have the animals associate friendly interaction with each other.

Take caution if you see intense staring or growling. Also note if the body language is stiff. If these behaviors occur, try to have the dogs focus on you instead.

Remember to learn the background of the new dog to know its socialization skills, and take your time with the introduction period. It is harder to change bad behavior than to go at a slow place.