Last Updated: 03/07/2025
So you have decided to get another dog? Check out some tips on how to introduce your new dog to your existing dog for a smooth transition into the family.
Author: Dr Teagan Lever BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 18 minutes - medium read
Introducing a new puppy or dog to your resident pet will naturally cause some tension as they adjust to this significant change in their social structure.
It's crucial to manage their first encounter with patience and caution to reduce anxiety and prevent any physical conflict from erupting. This requires careful supervision, especially if there is a significant size difference or a known history of aggression in either animal.
By ensuring the introduction is a positive and controlled experience, you can help foster a harmonious bond and prevent long-term behavioural issues.
The following steps are designed to decrease the likelihood of aggression between your pets, however if you have a particularly anti-social or territorial dog, we recommend speaking with an experienced behavioural trainer to ensure both pets will be safe.
One last thing before we start... Aside from body stance and vocalisation, dogs rely heavily on scent when meeting new people and animals. In fact, this is why dogs often sniff each other's derrieres when they meet. A dog's scent is predominantly dispersed through the anal sacs making this the prime sniffing spot to say hello.
To follow these steps, you'll need the help of a friend or relative that your existing dog trusts.
When you bring your new dog home, get your helper to take your existing pooch out for a walk. During this time let your new dog explore the home and get familiar with the smells of your house and other dog.
Once your existing dog is back from their walk, have your helper take the new dog to a closed room or outside and give them of your existing dog's toys or blankets to play with. This step is really important as they are learning to associate positive thoughts with the smell.
Go about your regular activities with your existing dog; e.g. have a play or cuddle in front of the tv. Stick to your normal routine, don't give them the cold shoulder or smother them with affection.
Alternate which dog is in the house every 20-30 minutes to help familiarise them with each other's fresh scent and encourage them to play with the other dog's toys.
After rotating the dogs a few times, they should be ready to meet. Whenever you can, avoid introducing them at home as most dogs can be territorial; instead choose a neutral setting like the dog park. Decide on a route to the park with your helper and get them to walk ahead of you with one dog as you follow behind with the other. As most dogs love getting their walks, this is another way to associate each other's scent with a positive experience.
Once you arrive at the park, keep both dogs leashed when they first meet for better control. If they are getting over excited, try to distance them and expend some of their extra energy with a game of tug-of-war or lap around the park. When they're ready to play unrestricted, leave their leashes attached in case you need to quickly intervene.
It's important to remember what a significant adjustment this will be for your existing dog who is used to having your undivided attention. It's only natural to be concerned about your new dog being anxious in their new home but be careful not to skew your attention in their direction.
When we recently introduced a new Border Collie cross into our home, our existing chihuahua, Nacho, (who was usually good natured) developed aggressive tendancies, destructive behaviours and would ignore learnt commands. Without meaning to, we had been giving our new dog special attention. As she has much higher physical needs than our Chihuahua, she would get taken on extra walks while little Nacho was left at home. We also played with him less as he would play with our new dog instead. But with some changes to our routine, we've been able to get little Nacho back to his happy little self.
For more tips on anxiety management in dogs, see our Guide to Managing Stress and Anxiety in Dogs
Apart from using these steps in keeping your pets safe, they can also help reduce stress. A dog that's friendly with everyone at the park can often be territorial in their home. Always introduce new pets to each other in a neutral space where they both feel happy and relaxed. If problems persist and your dogs are still showing aggression to one another, an experienced trainer may be required for the safety and wellbeing of you and your pets.
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Head Veterinarian, BVSc (Hons)
Pet Circle's Head Veterinarian, Dr Teagan graduated from the University of Queensland in 2010 and went on to work in small animal and mixed practice in various locations around QLD & ACT before joining Pet Circle in early 2016. Dr Teagan has special interests in dermatology, nutrition and preventative health care. She feels privileged to witness the special bond people share with their pets on a daily basis and enjoys forming lasting relationships with pet parents and their fur children.
