Many people who work all day, leaving their pet home alone, feel good about adopting a second pet for the family. If you can afford the added expenses of another pet, it can add twice the love and fun to the home. The animals will also be happier, healthier, and less likely to be destructive. They will also get more exercise through playing, which will help them live longer. Before bringing the new pet home, it is important to have the resident pet up-to-date on immunizations, and the new pet checked for parasites, inside and outside the body. Her suggestions for the actual introductions are as follows.

Introducing Dogs to Dogs

• Pick up all pet toys and do not introduce the dogs at feeding time.

   

• Introduce them outdoors if possible, or in a large indoor area.

   

• Hold the puppy, bringing the resident dog to the puppy to sniff him.

   

• When you are comfortable, put the puppy down to walk around. If you are not comfortable with the resident dog's reaction, put the puppy in a crate or behind a child gate until the resident dog's reaction is positive.

   

• For at least a week, do not leave them unsupervised. Keep them separated when you leave home.

   

• Show the resident dog that he comes first, giving him lots of attention, treats, etc. This will establish that the newcomer is #2 in the "pack order," helping to prevent future confrontations.

Don't worry that the resident dog will intentionally hurt the puppy, a growl or snap is just meant to lay the ground rules.

If you decide to adopt an adult dog, it is recommended that both dogs are spayed or neutered as soon as possible, and preferably before their introduction, to reduce territorial instincts. This is especially important for two animals of the same sex..

Some other suggestions are:

1. Introduce them on neutral turf, away from home if possible, to avoid territorial problems. Put the dogs on leashes and be prepared to separate them. If there is an indication that the dogs will fight on neutral turf, it is a no-win situation and the dogs should not be put together. But if you are comfortable with their reactions to each other, take them home together.

    

    

2. If step one is not possible, introduce the new dog behind a baby gate or screen door, so they can see each other but not touch. When you are comfortable, allow a full introduction. Make sure leashes are on and you are prepared to separate them. Give more attention to the resident dog than the new dog, establishing the new dog as #2 in the pack.

    

3. Provide separate feeding, bed and toy areas.

It may take several weeks for the dogs to get used to each other, but you should see improvement each week. Allow a little aggression between the dogs, but not growling which can lead to a fight. If there is still tension after 3 weeks, the situation probably will not work out.

Introducing a Dog to a Resident Cat

Bring the dog in the house on a leash and make sure the dog has his own room or a crate with food and water. Place the cat's litter box and food in a private place so the dog will not get into it. Separate the animals for the first twenty-four hours, allowing no contact.

The following day, with supervision, open the door of the dog's room. This allows the animals to have some communication. However, if the situation becomes too aggressive, the animals should separate immediately.

Each day allow the animals a little more time together so they get to know each other. It may take 4-6 weeks for the animals not to show signs of aggression toward one another.