Adding Another Pet to Your Household? Follow These Expert Tips for a Smooth Transition
Bringing a new pet into a household is an exciting time for families. But, if you already have pets, it could present a few unforeseen challenges if you're not already prepared. That's where we come in! We teamed up with Eric Wiese, animal behavior specialist and host of the CBS Series Lucky Dog, to learn some of the basics when it comes to getting your furry friend (no matter the species) ready to call your abode their new home.
Although, these tips are a great place to start when introducing a pup into your dog-loving household, we always recommend reaching out to a certified professional dog trainer, animal behavior consultant, or vet for more in depth advice tailored to your needs.
If you ever need pet training inspo or just want to watch im-paw-sibly cute pups from the comfort of your couch, be sure to tune into Lucky Dog Saturday mornings on CBS (check your local listings) or stream episodes on Pluto TV.
Can they co-exist with your other pets?
Take into consideration the species of your other pets and whether or not they can coexist freely with your new dog. Birds, gerbils, and hamsters, for example, are considered prey to dogs so you would not want them to interact. If you do have those, you’ll want to keep them in secured, separate areas of your home.
Set up a meet and greet
If you do have another dog, make sure the two meet on neutral ground before adopting to ensure they’re comfortable with one another.
Secure the toys. Secure the food.
During the first introduction in your home, make sure there are no toys or food present as they get used to each other. Your existing dog could guard certain toys and food.
Be prepared for some accidents.
Be prepared for your dogs to “mark” their territory, where one or both dogs could urinate in the environment. There’s not a whole lot you can do about this. Having them on leash when they’re both inside can add an additional boundary where they stay within sight instead of going off and marking. They can also be separated on leashes if needed.
Be mindful of your pup becoming territorial.
Be very mindful when sitting on couches or other furniture as your existing dog may become possessive or territorial over you. This will subside as they get acclimated to each other and having them on leash can help initially. Designating an area on the floor, with a dog bed for each of them, can also help. Make sure to reward them with lots of positive praise and treats when they’re on their beds.
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