Tuesday, January 28, 2014

4 Tips for Introducing a Your Dog to a New Pitbull Puppy



Bringing a pitbull puppy into your home can bring you and your existing dog a lot of fun and companionship. But it's important to remember that your current dog may not feel at ease sharing their space and toys with another dog. Like people, dogs are individuals. Some have a lot of tolerance for other dogs, others not so much. That doesn't mean things can't work out -- it just means that you have to properly introduce them and teach them how to interact with one another. 

Of course, you want both dogs to be happy with their new living arrangements. Therefore, it's important to ensure that you make your new dog feel welcomed and your current dog feel included. Maximizing the potential for a great friendship between your new pitbull puppy and your current dog involves a few important steps. 


Whether you're looking at pitbull puppies for sale, or have already brought your new pup home, here are four tips to help you introduce your dogs.

1. Arrange a meet-and-greet on neutral ground
Once you find a pitbull puppy you're interested in adopting, arrange an introduction with your potential pup and your existing dog. You want to get a sense of how they will get along with each other before you officially adopt. Also, while you may be exited for the two dogs to meet, you want to ensure that both dogs feel comfortable. You should introduce them on neutral ground -- a place that neither dog would consider its territory. Both dogs should be leashed and walked with their own person.

2. Do what is "normal" for your family
After your dogs have met, it's time to bring your new pup home. As excited as you are to welcome your pitbull puppy to the family, it's vital that you maintain normalcy for your existing dog. Your pet already has a routine down. From when it's time to eat and go outside and where to sleep to whether or not he/she is allowed on the furniture, your existing dog is used to certain schedules and limits. As you keep your old dog's routine the same, you can slowly integrate the new pup into those habits.

3. Be mindful of any "hot" zones
Your existing dog may feel some slight jealously for the new pup -- after all, it was their home first. Be careful and watch their interaction together to see if there are any trigger zones. Most protective reactions come when eating and playing with toys. You should feed them separately until you know that they can eat side-by-side, and also keep a separate water bowl for them. Monitor their play time and give them separate toys until you know that they can share them.

4. Continuously work on building bonds
This goes for you, as well as your new pup and current dog. It's important to spend time playing together, training and teaching them, and devoting attention to them individually and together. You should have daily walks and playdates. As the bond forms, your dogs will become more comfortable together and learn their boundaries.