Bringing a new dog into a home with existing pets requires careful planning, patience and sensible management.
Even if your new dog has been assessed as dog-friendly, this does not mean they will automatically get along with every dog they meet, particularly when entering another dog’s home.
A successful introduction is not about making animals become friends immediately. It is about helping them feel safe, comfortable and relaxed in each other’s company.
Please follow the guidance below, even if both dogs have previously lived happily with other dogs.
Introducing Your New Dog to a Resident Dog
1. The First Meeting – Neutral Territory
Wherever possible, your new dog and resident dog should already have met during the our assessment or meet-and-greet process. However, this does not replace the need for careful introductions when you arrive home.
– Arrange the initial introduction in a quiet, neutral outdoor location, away from either dog’s home or garden.
– Have one calm, competent adult handling each dog.
– Both dogs should wear secure, properly fitted equipment and remain on leads.
– Avoid retractable leads, which make it difficult to maintain safe control.
– Begin by walking the dogs in the same direction, several metres apart, rather than bringing them directly together.
– Gradually reduce the distance if both dogs remain relaxed.
– Avoid forcing face-to-face greetings or allowing the leads to become tight and tangled. Parallel walking is one of the safest ways to introduce unfamiliar dogs – It allows them to become accustomed to each other’s presence without the pressure of direct interaction.
Look for relaxed body language, loose movements, natural sniffing and the ability to disengage from one another.
Signs that either dog is uncomfortable include stiffening, freezing, prolonged staring, raised lips, growling, repeated attempts to move away or escalating excitement.
If either dog becomes uncomfortable, calmly increase the distance and allow them to settle.
Do not force another greeting.
2. Allowing the Dogs to Greet
Once both dogs are relaxed walking alongside one another, you can allow a brief, controlled greeting if their body language suggests they are comfortable.
– Keep leads loose but maintain control.
– Allow the dogs to approach naturally, preferably in a gentle curve rather than head- on.
– Keep initial greetings brief, just a few seconds.
– Encourage the dogs to separate and continue walking.
– Repeat only if both dogs remain relaxed and appear comfortable.
Do not insist that dogs interact. Some dogs are perfectly happy simply walking together without making physical contact. Never punish a dog for growling. Growling is an important warning that the dog is uncomfortable. Punishing it may suppress the warning without changing the underlying emotion.
If either dog growls, freezes or shows signs of tension, calmly separate them and give them more space.
3. Arriving Home
The introduction does not end when the dogs have successfully walked together. Entering the home is often the most challenging stage, particularly for a resident dog who may be protective of their space, possessions or people.
Before bringing your new dog home:
– Remove toys, chews, food bowls and other high-value items from shared areas.
– Prepare separate resting and sleeping spaces for both dogs.
– Set up baby gates or other secure barriers so the dogs can be separated without isolating either dog completely.
– Ensure both dogs have somewhere they can retreat without being followed or disturbed.
– Avoid visitors, excitement or unnecessary activity during the first few days.
Where practical, allow the resident dog to settle inside while the new dog enters a separate, prepared area.
Avoid crowding both dogs into a narrow hallway or doorway.
Initially, allow the dogs to observe one another through a secure barrier, provided both remain comfortable.
Do not leave them together unsupervised, even if their initial meeting has gone exceptionally well.
4. The First Few Days
During the initial decompression period, your new dog is adjusting to an unfamiliar environment, new people and a completely different routine. Your resident dog is also experiencing a major change. Both dogs need time and space to adjust.
For the first few days:
– Maintain your resident dog’s normal routine as much as possible.
– Feed the dogs separately, ideally behind closed doors.
– Do not leave food, chews or high-value toys available in shared spaces
– Give each dog individual attention and time with you.
– Continue calm, parallel walks together where appropriate.
– Supervise all interactions closely.
– Use gates and separate rooms to allow both dogs to rest without having to interact.
– Avoid encouraging rough play, chasing or high levels of excitement.
Remember that your new dog may initially be quiet or withdrawn because they are overwhelmed. As they settle and become more confident, their behaviour may change. Equally, your resident dog may initially tolerate the newcomer but become less comfortable as the reality of sharing their home sets in. Do not mistake an absence of conflict for an established friendship.
5. Play, Excitement and Boundaries
Even dogs who enjoy one another’s company can become overexcited. Play should be mutual, balanced and regularly interrupted by natural pauses. If one dog is constantly chasing, pinning, mounting or overwhelming the other, calmly interrupt and give both dogs a break. A useful technique is to briefly call the more enthusiastic dog away. If the other dog voluntarily approaches to resume play, that is a positive indication. If they move away or appear relieved, allow them their space.
Do not force dogs to share beds, toys, food or affection. Your dogs do not need to share everything to have a successful relationship.
6. When Can They Be Left Alone Together?
Never leave newly introduced dogs together unsupervised. Even if they appear to be getting along beautifully, relationships take time to establish.
When you are out, asleep or unable to supervise, keep the dogs securely separated using suitable rooms, doors or barriers.
There is no fixed timetable for allowing dogs to remain together unsupervised. For some households this may take weeks or months; for others, permanent separation during unsupervised periods may be the safest arrangement.
Any decision to relax supervision should be based on a sustained history of relaxed interactions, the individual dogs’ behaviour and any advice provided by the rescue. If either dog has a history of aggression or resource guarding towards other dogs, seek specific guidance before considering unsupervised access.
7. What If the Dogs Fight?
Even with careful introductions, disagreements can occur. If tension begins to escalate, calmly call the dogs apart or create distance before a fight develops.
If a fight does occur:
– Do not put your hands between the dogs or grab their collars. Redirected bites can cause serious injuries.
– Do not attempt to physically pull dogs apart by their heads or necks.
– If safe, use a solid barrier, such as a gate or large object, to separate them without placing yourself in the middle.
– Once separated, secure the dogs in different rooms and allow them to settle.
– Check both dogs carefully for injuries and seek veterinary attention if either may have been bitten. Puncture wounds can be difficult to see.
– Contact the rescue before attempting to reintroduce them. Do not simply put the dogs back together and hope they have sorted out their differences.
Introducing Your New Dog to Cats
Even if your new dog has previously lived with cats, introductions must be gradual and carefully supervised.
A dog who is comfortable with one cat may react very differently to an unfamiliar cat, particularly if the cat runs.
Before your new dog arrives:
– Provide your cat with dog-free areas and escape routes.
– Ensure food, water, litter trays and sleeping areas remain accessible without the cat having to pass the dog.
– Provide elevated spaces where your cat can observe from a safe distance.
– Use secure barriers to prevent uncontrolled interactions.
Begin by allowing the animals to become accustomed to each other’s scent without direct contact. Progress to brief, controlled visual introductions through a secure barrier. Your dog should be on a lead when necessary for safety, and the cat must always be free to retreat.
Reward calm behaviour and the dog’s ability to disengage from the cat.
Do not hold the cat or force it to approach the dog.
If your dog becomes intensely fixated, stalks, lunges or attempts to chase, immediately increase separation and contact the rescue for advice.
Some dogs may never be suitable for living with cats, regardless of training. Safety must always take priority.
Introducing Other Small Animals
Rabbits, guinea pigs, poultry and other small animals can trigger predatory behaviour, even in dogs who are gentle with people and other dogs.
Never assume that a dog who is friendly with cats or other dogs will be safe around smaller animals.
Small pets should be housed in secure, dog-proof enclosures, with appropriate physical separation.
Do not allow direct contact or rely on verbal commands alone to prevent chasing or injury.
If your dog shows intense interest, stalking or predatory behaviour, maintain permanent physical separation and seek professional advice.
