What Should I Do If I Get a New Puppy & I Already Have a Dog?

Some dogs welcome the addition of a puppy immediately. It's as if they've been waiting for you to bring home a little canine. Other dogs are hurt and jealous when you bring home the puppy. It's as if they feel they are being replaced or put in second place. In time, regardless of your dog's initial reaction to the puppy, most canines learn to live together peacefully and happily. How you handle the first introductions and the first few days of their lives together will set the tone for your dogs' relationship for years to come.

  1. Health

    • For the sake of your dog at home, don't take the new puppy home until you have it checked by a veterinarian. You want the puppy parasite-free and up-to-date on vaccinations before your bring it home. Have your veterinarian do a fecal examination, de-worm and apply flea repellent medication to the new puppy. If your older dog isn't up-to-date on vaccines, it's also a good idea to bring it to the veterinarian for inoculations and a checkup before your introduce the dog and puppy.

    Introduction

    • Have a friend or family member bring the puppy home or meet you outside the home to introduce the puppy to the dog. If the puppy is old enough, it's a good idea to introduce it to your dog in a neutral territory, such as a park, taking them on a walk together before you go home. If you are introducing the puppy to the dog in your home, place the puppy in a crate. Let the dog sniff the puppy from outside the crate and get used to is presence before you release the puppy. There may be some barking, and even growling, but that's okay. Don't punish your dog as it is just reacting to its insecurity. Don't leave the puppy unsupervised with your dog until you're sure they are friends.

    Problems

    • In the initial introductions, be prepared to intervene if there are signs that a fight may ensue. Some barking and growling is normal, but if you see raised hackles (the fur along the neck and upper back), growling, showing of teeth, staring or snapping, separate the dog and puppy before there is an attack. If there are these kinds of tensions between your new puppy and your dog in the beginning, keep their time together short and put them together during short, supervised sessions several times a day. Make these times positive for the dogs, offering treats and play.

    Prevention

    • There are certain things you should not do in the beginning if you want to foster a good relationship between your puppy and your dog. When introducing the puppy to your dog, do not hold the puppy in your arms. This puts the puppy at a level above your adult dog and causes the puppy to feel threatened and trapped. Place the puppy in front of you and allow it to take refuge between your feet if it feels threatened. In the first few weeks, don't put the new puppy and your dog in a small space--such as a bathroom, car or kennel--together. Make sure each dog has toys, bowls, blankets and a bed that are its alone.

    Dog

    • Make sure you let your dog know that it is still important to you and that it isn't being replaced. Spend time alone with your dog and give it your undivided attention. Don't disrupt the dog's daily routine any more than necessary. If your dog normally sleeps with you, don't put it out of the bed when the puppy arrives. If it is used to going for a walk with you in the mornings, make sure this continues when the new puppy arrives. This will reassure your dog about its place in the pack and its importance to you.