Are you considering adding a puppy to your family? Welcoming a new pet into your home is exciting, but it’s important to make sure that everyone—especially your current pets—are prepared.
There are steps you can take to help manage the introductions of a new puppy to cats, dogs and even small mammals and birds that are already a part of your family!Top 6 tips for introducing a puppy to your family
- Plan ahead. Preparing how you’ll introduce your puppy to the other pets in your home is key for a positive experience. Meetings don’t go as well when you just open the door and let a puppy run into another pet's established territory. Planning pays off!
- Create safe zones. Prepare your home for your new puppy by creating areas in your home where all your pets, including your new puppy, will feel safe and comfortable. Once created, allow your existing pets time to adjust to their new space before your puppy arrives. To create a safe space:
- For cats, set up their litter boxes, a feeding station and their bed or crate. Provide toys, their scratch post and anything else that you know will keep them at ease and happy. Be sure to spend time playing with them in their new space too.
- For dogs, set up their coziest bed along with their water dish and favorite toys. Feed and play with them in their new “retreat.” Creating safe zones well in advance means that your dog will not associate these new restrictions with the puppy’s arrival.
- For your puppy, include everything they’ll need to be comfortable and feel secure. Line their crate with an inviting blanket or bed (this will encourage crate training), create a feeding station with their food and water, and provide toys. Keep the household quiet and be sure your puppy has plenty of opportunities to use their designated elimination spot.
- Go slow when making introductions to family dogs. When it’s time for the first interaction, the key is to go slow, make it safe and, of course, have lots of treats on hand! Introductions for a new puppy are crucial for their development and socialization, so follow these steps to ensure success.
- The first meeting should be in a neutral location. Avoid making introductions inside your home.
- Take your dog to meet your new puppy when you pick them up! They can ride home together in their own crates.
- Once home, keep them leashed and walk around outside, allowing them to get to know each other.
- Once inside, take each pet to their safe zone and allow your puppy to settle in.
- Before letting them interact again, be sure to exercise them so they’re both a bit tired out. Take your older dog for a walk or play a game of fetch. With your puppy, practice leash walking or start teaching some basic obedience commands. Allow your puppy to eliminate and once they’re calm, bring your older dog outside and walk them both around on leash.
- To prevent competition, give your puppy their own toys, especially if your dog doesn’t really like sharing.
- Make dinnertime a positive experience and prevent resource guarding by feeding your puppy and dog in separate areas. Keep your puppy away from your dog’s food bowl and avoid leaving them unattended if they’re eating in the same area. Contact your veterinarian for advice if resource guarding is becoming a problem.
- Use calm, leashed introductions when meeting family cats.
- Choose a time after your puppy has been exercised (e.g., leash-walked) and is tired out and calm.
- Meetings should occur in neutral territory (not in anyone’s safe zone).
- Keep your puppy leashed.
- Always allow an escape route for your cat (e.g., an elevated platform).
- Keep your puppy distracted with a treat-filled toy and never force interactions for either your puppy or cat.
- Reward calm behavior with treats and praise, and be prepared to stop if things aren’t going well. Try again another day.
- It may take a few weeks of leashed interactions before everyone is enjoying each other’s company.
- Be cautious when introducing your puppy to small mammals and birds.This can be risky. You may be more inclined to keep your small mammals or birds in a separate area of your home, especially if you have brought home a puppy with a known prey drive. Breeds with particularly high prey drives include the herding breeds, hounds and sporting dogs.
- Your puppy will need to understand commands such as “Leave it” prior to introducing them to your small mammals or birds.
- Tire your puppy out with a play session, obedience training or a short walk first.
- Always have your puppy on a secure leash and leave your small mammal or bird in their cage.
- If your small mammal or bird hides or scurries away, remove your puppy and try again in a few days. Next time, start at a farther distance to allow them to become used to your puppy.
- After a few days, try dropping the leash and allow your puppy to approach the small mammal or bird cage on their own. Stop your puppy if your small mammal or bird seems fearful or your puppy lunges at their cage.
- If this behavior continues, keep your small mammal or bird in a separate area of your home and ask your veterinarian for additional tips.
- Give everyone breaks—including your puppy! As cute as they are, puppies can be overwhelming for other pets. Once your pets are interacting without mishap and appear to be getting along, crate your puppy several times a day to give your other pets, you and your puppy a break. During these confinement breaks, spend some one-on-one time with your other pets, giving them attention without the pouncing puppy. Confinement also allows your puppy some much-needed rest. Before crate time, allow your puppy a chance to go outside, explore and eliminate.
Additional new puppy resources
In addition to preparing your home for your new puppy, you’ll need all the right supplies! Check out our new puppy checklist to make sure you’ve got everything you need.
Need some help crate training? Use these crate training tips to help your new puppy love their crate!
