How to Acclimate Two Dogs

Co-authored by Rendy Schuchat

Last Updated: October 13, 2022 References

When you decide to add an additional dog to your household, you must acclimate your dogs to one another properly. This can prevent them from fighting and displaying aggressive behavior toward each other. In most cases, the "old" dog that has already been residing in your home may feel territorial and defend their home against the "new" dog. With the proper introduction between your dogs, however, you can effectively acclimate your dogs and eliminate violence and aggressive behavior in your home.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Introducing Two Dogs

1
Perform a scent handshake before the dogs meet. To give two dogs an introduction to each other before they meet in person, you can do what is called a scent handshake. This is when you swap the dogs' blankets to allow them to get used to each other's scents.
- Take the blankets off of the dogs' beds and swap them so that each dog has the other dog's blanket.
- Try to do this at least a day before they meet to give them a chance to investigate the smell and get used to it.
2
Choose a neutral location for the introduction between your dogs. Choose a location, such as a park or a friend's backyard, that neither of your dogs have visited before. This will help level the playing field, so neither of the dogs feels territorial about where they meet.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Rendy Schuchat
Certified Professional Dog Trainer
Expert Interview. 26 January 2021.}
- If you introduce your dogs to each other at home, the old dog may display aggressive, territorial behavior toward the new dog.
- If you obtain your new dog from a shelter, the shelter may require you to introduce your dogs to one another at the shelter before you are allowed to take them home.
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3
Take your dogs to a neutral location. Ask a friend or family member to meet you at the location separately with one of your dogs. This will allow you to keep the dogs separated until a proper introduction is made.^{[2]
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Trustworthy Source
The Humane Society of the United States
National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare
Go to source}
- Keep leashes on both dogs. This will restrain your dogs and prevent them from attacking one another if aggressive behavior is displayed.
4
Walk both dogs at a distance from each other. The dogs should be able to see each other but should not be so close that they would feel threatened by the other dog's presence. Then you will gradually move the dogs closer together as you walk.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Rendy Schuchat
Certified Professional Dog Trainer
Expert Interview. 26 January 2021.}
- If there is no sign of aggression at a distance, you can then move closer to each other.
- Pay attention to both dog's body language. Growling, teeth-baring, raised hair, and long, uninterrupted stares can all indicate aggression. If this occurs you should move the dogs away from each other or immediately redirect the dog's attention.^{[4]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  The Humane Society of the United States
  National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare
  Go to source}
5
Allow the dogs to sniff each other. Instruct your partner to start walking their dog, then begin to follow them with your dog. You should be walking close enough so that your dog is walking directly behind the other dog. Continue to walk until your dog begins to sniff the other dog from behind as they are walking.
- Although the dog in front may pause when they sense your dog sniffing, encourage all parties to continue to walk. Trade positions with your partner after your dog has sniffed the other dog. This will allow the dog that was previously in front to sniff your dog from behind.
- Continue to trade positions with your partner until both dogs have experienced the front and back walking positions several times. This will allow your dogs to become more acclimated and familiar with one another.
- Also allow your dogs to sniff one another's excrement and urine after each dog has finished the act. This is a form of communication between dogs and indicates that they are becoming acclimated and comfortable with one another.
6
Walk the dogs side by side. After the dogs have met each other, you should walk them together for at least 30 minutes. This will allow your dogs to establish direct contact as they continue to maintain a companionable relationship.
- Give your dogs positive praise when you see them acting friendly with one another. Petting your dogs and using verbal praise will encourage them to continue to get along with each other.
- Take a break every few minutes to let the dogs have direct interaction but then continue on the walk. Keep close supervision during direct contact so that you can redirect your dogs if problems arise.
7
Take your dogs home. After the walk, your dogs will hopefully be relaxed and familiar enough with one another to co-exist in the same living environment without displaying aggressive behavior. At this point, you can take your old dog and your new dog home and begin introducing your new dog to its new home.
- If you need to transport the dogs in a car at this point, you will want to keep them separated. They have met each other but are by no means ready to be put in the back of a car together, for example.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Getting the New Dog Acclimated at Home

1
Introduce the new dog to its new home gradually.^{[5]
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Research source} Walk the dog around its new neighborhood before bringing it into its new home. Also, bring it to the area where you want it to go to the bathroom and allow it to do its business.
- Bring the dog into the house and immediately into the room where it will get food and water. Feed the dog and give it water, which will calm it down and get it ready for the grand tour.
- Then walk the dog through every room in the house slowly. Keep the dog on its leash while you walk it through the house.
2
Keep the dogs separated at first. This will allow you to monitor interactions between dogs closely. Let the dogs sniff at each other through a baby gate. This will allow them each to get used to the scent of the other dog without the risk of aggression.^{[6]
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Research source}
- If you need to be out of the room, place the dogs in separate rooms so that no conflict arises without you being able to defuse it.
3
Allow the dogs to establish their own hierarchy.^{[7]
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Research source} Dogs will naturally establish a hierarchy that allows them to function as a pack. You need to let them work out this relationship on their own, as long as they are not hurting each other in the process.
- There will naturally be a more dominant dog and a more submissive dog in the new relationship. This does not mean that one dog should beat up on the other dog continually. You will need to use your best judgement about whether the relationship is on the right path toward pack behavior or if it is rooted in aggression.
4
Contact a trainer or animal behaviorist if you cannot get the dogs acclimated to each other.^{[8]
X
Trustworthy Source
The Humane Society of the United States
National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare
Go to source} If you cannot get your dogs to get used to each other, you may need to bring in a professional. They should be able to give you good strategies that you can use to acclimate your dogs to each other.
- To find a trainer or animal behaviorist in your area, ask your veterinarian or the organization you got your new dog from for a recommendation.

Expert Q&A
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Question

How can I be sure my dog will get along with a new dog?

Rendy Schuchat
Certified Professional Dog Trainer
Rendy Schuchat is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and the Owner of the largest dog training facility, Anything Is Pawzible, based in Chicago, Illinois. With over 20 years of experience, Rendy specializes in positive dog training and behavior modification to help people build and strengthen their relationships with their dogs. She holds a BA in Psychology and Communications from the University of Iowa, an MA in Psychology from Roosevelt University, and a Certification in Dog Obedience Instruction from Animal Behavior Training and Associates. Rendy was voted one of the Best/Favorite Dog Trainers in Chicago by Chicagoland Tails Reader’s Choice Awards multiple times and was voted Chicago Magazine’s “Best Dog Whisperer” in 2015.

Rendy Schuchat

Certified Professional Dog Trainer

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Before you get a second dog, make sure the dog you choose will be a good fit. For instance, if you have an older dog, getting a 10-month-old puppy isn't necessarily going to be the right fit.
Question

How should I introduce my dog to a new dog?

Rendy Schuchat
Certified Professional Dog Trainer
Rendy Schuchat is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and the Owner of the largest dog training facility, Anything Is Pawzible, based in Chicago, Illinois. With over 20 years of experience, Rendy specializes in positive dog training and behavior modification to help people build and strengthen their relationships with their dogs. She holds a BA in Psychology and Communications from the University of Iowa, an MA in Psychology from Roosevelt University, and a Certification in Dog Obedience Instruction from Animal Behavior Training and Associates. Rendy was voted one of the Best/Favorite Dog Trainers in Chicago by Chicagoland Tails Reader’s Choice Awards multiple times and was voted Chicago Magazine’s “Best Dog Whisperer” in 2015.

Rendy Schuchat

Certified Professional Dog Trainer

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Take it slow. It's always helpful to meet on neutral territory, because the playing field is even. For example, you might take the dogs out on a walk so you're away from anything in your home that might create a territorial reaction from your current dog.
Question

My new puppy I got last week and my adult dog are getting along with no aggression. But, the adult dog seems sad or annoyed. What should I do?

Arya Trivedi

Community Answer

Your older dog may be upset about the attention you are giving the younger pup and is just jealous that it is not the star anymore. Try giving them equal amounts of love, and make them play with each other. They will get used to each other in time.

Warnings

If you are bringing a new puppy into your home, do not leave the puppy in the company of your adult dog unsupervised. Your puppy may unintentionally pester the adult dog and elicit bites.^{[9]
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Research source} Keep your puppy separated from your adult dog when unsupervised until the puppy is at least 4 months old.

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