Introducing Your New Puppy

So it's finally here! The day you bring your new puppy home! Everyone is so excited to be the first to hold and wrestle with the newest member of the family! Everyone, except that is, for the animals that already live there.

Introducing your new puppy to All of the members of the family is Extremely important. Just because they are domesticated animals, doesn't mean that they will accept a stranger (especially one as wiggly and excited as a puppy!) Bringing a new pup in can be very stressful on animals already in the home, an older dog can bring stress too, but the activity level is usually lower, so the stress subsides quicker. We'll get into working with the "new" pup later, for now I want to focus on the established animals. Here are some things to watch for:

Loss of appetite - watch small animals especially, the smaller the animal the less time the can go without food and water.
Vomiting / Diarrhea - Again, watch older and smaller animals more closely.
Severe Aggression - attacking other established animals and biting to cause harm.
Lethargy - this can lead to more severe conditions.

If your animal, of any breed, show any of the above signs to a Severe extent you need to take it to a licensed veterinarian. Always give it 24 hours (unless something is bleeding!) as excitement alone will show itself in every different way imaginable!

DO NOT yell at anyone during introductions. This is crucial to holding down the excitement. If you raise your voice all of the animals become more frantic. You must stay calm and in control, if children are present, they should sit on the floor and play quietly with ALL of the animals. Do not shun the established animals for the new pup! This will make them even less secure and force them to get your attention - somehow!

Do Not give extra treats or canned food out of guilt. Animals do not use food to feel better, they Always do better when kept on the same food - if it works, don't change it! You can give a treat for being well behaved around the new puppy and for staying calm, but what your established animals want and need most at this time is Your Attention. So Pour It On!