Read About Dog

When introducing your new dog to family members and other pets for the very first time, supervision is absolutely essential – setting the stage for positive future interactions, as well as helping your dog acclimate to his new home environment. Even if accustomed to children in the past, a new dog will not be familiar with yours and will need some time to get acquainted with them. Children can be allowed to encourage the dog to approach them by sitting down quietly and offering a treat or a toy. Remember that a dog at face level with young children may seem quite intimidating, so be prepared to move the dog away if the child becomes frightened or if the dog appears to feel threatened by the close proximity. Dogs do not always welcome being hugged or cuddled unless they are familiar with this show of affection from an early age. It is a great temptation for children to do this, especially if they have been used to hugging a previous pet. You will need to slowly assess just what your new dog will allow, supervising constantly to ensure no unacceptable behavior occurs with either dog or child. After initially introducing your new dog, ask the children to give the animal a bit of space and time to adjust to his surroundings. If your children have not previously owned a dog before, they may need to be educated to respect the dog and not treat their new companion as a toy. It is advisable to introduce dogs to each other on neutral territory so you might want to consider taking them on a long walk together. The interest of the walk will make the introduction less intense, as well as provide a distraction in the event there is some uneasiness between dogs. Again, supervision is key until such a time you are assured the dogs are adapting adequately to each other’s company. Even if your dog has previously lived with a cat, new cats may not necessarily be tolerated. If they are to become friends, it is essential the dog is not allowed to frighten the cat. This means that when introducing your new dog; keep him on a lead and under control. Allow the cat to have the freedom to get out of the way – or approach – if this is acceptable to your new dog. A few simple considerations when introducing your new dog to family and other pets will go a long way in developing positive relationships and a harmonious lifestyle for all members of the household.