By Beth MacLeod, CPDT-KA, Baypath Behavior & Training Coordinator

• Although your dogs have met at the shelter, it is important to again introduce them in a way that is non-threatening to them both.
• Both dogs should be on leashes with each adult holding one dog– if you have more than one dog already at home, do this exercise one dog at a time.
• Allow the dogs to approach each other on their own terms – do not force a confrontation.
• Have a firm but loose grip on the leash (flexi-leashes are NOT recommended.)
• Watch the dogs’ body language – are their bodies loose and relaxed, tails down and wagging, ears relaxed?  If they look tense or stressed try taking them for a walk, allowing them time to warm up to each other.
• If you are in a fenced area and the dogs appear comfortable with one another, drop the leashes but leave them attached to the collars.
• When you go back in to the house, leave their leashes on.  The tighter confines of the house may result in a bit of bickering.
• When feeding your dogs together for the first time you may want to feed them in separate rooms or with a reasonable distance between them.  Supervise all initial feeding sessions!
• If the dogs begin to fight, do not reach in to pull them apart!  Have a distraction ready (a hose, bucket of water, or an umbrellas you can open) so that you can separate them without harm to them or yourself.