PROPER Introductions for a new dog

into a home with resident pets

Congratulations on your new family addition!

It is crucial that your entire household follow these important guidelines while introducing your new Boxer to the rest of the animals in your household.

If you are not serious or vigilant about following these steps, you may be setting your Boxer up for failure, making a smooth transition into your "pack" nearly impossible.

•   Allow your adopted Boxer to go potty in his new yard (or wherever you will be allowing him to relieve himself) IMMEDIATELY upon his arrival to your home. He may sniff around a while--LET HIM! He is learning about his new environment. If he poops, leave it there so he can find his scent the next time he goes out to eliminate. Soon he will learn that is an appropriate area for him to go potty.  (Dispose of the poop at a later time, once he understands where to go).

• Whatever you do, do NOT march this new dog into your home and expect him to play happily with your other pets! This is not only totally unrealistic, but it could be very dangerous. Instead, take your new Boxer indoors while your other pets are crated or separated in some other fashion. Show him around, let him sniff, show him where his water dish, food bowl, bed, toys, etc... are located. Only take him to areas of the home where you will allow him to be. For instance, if you don't want him going in your formal living room--don't take him in there!

• The initial meeting between your other pets and new pet should be done one at a time- LEASHED and in NEUTRAL TERRITORY. This means way down the street from your home, at a park, etc...Reward both dogs with praise and treats when they display appropriate behaviors during the introduction (that means no growling or lunging).

• The new dog should be in a "sit" while the resident dog gets to sniff. Again, reward both dogs with praise when they act nicely. Then switch places. Put the resident dog in a "sit" and allow the new dog to sniff. Positive reinforcement is so important. Remember to offer praise when there is good behavior shown--no growling, snapping, etc...

•   It may take a little extra effort on your part, but we highly recommend separating all pets by crating them when you can not be home to supervise (such as when you are at work) for at least the first month. We recommend this for the safety of everyone until the "honeymoon period" is over and you can be more certain of how the dogs interact with each other.

• You may also choose to ease into introductions by only permitting the dogs to sniff each other through their crates or a baby gate for the first few days and let them officially "meet" on leashes after a few days of smelling each other's scent.

• Sometimes dogs need to work out their pecking order and can do so by themselves. As long as ONE dog submits to the other, you should not have a problem. Difficulty arises when neither dog will submit to the other. In this case, both are vying for the alpha position.

  IF NEITHER DOG SUBMITS TO THE OTHER, YOU HAVE A FEW CHOICES:

• Contact your veterinarian for a veterinarian behaviorist referral. You may only need one or two sessions to be shown how to handle the situation.

• You may choose to keep the dogs separated at all times.

• Return the dog to the exact rescue or shelter you acquired him from if safety is an issue. Some dogs just do not like each other and cohabitating with two alpha types is very difficult and dangerous.

Their First Night Home 

Some Boxers will settle in the first 5 minutes and act like they've been there for 10 years. Some dogs will not eat, drink or relieve themselves. Some will not sleep, others might pace and whine.

  Try to imagine how your adopted dog feels. He was living somewhere, then given up, abandoned or found stray and taken to a shelter. Then he entered FBR's program went to a vet's office, went to live at a foster home and is now with you! That's a lot of transition! Be understanding and loving. Offer food, fresh water, ample opportunities to relieve himself and LOTS of love and affection, and your new buddy will come around before you know it. Boxers are very forgiving!

FBR, Inc. loves each and every Boxer we come in contact with. We want them to be happy and we want successful adoptions. If at any time, you encounter problems, need advice or want to ask questions, PLEASE don't hesitate to contact us immediately. Our "job" is not done when the Boxer leaves the kennel or foster home--we are here for you. Call on us at any time.

1-888-612-5782

e-mail: boxerhattie@yahoo.com