Dr. Todd Prince owns dogs of several different breeds. A graduate of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Todd Prince first became board certified in small animal practice in 1993. He was recertified in 2002 and 2012.
There are a number of steps dog owners should take when introducing a new animal to the pack. First and foremost, the introduction between a new dog and the resident family dog should take place on neutral territory in a space where either dog can seek out a private area for a break. This means that any family dogs should be left at home when the new dog is retrieved from the shelter or a breeder, because a car is potentially the worst setting for an introduction. Both dogs should be on leashes when they first meet and as they gradually become acquainted. Some dogs may become best friends immediately, while others may require more time. The key to getting along at home is to keep the dogs from fighting in the early days by removing toys and giving each dog individualized attention. If the in-home relationship begins with territorial arguments over a bed or which dog eats first, a rivalry will form, and this will be hard to undo as time passes. Once each dog understands its place in the household, it should be relatively easy to maintain a harmonious relationship moving forward. Comments are closed.
|
AuthorDr. Todd Prince's Blog Archives
October 2017
Categories
All
|