Bringing A New Pup Home

So you got a little cutie puppy in your hand. He looks so cute with his little sweet nose and playful eyes. So what next? Naturally, you'll take the little one home...Wait for a second. It may not be as easy as it seems. Being a pet lover, you have many pets at home as well, and this one is a new pet and not the only one!

In that case it is you who is responsible to build comfort between your pets. They after all have to coexist peacefully under one roof. If you are concerned as to how your other pets would take to their new companion, your concerns are valid because different animals react differently to the presence of an additional pet. So the introduction can be a lot more tricky than the Hello-I-am-Alice kind of very human introductions.

Ensure that you give an entire day to the animal to warm up to its surrounding and to get accustomed to the presence of other pet(s). When you bring it home make sure that you keep him company. Don't leave him home alone. That could make him very, very uncomfortable.

Now, if you have a cat at home, you need to be extra careful. Not too much, just a little prudence would do. On the first few times when the puppy and cat come face to face, make sure that the puppy is on lease so that you could pull him clear of the cat in case he reacts unpredictably. Cats are normally very territorial and tend to assert their territorial rights. The puppy must be made to understand early that he is not supposed to intrude into the cat's personal space, neither should he meddle with cats things. They'll eventually grow friendly, but if they do not contact your vet as soon as you can.

If there is another dog at home, the lease rule remains so that no uncalled for harm is done. If there are many dogs at home, ensure that the puppy gets to know each of them separately and there is no collective introduction. The little one should not be taken to the big dog, for in that case the big one will be meeting the young one in his territory, which could be rather menancing the newcomer.  

A little bit of growling and sniffing is natural but snapping and biting are not. So, if they indulge in any such unacceptable behaviour, they must be disciplined. Make sure that your current dog does not feel left out on the account of the new pet. So, make sure that your affection towards him increases.

Seniority must be maintained in eating and playing. So, when it is time to eat, the new one should eat separately and its food should be served only after the older ones. The new toys must also first go to the senior pets.

They'll gradually grow into good companions and you'll have a nice little happy family of friendly pets.