All dogs, regardless of breed, practice some form of resource guarding. The two most important resources are your property and your companionship. Any new dog coming onto your property will, at the least, be viewed with suspicion by your family dog, and at the worst, be perceived as a hostile invader. Therefore, it is critical owners understand and implement the following greeting protocol so the family dog will enjoy being around your new dog.
Scent Introduction: Before the dogs even see each other, take a rag or towel, and wipe it around each dog’s face, shoulders, and rear end under the tail. Then switch rags and let the dogs smell each other’s’ scents and tell them good boy/girl as you give them a high value treat e.g. slice of turkey or beef. Also rub the rag on each dog’s shoulders and rear end. Each dog has his scent on the other dog and starts associating it with delicious rewards!
Leash Walking Introduction: Start with leash walking the dogs outside on neutral territory. You will need a family member or neighbor to leash walk the new dog at least 50 feet ahead of your family dog. Initially the dogs will walk parallel to each other, at least 20 feet apart width wise. As soon as each dog sees the other in a high happy voice tell them “Look, there’s Spot” and give each dog a treat while petting and praising. Allow your family dog to gradually catch up to the new dog. Slowly decrease the width between the dogs while making sure the dogs do not show any signs of stress. If so, increase the distance apart. Continue to reward calm behavior. Be patient. Don’t rush this! It may take days before the dogs can calmly walk parallel to each other with little distance separating them.
Backyard Introduction: Next put both dogs on 20-foot leads and let them explore your backyard. Make sure you escort your new dog into the yard first to avoid the family dog resource guarding. The dogs should be as far apart as possible initially. Watch each dog’s body language carefully. Reward calm behavior. Call the family dog away or otherwise end the interaction if tensions escalate or either dog appears to be stressed. Don’t allow “leash off” introductions until the dogs are relaxed in close proximity to each other.
Home Introduction: Repeat the preceding step entering your home with 6-foot leads. Over the next couple days, slowly start increasing the amount of time the dogs spend in each other’s presence while reducing their distance apart. Again, reward calm behavior! All dog interactions should be supervised with the dogs on leash. When they’re not being supervised the dogs should be separated with baby gating, doors, or other barriers. Eventually you can off-leash the dogs in each other’s presence, rewarding calm behavior.
Owners must remember this key concept: The dogs must see each other as their meal ticket. The dogs get attention and rewards, including treats, only when they’re around each other.
