Big old dog, meet small new dog

Bringing a new dog into the house can be stressful for the dogs that already live there. It can be dangerous too if the dogs are not in the same size category. Before brining a puppy home, read up on the proper way to introduce them to the pack, and minimize conflict in the house.

My favorite tips: beware that food is a common source of conflict, so feed the dogs separately so they don't feel like they are competing over their kibble. Don't punish the the deed if you did not witness the crime! (See my earlier post "Just because I look guilty doesn't mean I did it"). And finally, remember that all dogs are different, so just because something works for your older guy, doesn't mean it is the best for the new pup.