How to introduce an aggressive dog to another dog. The reason that its often a bad idea is that as two dogs approach each other the emotional intensity runs very high so it is the most risky time in doggy introductions. My dog is aggressive towards other dogs and we just got a new puppy so i would recommend taking them both on a walk on separate leashes separate people and just have your old dog on leash where ever it is your going on a walk i wouldnt do in your yard maybe across the street or something for territorial reasons and just completely ignore the new dog because if you ignore the other dog your dog will as well and just continue on your walk as if there is no new dog and if its going well. Your temptation will be to let the dogs meet and sniff each other first.
You dont want the aggressive dog to feel like they need to protect their territory. Maybe start them out in a neighbors fenced yard or basement. Bentley left is a seven year old english pointer mix who is high energy and somewhat dog aggressive.
First you must employ desensitization trust positive reinforcement and obedience training. First plan to have the dogs meet on neutral ground. Have both dogs on leashes and back clipped harnesses.
Its best to have their first greeting on neutral ground. His guardian called me in to help introduce him to the new lab pointer puppy they recently rescued. Choose a place where neither dog is likely to feel territorial.
Even your dogs favorite park is not a good spot unless it is a dog park since dogs are often used to meeting other dogs there. If you introduce your dogs to each other at home the old dog may display aggressive territorial behavior toward the new dog. Because of his intense reaction to other dogs his guardian had kept bentley and the puppy separated until i could help them have a good.
If the aggression is being caused by anxiety or fear a veterinarian may prescribe an antidepressant a benzodiazepine or a serotonin uptake inhibitor to help keep the dog in a calmer state. Stop your dogs aggression toward other dogs. In general its best to introduce an aggressive dog to a new dog using the parallel walk method.
Reward your dog every time he shows interest in another dog ie. If you are adopting a dog from a shelter ask the staff if they can help to introduce the dogs. Slowly introduce him to other dogs in a manner that he is comfortable with.
If you obtain your new dog from a shelter the shelter may require you to introduce your dogs to one another at the shelter before you are allowed to take them home. Take the dogs on a walk together single file. Aim to stay calm yourself too because dogs are energy recipients and you dont want to contribute further to the aggressive dogs level of aggression.
Sufficiently exercise your dog so that at least your own dog will stay calm when introduced to another dog that is aggressive. If that means the other dog has to stay twenty metres away then so be it. Looks at him with lots of treats and praise.