Source: svetadep/Shutterstock.com Getting a new puppy is a huge deal, especially if you’re already a dog-owning family. For families who just have one dog, this can be scary. You sometimes don’t know how your current dog will react to a new dog in its space, especially if your current dog has never been around other dogs before. Taking your dog to the dog park isn’t anything like having them live full time with another animal. It’s almost like bringing a baby to the house! Here are steps you can take when introducing a new puppy to your dog. 1. Keep them safe. When introducing a new puppy to your dog it’s important that you keep both the new puppy and your current dog safe. Invest in a new dog collar and leash set for your new puppy to wear that’s made from quality material, such as silicone. This will help to keep your new puppy from immediately running and jumping onto your dog. Your current dog might get nervous with the new puppy around, especially if it’s their first time around another dog. Having leashes and collars that are both stable and safe will help to prevent any potential issues between your new puppy and your current dog. 2. Introduce them to each others’ scents. Dogs react to scent. Because dogs have way more nerve endings in their nose and a higher sense of smell than humans, Introducing your new puppy’s scent to your current dog’s scent can help the transition. By getting the chance to smell your new puppy, your current dog will have the opportunity to adjust to the new dog’s scent. You’ll also want to do this for your new puppy too. your new puppy will feel more comfortable around your current dog if it recognizes your current dog's scent. Source: Matej Kastelic/Shutterstock.com 3. Consider introducing them with a barrier between them. A gate is a perfect barrier to put between your new puppy and your current dog. This way, your dogs can get to see each other and smell each other but do not run the risk of harming each other or running off. Our Tile for pets is the perfect solution for dog owners who are worried about their new puppy and current dog potentially getting into any mischief together, especially if you introduce them outside or are unable to separate them in the beginning. If for some reason something goes wrong, or your dogs don’t seem to get along right away, you can easily move your current dog from the room you’re holding your new puppy in to give them time to take a break and introduce them again later. Discover Our High-Quality Pet ID Tags & More 4. Get them similar toys and other items. To prevent jealousy from your current dog to your new puppy, try to replace your current dog’s items with new ones. If you’re getting your new puppy a new bed, a custom pet tag, a fresh set of toys and anything else they might enjoy as a way to get used to their new environment, you should also include your current dog in this process. Your current dog might start to feel as though you’re giving more attention to the new puppy, so by giving them new items, too, you are showing your current dog that you still have lots of love for them. 5. Give your current dog space. This one is especially if you have a much older dog than the puppy you’re bringing into your home. Your current dog has probably gotten really used to being the only dog in the house. And, if you’re bringing in a puppy to potentially encourage your older dog to get more active, then you’ll definitely want to make sure you give your current dog space to get used to such fresh and new energy in the house. It can be really overwhelming for a current dog to suddenly be around a new, younger one. Your older dog may even take the role of caretaker with the new puppy. While it might seem really cute and adorable at first, it’s important to remember that your older dog is also probably really stressed. The stress of taking on a caretaker role of a brand new puppy could potentially cause them a strain on their heart or create other behavioral issues that you might not have been expecting. Do yourself and your current dog a favor, and give them the space that they might need when you bring a new puppy into the house. There are lots of ways you can introduce a new puppy to your current dog. Whether you choose to get them matching silicone pet tags or simply give them the chance to get to know each other’s scent before putting them in the same room together, the most important thing you can do is take it slow.