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Writer's pictureRubyRed

Introducing a New Pet to the Pack

Tips to a happy furry transition.

It's Christmas time, and you've decided to grow your fur family. The excitement of the idea has your tail wagging like a speedy windshield wiper. What a pawtastic Christmas gift for the family! 


But what will the fur crew do when they meet the newcomer? No matter what pet you add to your furry tribe, understanding and respecting pack dynamics is not just a suggestion but a crucial step for creating a harmonious and structured pack environment for all family members. This knowledge will empower you as a pet owner and ensure a smooth integration process. 


In the doggy world, three or more dogs are considered a pack. Therefore, when a new member comes along, the dogs in the pack immediately develop a ranking structure that will include an alpha leader. You should ALWAYS establish yourself as the alpha. Otherwise, they will enter the role if your dog senses their human leader is not strong enough. While we think it's cute, and we love the idea of our dogs taking on protective roles, we have relinquished control of our homes to our dogs. Our loss of control is why dog fights happen, and while they do love us, they don't respect us. 


When adding a new furry family member to the pack, it's essential to consider a few things to ensure a smooth transition. This reassurance will help all involved feel confident in the process. 

1) Be realistic about your current home situation. Humans often allow their emotions to make decisions that are not considered the best. While their hearts are in the right place, these emotional mistakes are why so many pets are returned to shelters, and the idea of having a harmonious furry family quickly turns into a nightmare.  


Acclimating a new pet can take months! Nowadays, humans expect instant gratification, another reason why pets are returned to shelters. An immense amount of patience, compassion, and love is required for a new pet to acclimate to their new home environment fully.


2) Allow your current fur kids to meet the new kid in neutral territory. For dogs, take the pups to a community park to meet. (Not a dog park!) After the initial sniff and greet, take all pups on a pack walk, a structured walk where the dogs align with the human leader at the front, and the other dogs follow to build a pack bond. 


3) Before you bring the new pet home, it's crucial to prepare the space. Remove any items that could trigger territorial behavior, such as food, treats, toys, and beds. These are things that the existing pets might consider their own and could lead to conflict if the new pet tries to use them. This proactive step will help prevent potential conflicts and ensure a smoother transition for everyone.  


4) Let the new kid slowly acclimate to the new environment without the other kids getting in the way. Designating a safety zone for the latest pet also helps them feel more comfortable in the new environment. 


5) Always supervise interactions to ensure quick resolutions should an incident occur. This responsibility is part of being a pet owner and pack alpha. Use positive reinforcement to help encourage all pets and make everyone feel comfortable. Your job is to demonstrate that aggression will not be tolerated, ensuring a safe and harmonious environment for all. 




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