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Also, make sure that you check out our 100% authentic testimonials from people who have bought Secrets to Dog Training and find out the massive difference it has made to their owner-dog relationship!
I am really glad that I found your book on line. I have a two year old Lab mix named Buddy. I drove to Indiana to pick him up from my Sister. Someone had abandoned him. He has a great disposition does great around kids and other dogs. But the trip back to Florida was a real challenge. Buddy doesn't seem to like to ride in cars very much. I would imagine some type of bad experience at one time. So it was quite a struggle to get him into the car. The whole ride back was always a struggle. But sometimes a treat would help other times I had to wrestle with him to get him in the car. After I got home and found your book on line it was a real lifesaver. I finally got Buddy to finally respond to the treats and he finally would take short ride.
I was very pleased after I had E-mailed your staff on this problem which I got some great advice on. Also your points while having the dog on a leash had some good advice. I try to talk a softer tone and don't yank on the leash as hard anymore and get better results. The chapter on Dog Whispering I find real interesting. But since I have read into your book which pretty well covers everything you need to know. It has been a real big help to me.
All the other books on grooming ,and security also were very interesting to read about. I believe your book pretty well covers about everything you would need to know from puppies all the way up to adult dog. Thank You." -- Ben Richmond (Florida USA)
Dear Daniel,
I have written in the past, and posted a testimonial about my dog Robbie, who has mellowed into a much more easily handled dog now that he is over 1 year of age.
Recently we've been asked to adopt a very sweet, well trained 4 year old boxer from my brother-in-law. He will have her spayed, and then bring her to us in about 3 weeks.
Aside from re-installing another receiver for our electric fence and getting her a collar, I am wondering what is the best way to introduce such a "fine" dog to our rather "unrefined" mutt. Her owner will stay a day or two, but other than that, should we put them together at night to sleep, or crate her elsewhere?
She recently lost her constant companion, so may be grateful for the company. Should we feed them separately for a while? Also, she is used to sitting on furniture, which will not be allowed here, but I have a feeling that won't be too difficult a habit to break with a sharp command and maybe a can of pebbles. She is well trained.
My dog has only ever been exposed to one other, obviously alpha, very large mastiff, but I imagine he will take the alpha role. Should we allow this rather uncomfortable process to occur as soon as possible? I think you know what I mean, as to how dogs establish the alpha, it can look scary, but they have to do it.
Sorry for so many questions, we are so happy to have her, but I want Robbie to enjoy her company as well, and I don't want her traumatized.
Thanks so very much
Andrea
Hi there Andrea,
Thank you very much for your email regarding your dog Robbie and the 4 year old Boxer you will soon acquire into your family. I loved the picture of Robbie - thank you!
When introducing an adult dog into a household that already has at dog, you need to do so very carefully.
Since introducing an adult animal can be stressful to current residents, it makes sense not to do it at a time when Robbie is already under stress – if you have just moved to a new house or apartment, for instance, or if he is recovering from an illness or injury. If Robbie displays any inappropriate aggressive behavior towards the newcomer, the behavior should be quickly and firmly corrected, since the dog must learn what is acceptable and what isn't. But do not force the animals to be together if they do not get along. Extra supervision is called for if the new dog is much smaller than the resident dog. A large dog can easily injure a small one in play or overtire her. But, on the whole, dogs will work things out on their own, and, in most situations where the animals have been properly introduced, they will become friends.
Timing is also important. I would recommend in your case that you first introduce Robbie to the boxer in a neutral area such as initially perhaps at your brother in laws, if possible, a few days before you take the boxer home for the first time. Then when you get her home on the first day, let your dogs meet again at the front of the house in an area the dogs don’t usually use. Let them get used to the new smells and so on. For the first week or two, it may be an idea to keep the boxer separated from Robbie for most of the day and try slowly introducing it into other areas of the house for certain periods of the day with short meetings with Robbie during the day. Slowly increase the frequency of these meetings until several weeks after first getting the boxer home, you allow it a full access of the house. Make sure you quickly and firmly reprimand any growling, nipping or aggressive appearing behaviors from Robbie or the Boxer.
It is important to provide equal attention to both the new and established pets. This includes one-on-one time, appropriate exercise and play time, and lots of love. If it appears that the new animal is getting all the attention, Robbie may become jealous and redirect his jealousy aggression toward the boxer and cause injury. Animals are very intuitive. You may notice that Robbie may put his body between you and the boxer or try to ‘steal' your attention from her. As for the Alpha dog training, I agree that you need to sort this out pretty quickly upon getting her home. I also agree that Robbie should be the Alpha dog, since he has been established in his territory for quite some time. Be sure to re-read the bonus book on "Secrets To Becoming The Alpha Dog" and undertake these techniques with the Boxer as well as Robbie, although it sounds as though she is already very well behaved. You can also use these techniques to reinforce Robbie as the Alpha dog over the Boxer. This will include of course, feeding him first, allowing him into the house before the Boxer (but after you) and so on. Feeding should be separate for a while, until you are comfortable enough that the two dogs will not fight over their food. As above, it is probably best to allow Robbie to eat first anyway, to help reinforce him as the Alpha dog.
It sounds as though you are a very responsible dog owner, so I’m sure you will have no problem introducing this new dog into your family. Be sure to give the two dogs time to get used to each other and their smells. If you do thinks slowly and carefully along with reprimanding bad behaviors, you should make progress relatively quickly. As well as reprimanding however, it is also very important to ensure that you also reward the two dogs when they are playing well together or interacting in a positive fashion. It will definitely make things easier if you let the dogs interact in a neutral area first of all and let them build up a friendship before brining the Boxer home, but this will of course on the exact circumstances of the situation.
Best of luck with your dogs and please let us know how the introduction goes.
Kind regards,
Daniel Stevens and the Secrets to Dog Training Team
"Secrets to Dog Training - STOP Dog Behavior Problems!"
I've been a professional dog trainer for well over 20 years, and in that time I've helped thousands of dog owners just like you to get the friendly, well behaved, slipper fetching, best pal they always wanted.
But it didn't start out that way. I've always loved dogs, some things never change. But when I first started my professional dog training career I relied on the so-called 'best practices' when it came to dog behavior training. It was only when I heard people tell me over and over again that they just weren't seeing results that I started to question the old accepted wisdom. So I started a journey, a quest to search out the best, most effective, techniques, tips, and tricks that really work.
And that's how I came up with Secrets to Dog Training. Year after year I found new techniques that achieved the results I wanted. Eventually I had a whole book worth of great resources: Secrets to Dog training...
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