Adopter Series: Holiday Dog Introductions

Did you know that Thanksgiving is the busiest time of year for dog trainers?

During a season where everybody is planning elaborate meals and preparing for Black Friday shopping, we don’t consider our dogs’ reaction to new people in our homes. When we don’t plan for proper introductions, accidents can happen. Guests might get bitten by a scared, defensive pup or end up in the crossfires of a dog fight. That’s where we come into the picture. 

Learn how to avoid this common Thanksgiving mishap by intentionally introducing your pup to new guests – animal and human alike.

Introducing Dogs to People

To you, Aunt Linda is a welcome guest at Thanksgiving dinner. But to your dog, Aunt Linda might feel like a home invader infringing on their territory. And Cousin Sarah’s toddler son may feel like an unpredictable, loud, foreign creature that is not to be trusted. To help your dog acclimate to new people in the home, it’s important to plan intentional introductions. 

Humans like to approach each other directly, but this is considered rude and threatening to dogs. When considering how to introduce dogs to strangers, a quote from Patricia B. McConnell’s The Other End of the Leash: Why We Do What We Do Around Dogs sticks out to me:

“The next time you see a dog you’d like to greet, stop a few feet away, stand sideways rather than straight on, and avoid looking directly into her eyes. Wait for the dog to come all the way to you. If she doesn’t, she doesn’t want to be petted. So don’t pet her… If the dog approaches you with a relaxed rather than a stiff body, let the dog sniff your hand, careful to hold your hand low, under rather than over her head. Always pet unfamiliar dogs on the chest or under their chin. Don’t reach over their heads to pet them.”

Your pup might tolerate your hugs and kisses, but they might not respond well if Aunt Linda goes straight for a hug before properly introducing herself.

In addition to following McConnel’s tips, you can encourage positive interactions by having guests give your pup treats. If your dog jumps on guests, tell them to turn their backs and withdraw all attention. Eventually, your pup will realize that jumping doesn’t get them attention.

Be sure to always monitor your pup with kids, especially those that are too young to understand how dog body language differs from their own. If you suspect that your dog might not respond well to loud noises, unpredictable movements, or grabbing, it’s best to be safe and keep them away from kids or only allow interactions through a baby gate. 

Introducing Dogs to Each Other

You’ve just found out that your uncle Bill has to bring his new puppy to Thanksgiving dinner, but you’re not sure how your resident dog is going to react to a newcomer in her territory. What should you do?

First, consider your dog’s temperament and past experiences with other dogs. Has your pup been attacked in the past? How does she react to other dogs on walks? If your dog has a history of conflict with other pups, then option #1 is to tell uncle Bill to hire a pet sitter. 

However, let’s assume your dog tends to get along with others. That brings us to option #2: follow the steps below to introduce pups a few days before Thanksgiving.

Step 1: On-Leash Dog Introduction

Start in a neutral, outdoor area with lots of space. To avoid any territorialism, this should be a park or a field that neither dog has been to before. 

With one person walking each dog on a loose leash, walk the pups several feet away from each other in the same direction. Any time the dogs look at each other, reward them with a treat. Once the dogs are calm, move a bit closer. 

When introducing dogs on-leash, try to avoid the dogs approaching each other face-to-face. This could cause tension and conflict. Instead, walk them side-by-side before allowing them to greet each other in a circular manner. 

Repeat this process, moving to walk closer together when the dogs are calm. If they start to get too excited, move farther away until they calm down and try again. Repeat this process until both handlers are walking side-by-side with the dogs on the outside. 

Once both pups are calmly walking next to each other, let them circle each other on leash, allowing them to sniff. After a few seconds of sniffing and circling, lead them away for a break. Repeat this process several times, looking out for dog body language green flags (like loose, relaxed bodies) and red flags (like stiffening tails, lip licking, or yawning). These red flags signal that the dogs are feeling stressed or defensive, so make sure to separate them and allow for a long break if you see them. 

Step 2: Off-Leash Dog Introduction

Once the pups are comfortable with each other on-leash, take them to a safe, enclosed outdoor area and allow them to interact off-leash. Keep an eye out for the body language red flags mentioned above, and separate the dogs as soon as you see any of them.

Make sure the dogs are playing respectfully by watching for a give-and-take dynamic. Dogs naturally play in short bursts, taking breaks to cool off every few minutes before re-engaging. If you notice the dogs are playing for long, uninterrupted periods or that one dog is being pushy when the other is trying to disengage, encourage more polite play by separating the dogs every few minutes. 

Step 3: Indoor Dog Introduction

Once the dogs are comfortable and respectful outside, it’s time to take things indoors. First, have somebody take the resident dog on a walk while the new dog goes inside to inspect the home. Let the new pup explore without the distraction of another dog. 

Once the new dog seems comfortable, bring the resident dog back. Most dog fights occur when pups first meet in a new home, so make sure they meet in an open area away from any entryways, which can unintentionally cause scuffles and chaos. Pick up objects that could create tension or territorialism, like toys, treats, and even food bowls. 

If the pups seem comfortable with each other indoors, then Thanksgiving dinner is a go! If not, resort to option #1: pet sitter. 

Step 4: Thanksgiving Dinner Tips

To avoid a Thanksgiving-Day dog fight, eliminate any competition over food. According to Laurie Lawless, most Thanksgiving-Day dog fights occur right under the dinner table. Well-intentioned guests may even end up as unintentional casualties if they reach down and try to break things up. Once dinner is served, your safest bet is to separate the pups in crates or another safe, enclosed space away from the dining room.

By planning ahead for Thanksgiving introductions, you and your pup can relax and enjoy a stress-free holiday season.

Whether you’ve already had a Thanksgiving mishap, are wanting more help preparing your pup for the holidays, or you’d just like to learn more about dog behavior, we can help!