Introductions are always best tackled on neutral territory, where neither dog feels threatened or feels the need to defend "turf".

If you can enlist the aid of a friend, a favorite technique of our foster homes is to take the dogs for a walk, side-by-side. Start out with both humans in the center and walk at a brisk pace. After a few minutes, move one of the dogs to the inside so now you are walking dog-human-dog-human. After a few more minutes, move the other dog to the inside so the dogs have access to each other and can sniff. Keep walking for five minutes or so, allowing the dogs to both settle down enough to decrease the over-excitement.  When you feel like both dogs can interact without either dog feeling threatened, head into your house or yard and allow them to interact off leash under your watchful eye.

Last updated on March 6, 2011 by Marianne Ahern