Opening your home to another animal requires forethought and planning. We asked professional trainers for helpful tips on the best ways to add a new pet to your household.
Plan a Neutral Introduction
Victoria Cherpes of Hunter Mill Retrievers suggests scent swapping as a first step. “Animals have a very keen sense of smell. We can actually introduce them before they ever meet — via their scents. We do this by swapping items like blankets or toys between the animals.”
And for the face-to-face meeting? “Whenever possible, arrange for the pets to meet on neutral ground before bringing the new pet home,” says Brianna Dick of Pack Leader Help.
“Bringing your current pet with you to the shelter, adoption event, or breeder is best,” says Brian Kirchner of Good Dog Workshop.
Erica Pytlovany of Woofs! Dog Training Center also advises that you provide ample space. “Where possible, avoid doing an introduction in a small room or other tight space. If introducing a dog and cat, make sure that the cat has ample places to hide or to jump onto a higher table or counter that the dog cannot access.”
Have an Integration Plan
Be thoughtful about the introduction. “Most pets aren’t going to appreciate a brand-new animal being marched into their home and plopped down on the living room floor,” says Juliana DeWillems of JW Dog Training & Behavior.
For dogs, Kirchner suggests a walk around the neighborhood with both the new dog and the original dog first. “This establishes the new dog’s role in the pack and lets the dog learn their new environment, and each other.”
Adding a second cat requires a different strategy, according to DeWillems: “For cats, it’s usually best to keep them separated for anywhere from a few days to a few weeks depending on the behavior you’re seeing from both cats.”
Maintain Structure and Routine
“Both pets benefit when expectations are clear. Keeping consistent feeding times, exercise schedules, and training routines ensures stability. This also prevents the [first] pet from feeling displaced and helps the new pet settle in more smoothly,” says Dick.
Be Patient
“Successful introductions take time, patience, and consistency. A proactive approach to training, supervision, and structured downtime ensures both pets can adapt with minimal disruption to the household,” says Dick. As everyone adjusts, make sure to spend time with each pet individually, says DeWillems.
Feature image, stock.adobe.com
This story originally ran in our October issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
