Second Dog Introduction Checklist
How do you introduce a new dog to your dog? Outdoors on neutral ground, each dog on a loose leash with its own handler, starting far apart and walking in parallel before any greeting, as Humane World for Animals and VCA describe. At home, pick up food, chews and toys before they share the space, feed them apart and keep them separated when you can’t supervise. This one-page checklist covers the meeting, the home prep, the body language to watch and a log for the first weeks.
Fillable · bilingual EN/ES · vet-sourced, not a scanned template.
Got the free sheet? The full version → Second Dog Introduction Guide $5.98 What's inside
- The meeting in six steps, from neutral ground to walking home together
- Home prep: what to pick up, separate feeding, extra bowls and beds, gates, one-on-one time
- Body language: what “going well” looks like and when to step in
- A fillable first-weeks log
How to use it
- Read the steps with your helper before the meeting, and bring high-value treats for both dogs.
- Do the home prep before the new dog comes inside.
- Log each day: what you did together, how it went, anything to change.
- Keep supervising until you are fully confident they are safe together.
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- Should dogs meet for the first time at home?
- No. VCA and Humane World for Animals both recommend meeting outdoors on neutral ground first, a place new to both dogs, with each dog on a loose leash and its own handler.
- What are good signs at a first meeting?
- Relaxed faces, play bows, fast loose wags and wiggly back ends, according to the AKC. Raised hackles, a stiff walk, a hard stare, growling or bared teeth mean add distance and try again later.
- My dog growled at the new dog. Should I correct it?
- VCA advises not scolding a growl: it is a warning that gives you information. Calmly add distance, and talk to a behavior professional if tension keeps building.
- When can I leave them alone together?
- None of the major sources gives a fixed number of days. Humane World for Animals says to keep supervising until you are completely confident they are safe; until then, separate them when you are out.
Free educational printable. Not veterinary advice, and not a substitute for your vet's official records or an emergency call. Full disclaimer → · Leer en español →