People are always asking (with good reason) how we introduce new dogs to daycare. While our process is not as formal as a step by step checklist, we do have a tried and true method of integrating a new member into the group. To illustrate, I documented today’s introduction of Cash, a lab who will be staying with us for a few days. Although you cannot see any staff in the photos, there are always at least two employees present during the introduction process.
First, we allow the new dog to investigate what we refer to as the “neutral” area; This refers to the play area in which the main group of dogs is not in at any given time: either the large indoor area or the outdoor area. While he gets a better idea of where he is and who has been there before him, we pet him, play with him, and get a general sense of how the dog reacts to human interaction. If there are any doubts as to the dogs submissiveness towards humans (ie growling, snarling, snapping…any aggression) we will not move forward.
Assuming that we determine the dog interacts well with humans, we will add a submissive dog of the opposite sex to meet the new dog. This allows us to see how he interacts with the type of dog who poses the least threat to him, as opposed to a dominant dog of the same sex. Today, Violet and Viola were the first to meet Cash. They both approved!
We will then add, one at a time, first a submissive, and then a more initiative, confident, and “dominant” dog of the same sex. This, more or less, is the ultimate test. We can expect to see pretty significant interest and some hesitation, but hope to see a friendly, calm, and cooperative interaction between the dogs. We introduced two of our most social and most outgoing males to Cash, Diesel and Rusty. Here is Rusty asking Cash to be friends with a lick on the face!
Oftentimes, dogs with a similar disposition will test each other by putting their paws on the other’s back in order to establish an “I’m in charge” stance. Today, Rusty and Cash went back and forth like this for a little while, ultimately putting themselves on equal footing.
A dog with minimal previous socialization usually takes somewhere between 2 and 5 visits before they feel completely comfortable with the energetic atmosphere here, but let me tell you how much fun it is to see a dog come out of his or her shell over time. All of our current regulars went through this process with one another and are now best friends! Cash was already a well socialized dog and fit into our “pack” quickly and easily. Here he is with his new friends.
