Meet & greet

When any new dog joins an established ‘gang’, whether that’s of two or ten or however many, they need to be introduced properly. Think of it as going in to a party where you know no-one and everyone else there knows everyone else: you need to be looked after a bit, you need to know who to trust, you need help in how to handle it - and you need to know where the bar & snacks are!

Here’s a snapshot of how we introduce new dogs here at HoM. It’s always the same process, whether they’ve been a hundred times or whether this is their first; and whether they’ve met all the dogs before or whether they’re meeting for the first time. The only thing that varies is the time we take over it - basically if there’s any sign of tension, we go sloooooow until the tension is gone…

Unfortunately you’ve only got half a video as this was taken last year and the second half seems to have been chopped off! But there’s enough to hopefully give a good idea: it’s basically the new dog settles down in the yard as we say hello and take charge of kit; then one at a time the existing dogs come out of the kitchen door in to the yard to meet the new arrival; once all happy and relaxed together in the yard we move through onto the lawn where there’s a bit more space and a softer surface to run on, repeat the exercise there; and only once all are happy and relaxed in that environment do we open the door and head on in to the house. To find the bar and snacks!

Simple, but effective. Non-negotiable.

(And for any budding animal behaviouralists out there, the MOST fascinating process to watch, and learn about body language, and learn in detail-depth about the dogs you’ve got in your care. I watched a gorgeous Uncle-type Flattie last week take a very nervous newcomer under his wing by simply sitting alongside her, and being relaxed as she unwound. I can only guess what he was saying to her, but if it was being portrayed in an advert I feel sure a cuppa would be involved, and maybe a flat cap! Gorgeous…)