How to Introduce a Pomsky Puppy to Your Adult Dog

When you bring home a new pomsky puppy it can be a very exciting time for your family. If you already have another pomsky or adult dog, you might feel unsure about how the first meeting will go, or wonder if your dogs will get along. This post includes how to prepare for your dogs’ first meeting, tips for introducing your new pomsky puppy to your adult dog, and how to train your new puppy and adult dog.

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Before Your Dogs Meet

There are some easy steps you can take to prepare your home and dog so you are ready for the initial meeting:

Give your adult dog something that has been used by the new puppy (such as a blanket or toy from the breeder), so your dog can become familiar with the new puppy’s scent.
Temporarily remove your adult dog’s toys and bed from the floor during the first time your new puppy is inside the house – this will prevent your adult pomsky from being territorial about their personal belongings.
Set up two separate food bowls, water bowls and beds so your dogs each have their own area. You will also want to have separate crates for each dog.
Have a gate or playpen ready to divide areas of the home as needed, so your dogs can stay in separate areas. They can approach the gate and smell each other but will not need to share the same space initially.
Make sure both your adult dog and new pomsky puppy are up to date on their vaccinations to prevent them from transferring diseases to each other.

First Time Meeting

When your adult dog meets the new puppy for the first time, this should happen outside in a neutral location such as a park or pet store, with both dogs on a leash. Let them sniff each other and keep both dogs calm by petting them and providing treats. If your adult pomsky growls or barks, they are showing signs that they are uncomfortable, and the new puppy should be redirected to a different area or activity. You do not need to scold your adult dog for growling or barking, as this is a natural way for your new puppy to learn that they need to give the dog space or back off.

During the initial meeting, it works the best if you have two people, one to support each dog.

Warning Signs

When your new pomsky puppy and adult dog first meet, you will want to watch for warning signs that one or both of your dogs is feeling uncomfortable. Common signs that pomskies use to show that they are stressed or uncomfortable include:

Whining
Pacing
Heavy breathing or panting
Snarling or showing their teeth
Excessive licking
Wanting to stay very close to you
Shaking or trembling
Ears down or tail down
Hiding
Whale Eye

If either of your dogs is showing signs that they are stressed, you should give the dogs a break from each other and provide distractions such as play time, treats and a calming environment. Read our blog post Signs Your Pomsky Dog is Stressed to learn more about what to look for when your pomsky dog is stressed and calming strategies.

Training Sessions

Initially, you will need to have two separate training sessions for each of your dogs. Your new puppy will have less impulse control and will not know the commands that your adult dog knows well. Start training your new pomsky puppy from the very beginning so they know what is expected of them. Both of your dogs will appreciate the undivided attention they receive from you during their individual training sessions without the distraction of the other dog.

Your dogs will have the best social interactions when they have first received physical and mental exercise and stimulation. Try walking your dogs together to release their energy and create an opportunity to bond while training. The first few times you walk your dogs together bring training treats and a clicker. Your new puppy will be learning the skill of loose leash walking, and your adult dog will be learning how to go for a walk with another dog. Both dogs will benefit from receiving verbal positive reinforcement such as “yes!” or “good girl/boy!” paired with a clicker and treats when they demonstrate the desired behaviors.

Time to Adjust

Pomsky puppies have a lot of energy, and their social skills are still developing, so they don’t understand how to interact and play with other dogs. It will take time for the new puppy to learn boundaries in the home and daily routines. Give each dog the opportunity to be in the crate, to separate them from each other and provide one of the dogs an opportunity to explore their environment independently. Your adult dog might become exhausted from the new puppy’s energy and will appreciate this time alone.

Make sure you supervise all of your dogs’ interactions in the beginning to prevent them from becoming aggressive. Sometimes your adult dog will become too rough while playing with the new puppy because they are unaware of their size or strength. As your dogs learn more about each other’s personalities, they will find a balance and learn to live together. Just like human siblings, your dogs might not always get along, but with the right training they should create a life-long bond.

Summary

When you first get a new pomsky puppy you and your family are likely very excited, but also unsure how they will interact with your adult dog. It is important that you introduce your new puppy to your adult dog in a neutral location, with two people present to support each dog. Train your dogs and supervise their play time, and they will learn to live together in harmony.