15/06/2026
Why going slowly when you take on a new dog is so important we went ultra slow with these 2.
Whilst they were fine storms playful energy was alot for alfie at first when he was a bit shut down and didn't feel very safe.
So it was important for us to manage our expectations. Alfie has been with us 5 weeks today (still early days he is now feeling safe and starting to show us who he really is as he becomes more independant)
Taking those small steps making sure we dodn't rush or leave them together too soon has created the most amazing relationship!
They have been gently and safely given soace to communicate and test eachothers boundaries and with time they are becoming more and more confident with eachother...
Going slowly means you get to assess at each stage what the dogs are good with and what they might need some management around.
If this was rushed I have no doubt it would have gone horribly wrong and we would have dealt with several altercations just from their first meeting...
It would have been easy to say 'this won't work' but that wouldn't have been looking at a whole picture. That would have been disregarding the fact storm had to adjust to a new dog living with him something I realised he has never had to do.
And it would have disregarded everything Alfie has been through and how insecure and confused he was (and at times still is).
So if you have a new dog in the home take it slow! Not just with other dogs but there are many things we are still contending with 1 step at a time. Many things improving everyday!
No judgement, no pressure just each day by day.