Playing with one puppy is fun

but playing with two puppies, now that’s excitement!

By introducing the dogs in the shelter to one another, you’ll be providing both dogs with a playmate that they otherwise would be begging for. Being the social animals they are, dogs thrive on companionship and, when you put two pups like these together, they’ll each have a companion that they can gnaw, bark, wrestle, and jump all over.

Off-leash playing is exciting for all involved, just make sure to keep an eye on both pups and be ready to catch them if need be. We decided to leave the leashes on these two, that way we could have an easy restraint just in case they suddenly ran too far.

Keep these introductions fun, if any excessive nipping takes place, separate them and let them cool down some before trying again.

Puppies tend to be prone to jumping up on people, just as they would with other dogs. When this happens, ignore them. When they don’t get the response they had expected, they’ll eventually give it up for something more exciting.

Only praise the puppy when all fours are on the ground, they’ll soon learn that jumping up goes unrewarded.

Keep these sessions short at first, then build up on them as the pups get used to each other. Soon they’ll be the best of friends.