INTRODUCTIONS

I'll request that you text me an ETA when you're in the car so I can ensure the yard is clear before you come. I use this ETA to secure my pack just a few minutes before you arrive, to minimize their anxities. Helping me with an accurate ETA makes all the difference.

I'll request you text me when you arrive. I'll meet you at the gate. I'll bring your dog into the yard, take their food and meds and give you a chance to say goodbye to your fur bay.

1. Your baby gets the yard alone to smell the other dogs' scents.

2. I bring your baby inside and my pack spends time in the small pen so they can smell your dog is here and your dog can now leave their smell in the house.

3. I secure your pup inside on one side of a gate or glass door. I bring the pack in and secure them, bringing only one dog out at a time for introductions. If I have a sense of reactivity, both dogs will be in harnesses and/or on leashes. Based on the pack and the energy your dog has, I will determine if it's safer to do a glass door intro or a gated hello and I may change this all together. 

4. I'm looking for signs of aggression, reactiveness, anxiety-hair standing, drooling, tail wagging, tucked or pointed, their stance, their sounds, their movements.

If all goes well, we rinse and repeat with each dog until everyone has said hello. I may then do 2 dogs together or if all is good (as it usually is since my pack is prescreened and everyone has even keeled temperaments), we will start as a pack in the pen. If this goes well, we move to the main yard and take a perimeter walk to bond as a pack. 

I'm looking for rough play, bossy play, aggression, fear, anxiety, confidence... any sign that let's me know this is going well or we need to take more precautions.

I usually can update you within 15-20 minutes if the behavior is friendly as expected, but no later than 1 hour if we have challenges.