Introducing a new pup

[mackico]

Say I were to, hypothetically, attain a new puppy. How ought I go about introducing it to an extant dog?

[Tedsmum]

Hi there are so many variables to this that you need to give a bit more information about your existing dog.
Is your dog normally friendly towards other dogs and puppies?
How old is your dog?
Is your dog neutered?
How well trained is your dog?
Which breed is your dog?

Give us a bit more and I am sure that advice will be forthcoming.

[ArchandEbs]

When I introduced Ella-Bella to Arch (who was de-sexed - I didn't want any accidents!) I did it on neutral ground. Ella-Bella also brought Arch some treats.

When we came inside Arch brought Ella-Bella his favourite toy.

When I've introduced the rescue dogs to Arch and Ella-Bella it's always been on neutral ground.

I've been lucky I've never had any dramas - then again when they did my homecheck for Poppy they brought a dog in with them and Arch and Ella-Bella weren't bothered. I think they're at the stage that if it's OK with me it's OK with them.

Arch and Ella-Bella are seniors. Arch is nearly 12 and Ella-Bella will soon be 10. I introduced Ella-Bella to Arch when she was a puppy and he was around 2. Harry I rescued in June 2009 and Poppy joined us in November 2010.

Hope this helps. I'm not saying it's the right thing to do - just what has worked for me.

[mackico]

The existing dog is Archie my GSD, 2 years 7 months, neutered and usually pretty good around other dogs. He's not highly trained, but he knows all his basics and then some. He's never really interacted with young pups, however.

[zetstaff]

Originally Posted by mackico

The existing dog is Archie my GSD, 2 years 7 months, neutered and usually pretty good around other dogs. He's not highly trained, but he knows all his basics and then some. He's never really interacted with young pups, however.

Our boy was 15 months when we brought 7 1/2 week old Tilly home, + he really didn't like her very much We had to be very careful.

They were only allowed to interact when we were there, she spent the rest of her time in a cage. Tilly can hold her own but even now Boris is about 3 times the size of her !!! You have to have eyes in your backside, till you can be at least 500% sure they will be ok together.

If it's a tiny pup, you can't introduce on neutral ground because of jabs etc, but you must ensure your dog has had a long walk/good run to expel as much energy as possible so he/she will be as mellow as possible

Once done though, although you have twice as much poo to pick up, you get twice as much pleasure

[firesrye]

I have 5 gsds all but 1 are dog friendly (althought Freya is only DA outside and will accept any dog into the house).
When getting a new pup i bring them straight into the house sit on floor with pup and let everbody have a sniff and heypresto i have a full new family member i guess im lucky as i no not everybody has it so easy

I got 7 month old pup Zee when Remus was nearly 2. I was looking at getting another GSD but a suitable rescue hadn't shown up temperament-wise (Remus is a bit of a wuss). Acquired Zee by accident as went to assess her on behalf of a rescue, took Remus to see what she was like with other dogs and they didn't stop playing! So the decision was made.

Two are twice the fun, twice the mess & hoovering; more costs. The pack dynamic changes having two, you have to be more in control I think. Train separately to gain respect.

Be prepared to get snubbed, tutted at, scowled at even more by random people while out walking your dogs (yes it is possible). But you'll always get waved at by the Police, or maybe that's just me!

And remember 2+ dogs never teach each other good things!