I need advice (and vibes) on introducing a new dog (female)

[hedgehog]

to my older dog (male hound mix) and younger dog (male spitz). Both of my dogs are neutered. I'm dog sitting for a friend who has a bad back and can't take care of her dog for a while.

[rocktivity]

1. Be sure to cross post to the DU Pets forum

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1161


rocktivity

[hlthe2b]

2. female to female is generally far trickier... Just bring them in under supervision...

Be there with them, but let them do their sniffing thing (without restraint of any kind) and exert calm energy. They'll work it out. Male dogs with a female household introduction usually goes pretty smoothly

[a la izquierda]

3. My husband just had to do this.

He's watching a client's dog at our house in two weeks. Our large male dog can be weird with other dogs, but generally likes females. He brought both dogs to neutral territory. He introduced them while leashed, then walked them together. Then he brought the female over to our house to meet our other two much smaller male dogs. All four dogs did very, very well.

Starting on neutral territory is a good way to go.

[applegrove]

4. Could you try and introduce them while on a walk? A chance encounter? Let them play together?

I don't know dogs but that is what I would do.

[hedgehog]

5. Thanks for the advice,all. I'm sorry I don't have more info -

the dog belongs to a 93 year old lady from Church who has hurt her back, and I offered to board the dog until she's back on her feet. So, this is all kind of sudden and I'm going to be winging it.

[riderinthestorm]

6. Are your dogs problematic when they meet strange dogs?

If your dogs are really sanguine (and hers as well) then it probably won't be a problem doing it at your house or at the woman's house.

In my experienced neutered dogs are usually pretty open minded about meeting and getting along with strange dogs. The trouble will happen (if its going to happen) when they have to figure out the pecking order over the stuff that matters to them (like bones, dog dishes, toys and beds, snuggling with you etc). You may get some bristly behavior over that stuff but if you make sure the pack knows you are in control, they usually back down. Three dogs is a pack so be sure they know you are the boss.

Keep the leashes on for the first little bit so if there's trouble you can (hopefully) grab it to assert some control.

Good luck!

[hedgehog]

7. Well, the new dog is a vary old collie mix, and she's staying in the kennel cage tonight.

The old hound made his status known, and he's cool now. The little spitz is standing in front of the cage barking, but it's mostly that he's an idiot and wants to play.


I have the new dog's bedding, so that's here for everyone to get used to.

[hedgehog]

8. I think Star is a little nervous around my other dogs yet, so she's in the crate when they're

loose, they're upstairs in my room when she's loose.

I've gotten her to eat a little, and she finally drank some water. She spent about an hour standing outside in the pen and pacing around the downstairs getting familiar with the place.

I think I want to see her relaxed about being here before putting her in the same space at the same time as the other two dogs. I don't think she ever was more than a block or so from L's apartment.

I am so glad I spoke up when someone told me that L. was worried about her dog- she was considering having her put down! That sounds terrible, but L. is moving to a senior living campus and Star is so old she'd never be adopted from a shelter. Star is a very old girl, but she's got some good days left in her. I hope she makes it to the summer, I think she'd enjoy lying on the grass.

[riderinthestorm]

9. Your new pack is going to be fine.

As long as no one is taking an aggressive stance you're on the right track.

Thank you for being there for this old girl (x2)