Introducing a puppy to an older dog
Introducing a puppy to an older dog
Author
Discussion

Mr Darcy

Original Poster:

1,006 posts

203 months

Monday 16th August 2010
quotequote all
OK I have swearched google and read a few things but as PH has loads of dog owners I was wondering if anyone has any tips on doing this.


Arese

21,386 posts

218 months

Monday 16th August 2010
quotequote all
Puppy, meet dog. Dog, meet puppy.

Edited by Arese on Monday 16th August 13:22

Justayellowbadge

37,057 posts

273 months

Monday 16th August 2010
quotequote all
Puppy, may I present Older dog.

Older dog, Puppy.


Arese

21,386 posts

218 months

Monday 16th August 2010
quotequote all
Justayellowbadge said:
Puppy, may I present Older dog.

Older dog, Puppy.
irked

Mr Darcy

Original Poster:

1,006 posts

203 months

Monday 16th August 2010
quotequote all
This is what I thought it would be like but apparently its a bit more complicated than that. Plus they don't have little hands to shake.

Justayellowbadge

37,057 posts

273 months

Monday 16th August 2010
quotequote all
Indeed. Sorry, hadn't seen your user name.

They should present each other with their calling cards.

ross-co

411 posts

216 months

Monday 16th August 2010
quotequote all
If the older dog is protective of anything for example "its home" it may well be a good idea to have the meeting in a neutral place i.e a park.

We have done this with our last two dogs (both collies) as our first dog (Dalmation) was very teratorial (sp).

Are you introducing a new dog to the house hold or just trying to get your dog intorduced to a opuppy for instance a friends dog?

Ross

Grey Ghost

4,611 posts

251 months

Monday 16th August 2010
quotequote all
Assuming you own both dogs then the following has worked for me before with my Golden Retrievers. Put the older dog(s) in garden and new puppy is then carried in by me for them to "meet and greet". Older dogs are allowed to sniff etc and then puppy is lowered down so they can all meet "face to face" so to speak, still holding the puppy in my arms. Once they are all happy (i.e. no snapping, growling and the like) release puppy onto grass and see what happens. This is the nervous bit as even with Goldies you can never be 100% sure they will accept a new member of the family but fortunately our ones always have.

Once the initial meeting in the garden has been accomplished then I allow them into the house where the puppy will be shown the sleeping arrangements, water bowl etc. I always feed my dogs in an age order so the puppy will get theirs last and is taught (over a period) not to approach the other dogs bowls whilst they are eating.

It can be a bit hit and miss depending on breed and nature of individual dogs from other owners I have spoken to over the years but if you can control the initial introduction and teach the puppy their place in the hierachy it should be fine.

Mr Darcy

Original Poster:

1,006 posts

203 months

Monday 16th August 2010
quotequote all
Justayellowbadge said:
Indeed. Sorry, hadn't seen your user name.

They should present each other with their calling cards.
Well of course both dogs have to be presented to each other with the parents in presence.



The puppy, once we find one, will be coming home with us to join our little family. Schwartz the dobbie is not possesive and happily plays with the neighbour hood dogs when out in walks and the pup will be a chocolate lab, obviously with schwartz being a dobbie there is potential there for a bit of grief.

Timmy35

13,014 posts

229 months

Monday 16th August 2010
quotequote all
Justayellowbadge said:
Puppy, may I present Older dog.

Puppy said:
Gosh your bigger than me, I'm a bit worried I'll be friendly and wag my tail.
Older dog, Puppy.

Dog said:
Hmmm you're smaller than me, and I can't eat/kill you, I know I'm now going to sniff your backside and bum you senseless.

doc3

483 posts

246 months

Monday 16th August 2010
quotequote all
Quinny said:
I'd do it on neutral ground...smile
Switzerland?

siscar

6,887 posts

248 months

Monday 16th August 2010
quotequote all
Grey Ghost said:
Assuming you own both dogs then the following has worked for me before with my Golden Retrievers. Put the older dog(s) in garden and new puppy is then carried in by me for them to "meet and greet". Older dogs are allowed to sniff etc and then puppy is lowered down so they can all meet "face to face" so to speak, still holding the puppy in my arms. Once they are all happy (i.e. no snapping, growling and the like) release puppy onto grass and see what happens. This is the nervous bit as even with Goldies you can never be 100% sure they will accept a new member of the family but fortunately our ones always have.

Once the initial meeting in the garden has been accomplished then I allow them into the house where the puppy will be shown the sleeping arrangements, water bowl etc. I always feed my dogs in an age order so the puppy will get theirs last and is taught (over a period) not to approach the other dogs bowls whilst they are eating.

It can be a bit hit and miss depending on breed and nature of individual dogs from other owners I have spoken to over the years but if you can control the initial introduction and teach the puppy their place in the hierachy it should be fine.
That's exactly how we've done it, three times so far without any problems. Each time the dog(s) have taken to the puppy and are incredibly indulgent with it. The sight of a big Golden playing tug with a spaniel puppy and letting it win was really memorable.

Marcellus

7,210 posts

250 months

Monday 16th August 2010
quotequote all
Not sure of the "Proper way" but my dog (a bh) is veryquite protective, veryquite territorial, veryquite dominant and when on a lead veryquite aggressive.

However, when introduced to puppies she tends to roll over and let the puppy get away with murder. When the puppy oversteps the mark then she curls her lip and that's the end of discussion.

Seems to be the single "curl of the lip" sets the boundaries and establishes the natural pack order.


Timmy35

13,014 posts

229 months

Monday 16th August 2010
quotequote all
Quinny said:
Marcellus said:
Seems to be the single "curl of the lip" sets the boundaries and establishes the natural pack order.
My Mrs uses a similar techniqueyikes
Well stop sniffing her backside then.

jeff m

4,066 posts

289 months

Monday 16th August 2010
quotequote all
I'll just add to the above....
During introduction, butt sniffing etc the puppy or less dominent inductee should urinate. That shows he/she accepts the other dogs dominence.
Pecking order established.
Wet patch on floor, dogs will be fine.

The puppy may also roll over onto it's back exposing it's stomach, another sign of subserviance.

To test these signs find a friend with an un-nueterd adult male Rotti and roll him on his back, tickle his stomach whilst saying "who's a cute little dog smile
This will prove you should have pi55ed on the floor. Although there is a good chance you did, but too latebiggrin.