Introducing a new dog home

[junecpg]

Hi all,

I have a 7-month old female toy poodle, Sammie, who is currently my only dog. I have recently purchased a 2-month old westipoo, whom I will name Sparkie and will be bringing him home this coming Friday.

Sammie is very friendly towards human where she gets very excited when she meets my friends. However, she seems to be timid and shy with other dogs, including my aunts' dogs. There was once where I brought her along when I went to view some westies (which I didn't buy) but she was not keen to smell or make friends with them. The purchase of Sparkie was unplanned, and hence, she was not with me for me to gauge her feeling towards him.

Are there any steps that I can take to ensure that she accepts him to our home so that they can be friends and get along? My intention of getting Sparkie is for them to accompany each other when I am at work and I hope this will turn out well. My friend has advised that I should let them meet at the door, before bringing Sparkie in so that they can smell and make friends before they go into the house together.

Your advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!

[kjd]

June,

You should introduce new dogs on neutral territory. Let them meet at a dog park or some place that 'belongs' to neither dog. There is more to it than that, but that is the very first rule of bringing in a new dog.

Cesar Milan would probably suggest that, after they meet, you take both dogs for a long walk together. This gives them a chance to get to know one another in a situation where both are obeying you.

Good luck,
kjd

[junecpg]

Thanks kjd. Appreciate your advice

[MaxHollyNoah]

In addition to what kjd suggested, it will be easier to treat Sammie as the number one dog.

Make sure Sammie will have your attention, foods, treats, walks, anything first and Sparkie will be the second. It has nothing to do with the size or which dog is more dominant. YOU can decide the pecking order, not between them.

By doing this, Sparkie will treat Sammie with respect and Sammie won't have to be threatened by the new addition.

Good luck

[junecpg]

Hi MaxHollyNoah,

I have brought Sparkie home and will definitely have Sammie as the leader as she is very well behaved. This boy, on the other hand, is very cheeky, playful and naughty! I am hoping that Sammie will be able to lead by example

Sammie is getting used to having Sparkie around and they are occassionally playing under my watch... However, Sparkie needs to undergo toilet training and hence, observation on my end is very crucial.

Thanks all.