Which of the two methods is best when introducing dog and puppy.?

Question

I have read 2 ways to intoduce dogs. The first is to introduce at a neutral place like at an empty dog park. The second is to bring the puppy home. Then keep one in the kennel and switch them out. But keep them in the same room, so they can sniff each other &see each other. Then after they lose intrest in each other make an introduction with one at opposite sides of a fence. Then take them on a walk together going a diffrent route than you normally take your old dog on, if all goes well, then let them be together in the house. Which do you think is best?

My first dog loves to play with other dogs.

Answer 1

I think it works best if you meet with them at a neutral place, park etc... Then let them meet, and play and have fun and then all go home together.. Seems to work out best.

Answer 2

There are so many factors to consider . First off how dominant is your dog , how dominant are you , does your dog take you for a walk ? I would try a neutral place first , your current pet may think he has a duty to protect his turf . When walking the two of them let them sniff but keep concentrating on what your doing and not each other , if one becomes aggressive then make sure you have a proper lead or collar on him , a proper fitting choke collar would be recommended . How social is your dog now , that will more or less tell you what problems you might run into . Once they have " met " and it seems like there will be no problems let them run together there will be signs that they give off if something is going to happen . Cesar Millan who is known as The Dog Whisperer is probably about the best authority on dog behaviour I have provided a link to his site , you might find an answer there and he has several books that will defiantly help you with your question .

Answer 3

What has always worked really well for me (keeping in mind that I've never had a dog who was really aggressive towards other dogs) is to have them in adjacent rooms separated by a baby gate, but so they can see and smell each other. To a dog, smell is the important thing. When your older dog seems calm about the puppy's presence, that's the time to introduce them (and this process could take a few days, depends on your dog).

Let them in a room together, supervised. If they're ok, you'll still need to keep an eye on them for a while, you may not want to let them outside together depending on size difference. Always make sure your older dog can get away from the puppy when he needs a break.

Walking them together is also great, but not until they're getting along because being on a leash tends to bring out some aggression in a dog who's already uncomfortable with the new one.

Answer 4

I think either way would work. When we brought our newest pup home, we put her in the bathroom with the door shut, and let our resident dog sniff and listen and "talk to" the puppy. Finally we let the puppy out and let both dogs play together for a bit before seperating them for the night. Now they play all the time and like each other :)

Another thing you could do to establish them as a pack is to take them both on a very long walk together. Walking together is a good way to show the dogs that they are part of each others family now.

Answer 5

This is true for me...All I have ever done was bring new puppy into house and rub it on all my other dogs.Starting with head of pack and descending in that order.I have had no problems.I have 4 dogs right now.3 labs and a small chawawa/rat terrier mix.All came home as pups.

Answer 6

I would use the neutral place, because the one that is already in your home, if he is dominant then he will always be...if he is friendly(like mine) the new one will be the dominant one.