How to introduce my dog and a new puppy?

[Kali]

I currently have a 10 year old terrier, and we're adding a new miniature australian shepherd puppy to the family. I've read and heard that you're supposed to introduce the dogs outside of the house for the first time. How would I do this? And for how long am I supposed to wait before taking them both in our house?

 

[Debbie]

Whatever you do, do NOT seperate them, even if they are bad. Say "NO!" if they are. Let them get to know each other, let them sniff and play. Don't leave them alone at first, stay with each other. Be sure to be affectionate to both the old and younger dog. You don't have to introduce them outside if you don't want to. If you do, introduce them at an empty dog park or a backyard, somewhere where they can play. Let them stay outside until they've gotten used to each others company. Then they'll end up being good friends.

 

[Butterfly]

Put your older dog on a leash and you hold the puppy...see how they react! inside the house ..mayeb put the older dog in a cage for a little while the puppy explores.

 

[wishnuwelltoo]

I take them out to potty so that if any one pees they do it outside. I am not sure how long we take them outside for, maybe 20 or 30 minutes. I guess it depends on them. I use Charlee Bears for potty training. So when the puppy goes potty, she gets a treat, and so does the older dog. The puppy learns to share treats, and that she is not more important than the other dogs. Everything is done as a group, training, leashes, walks, play time, combing hair. While I expect them to work some things out on their own, I step in if one does a behavior I don't allow. You have to be fair, if it is the older dog, correct that, the puppy, correct that. I don't allow biting, or growling or anything mean. I use the command "shame". They are each others pack now. The older dogs don't usually warm up to the puppy until the baby teeth are gone, 4 to 6-months-old and the puppy just gets a little bigger. They are not going to be best friends over night. So let them work out some things, but step in for wrong behaviors, and show them they are each others pack now.