Introducing a new dog to my current dog?

[Shannon]

I have a three year old maltese/poodle mix. He's pretty little, but he thinks he's a big dog. He's not aggressive really (his bark is worse than his bite) but he doesn't take to new dogs quickly. But he can get along well with dogs when given time and when they're not aggressive.

Anyway, my mom and I (I live with her) saw this little one year old terrier mix (the pound thought she was a terrier/poodle mix) who was the sweetest thing. She's not spayed yet, so we "reserved" her and are planning on adopting her Thursday when she's spayed.

Does anyone have tips? Do you think it's a good idea?

Thanks!

 

[mjb]

It will take time for them to warm up so don't give up the dog right away if it isn't working out. It took awhile for my 7 year old English Bulldog to get acquainted to our new adopted 2 year old bully. Now they are best buds. Just give it time and see from there.

 

[karissed]

Shannon,

Great job on going to the shelter and adopting!! I would say that the first thing to do is see if the shelter will let you bring your current pet to the shelter to meet her on neutral territory (our animal shelter allows us to bring our animals and meet prospecting new family members). Bringing another dog onto your dogs territory can cause your dog to feel like he has to defend what belongs to him. When you take your dog off of his turf and return home together with the other dog, he may feel more comfortable with everyone coming together. If he sees you and your mother playing with this new girl and accepting her, he is more liable to accept her as well. He will not see her as a threat, but a possible member of the family.

Once at home, put her in a room so that she is not overwhelmed with learning a whole new environment-let her get used to it a little at a time, and let the dogs get used to smelling/sniffing each other under the door. Also at feeding time, let them both get used to eating from your hand, and they will learn that you control the food, so there is no need for them to fight over it. If he shows ANY agression toward her, let him know you disapprove immediately. You definitely want her to know that she is accepted in the pack, and that you are the pack leader.

I hope this helps and once again, congratulations!

 

[Keith]

Introduce the dogs to each other on neutral territory, so that neither of the dogs feels the needs to defend it's "home turf" against an "invading stranger".
Take your maltipoo with you on Thursday, and give him a nice 30-minute walk to tire him out. Then when you take the terrier out of her cage, take both dogs for a walk. Don't let them meet face-to-face at first. If you walk the maltipoo on his leash, and your mom take the terrier on her leash... walk in the same direction together - but 6ft feet apart - for 5-10 mins
Make sure the dogs don't have any behaviour problems with each other, and gradually you & your mom come closer and wak side-by-side for 5-10 minutes. Once the dogs become indifferent to each other, then let them meet and sniff each other.
When you return to the car, you sit in the back seat with the terrier. Make sure the maltipoo sees that you have allowed the terrier into the car, and then allow the maltipoo into the car.
This is the time to be aware of any initial 'aggression over territory'. Don't be tense or nervous, try to stay relaxed.
(it may be a good idea to have a travel-crate in the car, just in case you need to keep them seperate).
If the maltipoo settles in the back of the car with you & the terrier nicely, your mom can then get in the front and drive home. If there is any sign of aggression, remove both dogs from the car and repeat the walking together again for another 5 min before returning to the car again.

When you get home, repeat the exercise of walking both dogs around the block for 10 minutes together before you go into the house. Take both dogs into the house together.
Keep them both on their leashes and walk them both around the house & garden, to show the maltipoo that the new dog is to be welcomed.

Have a new dog-bed & new food bowl for the new dog, to prevent the maltipoo getting annoyed at the new dog taking HIS bed & food.

Make sure you supervise them playing with toys, to correct any fighting over toys, teach them to share the toys.
Feed the maltipoo first, so that the terrier doesn't try to steal his food.

 

[shay]

get a toy or collar that the new dog plays with or wears all the time. take it and put it in a room that your dog is in alot. let the dog in the room like normal and dont think about the toy or how she will act to it. keep doing it just bring in more things from the new dog and let your dog get use to her sent (you should be doing this with the other dog too)

once the are use to the sent and you can bring in teh toys/collars and put it in your dogs sleep places without them freaking out them introduce the dogs (ON LEASHES!) and stay calm about it and they should do fine

 

[GunieaPigs4LYF]

just do it slowly and they should get used to each other and become friends

 

[Love A Whippet]

I would take you're little dog with you when you pick her up.
Better to introduce them on neutral ground,instead of bringing the new one straight in on you're little dog's territory.
Take them for a little walk together when you pick her up,maybe around the block whatever.
Maybe give them both a treat each if all is going well,that way they see being together means good things treats ect.
It work's wonders,a lot of people make the mistake of bringing a new addition straight into there other dogs territory,thats when the dog becomes defensive against the other dog.
Hope this will help a little and good luck with the new addition.