Introducing a new dog to the home

[cindy456]

I realize I have a few months to think about this, but I am a little concerned on bringing in another dog to our home. I have a mini schnauzer, female, 8 yrs old. She is rather calm for her breed, likes to sleep and just hang out in the house. Even the cats will clean her face for her!! Cookie does mind well, and has not ever chewed anything and was house broken easily. She does well with visiting dogs outside and inside to a point. She doesn't think they should get close to us or to her food. She is all talk and no action, and quiets when told to stop. I just wonder where would I introduce them, inside or outside? Puppy in a crate first? Should Cookie go to the puppy or the puppy come to her? I want to do this right and I am concerned since I want them to get a long well and for Cookie not to end up being dominating.

thank you, Cindy

[tuffystar]

Hi Cindy! Welcome!

All I can say is how we introduced Tia to Buddy. We let them loos in our back yard and held our breath. Tia was nervous but as soon as Buddy introduced himself she would not leave him alone. We were lucky that Buddy is the type to play a lot and when he wants a break he tries to climb in your lap. He can out run Tia to this day so he gets her tired then gets a rest. One thing I learned with my mom's Bejon (sp?) was that my older dog knew just how to socialize Sassy! Sassy bit our dog Bridgette on the nose when they first met. The second time Bridgette pinned Sassy (never hurt her). After sounding like Sassy was going to die Bridgette let her up and that was the end of any nose nipping! I am not an expert but that is what we did and it worked for us. I think things will work out well so try not to worry too much!

[MaxandMe]

if possible you can have your schnauzer in another part of the house letting the new dog walk around thus the scent of the new dog gets in the house.

if you're able to wait a day or two before they meet that's optimal.....if not then afterwards let your schnauzer out with the new dog being oustide with someone. your schnauzer will smell the new scent. THEN have them meet OUTSIDE as it's considered neutral territory. they have to snif each other
separately thus two people are needed, one each holding the other dog on leash.

once inside give it a couple of days where they have limited time together and then crate one while with the other.

what happens is the intro doesn't shock them.......your schnauzer is slowly introduced to new dog thus curious and when sniffing the new dog
goes OH so that's who i smelled in my house hahhaaaaaaaaa and makes it a tad easier on the hellos.

they'll be more advice coming i am sure all which will be great!!

if anything......at least have them meeet outside first.

KEEP us posted

I have brought fosters in and this is what I do. I put my dogs outside in the back. I let the foster in and let them walk around the first floor. I take the foster outside in the front yard and then bring my dogs out one at a time to meet. ( I do the front yard because my dogs are never in the front yard) Then everyone goes inside. Foster goes in the crate and my dogs get to go and sniff and whatever. I then make a call on letting the foster out of the crate or not depending on how everyone is doing. Usually I just keep the foster in the crate for at least the first day. Good luck and remember (even though it is hard) that you need to do what is best for your current dog. The new dog will have to adjust to you. Make sure you give your current dog lots of love and treats and give the current dog these things first. I know it's hard because you want to love on the new one.

Also let them work out the dominance stuff themselves!

Good luck!

[blueteal]

We took Denver to the puppies house when it was time to pick up puppy.
When we got home we took both into the yard before going into the house and let them get more acquainted there and to also
show puppy that this is where to go potty...........Once in the house, puppy was introduced to crate and Denver sat beside him while he slept.......

[cindy456]

Thank you for the advice. I didn't think of having Cookie outside and the new one walk around the house and then to bring her inside. I think in the past when dogs have come to visit we have not done this from the dog's point of view but from a person's. Very different and I plan on printing the posts to review when the time comes. I have a spare bedroom and thought the new puppy's crate would be in there for a day or so just so they can be seperated and I can spend time with each one apart and let them have a little time together. Since I will be home all day when the new arrives it will be easier to help them adjust. I will have to be careful not to show the new one a ton of attention, thank you for thinking of that one! Cookie isn't allowed edible treats, she is on a very bland prescription diet due to having had pancreatitis this past summer and problems with her liver. Her rewards are attention and lots of petting. We have neighbors with dogs and she looks at them through the fences and cries as though she wants to play. Cookie has never been "mean" to another dog or person, so I hope it all works out, I just need to not be nervous or anxious or she will sense it and maybe think it has something to do with the new puppy.

Thank you all for your advice, I appreciate it. Cindy

[Jac]

If your dog has never been mean to another dog you will probably be fine.
You have been given good advice...and I would say that you can keep a close eye on them and suprevise the first meeting...it will likely be fine. We have never had a problem introducing new dogs to our pack...because the new dog has almost always been a puppy. Most adult dogs will be fine with a puppy.
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Conten ... C=0&A=2465
Contratulations on your new pup!

[annabelles mom]

I have also heard to have your current dog(s) outside or in a closed room , basement or 2nd floor then bring in new dog and let them wander all thru the first floor, sitting on sofa (if your current pets allowed), bed etc once the new doggie's scent is all thru the house, go back outside with new dog then let current ones in to get use to scent then introduce them one at a time.

Sounds like your current dog does ok with other critters so probably will be fine - good luck and can't wait to meet your new doodle when you get one !

[cindy456]

Thank you all for the great advice. I had thought I would get a puppy (and still may), it depends on what happens from another post about a dog needing a home in KS. The owner is taking a couple of days since it is hard for them, which I understand!! If it were easy for them to make a decision I would wonder "what is wrong". This may work out, so I may need advice on adults getting along, since that labradoodle is 2 years old (male). My dh thinks a puppy would be easier for Cookie to get used to, but she has met adult dogs too and does okay. She gets very excited around new dogs and people, jumps, and wants to play, poor thing needs a playmate and friend.

Cindy

[deepnite10]

Befor bringing Toby home we had my daughter bring our other 2
to dog park..

we felt it important for the 3 to get together on neutral ground
first..his 2 simblings now are very protective of our home and us..
they did their sniffing and eventually started playing..*WHEW*

then it was onto home where Toby was told where he stood in the
pecking order..

[cindy456]

Thank you for all the information. We are getting a puppy in about 5 weeks. Knowing Cookie she will adjust well to having a little puppy in the house since it will be smaller than she is (for a little while any way).

Cindy

[Maureen]

I think the IDEALs in this topic are neutral meeting, like a dog park, etc but then there is the REALITY of the various gyrations people ACTUALLY go thru in person! So, my best experience is to bring the new puppy/dog in the house while other dogs are outside, and for the puppy to be met by the older dog in YOUR arms - to show YOUR approval of him/her, or in the backyard. Those are my favorites, of the procedures we've tried.

[Jac]

Good advice, Maureen. We do the same. Whenever we have brought a new pup into our home we usually have to introduce the pup to the pack leader, then we let each dog in, one at a time, so that there is no gang sniff!
With one dog and one pup it should be very simple.
I'd keep the visits from neighbors and family down during the first few days too...let the pup adjust to the home and environment first.

[Maureen]

[quote="Jac"]
I'd keep the visits from neighbors and family down during the first few days too...let the pup adjust to the home and environment first.[/quote]

EXCELLENT ADVICE!!

[cindy456]

I didn't think of keeping the vistors down, great idea. I also didn't consider having the new one in my arms first. That may have been one reason she did so well with the grandchildren when they were babies, since we were holding them.

About 4 more weeks before the new one comes home.

Cindy