Tips on introducing a new dog

[sassafrass]

It looks like there's a good chance that we're going to get the rescue puppy that we applied for (5lb yorkie/chihuaua mix). I spoke to the foster mom last night and the next step is the home visit with a local dog (since the rescue is about 4 hours away).

I currently have an almost 4 1/2 year old, 10lb Yorkie (Mabel) who was also a rescue. She's had a rough life. I say that she has separation anxiety but I don't know if that's actually her problem or if it is just that she doesn't like to be left alone. She's not destructive when we're gone or anything like that, she just shakes and pants when she sees us getting ready to leave and that doesn't happen everytime.

She was attacked by another dog (80lbs) when she was 10 months old and really hasn't been around other dogs much.

We want to make sure that when/if the new rescue comes home, both are safe and happy.

Do you have any tips on what to do or what not to do?
Any help would be appreciated!

[sassafrass]

Anyone...?

[darkling_glory]

When you first get your new pup, leash both dogs up and take them for a walk outside your house in neutral territory. Make the walk as long as it can be 20 minutes or so, so that they get used to one another. But they don't necessarily need to greet each other if they don't seem into it.

Keep the dogs separated for a couple weeks (2 weeks seems to be the magic number for me). Baby gate off a room for the new dog to stay in for a while.

I like to put a blanket over the baby gate so they can hear/smell each other but not see each other. I do this for the first few days. Then I take the blanket off.

They can have supervised play time (both leashed so you can control if there is a problem). But it should be short. No toys or treats that they could fight over in this time. If they fight over your attention (guarding behavior) separate them immediately!

Lots of walks during this time so they get used to one another... while gradually increasing the amount of time of the supervised play time.

I hope this helps!

[sassafrass]

May 31, 2012 7:37:45 GMT -5 darkling_glory said:

When you first get your new pup, leash both dogs up and take them for a walk outside your house in neutral territory. Make the walk as long as it can be 20 minutes or so, so that they get used to one another. But they don't necessarily need to greet each other if they don't seem into it.

Keep the dogs separated for a couple weeks (2 weeks seems to be the magic number for me). Baby gate off a room for the new dog to stay in for a while.

I like to put a blanket over the baby gate so they can hear/smell each other but not see each other. I do this for the first few days. Then I take the blanket off.

They can have supervised play time (both leashed so you can control if there is a problem). But it should be short. No toys or treats that they could fight over in this time. If they fight over your attention (guarding behavior) separate them immediately!

Lots of walks during this time so they get used to one another... while gradually increasing the amount of time of the supervised play time.

I hope this helps!

Thank you! this is really helpful. I appreciate it.

[darkling_glory]

You're welcome!

Oh, and this should go without saying, but absolutely feed them in different rooms! I usually don't allow and food/treats around the dogs until I am 100% positive that there won't be a fight.

[sassafrass]

Thanks again. I love your sig too. I love Buffy!