How to introduce a puppy to a resident ‘alpha’ dog

[Diane Margetts]

My friend has a dog that Dakota would spend time with daily. If I went somewhere, I would take Dakota across the street to be with Lexi so he wouldn’t be alone and likewise for Lexi if her ‘Mom’ went somewhere. They would go on daily walks together and in general, spend enough time together that the dogs considered us all (including my friend’s two cats) to be part of the same pack. 

Lexi was always fine with Dakota—she was 4 months old when she was introduced to him. But when Lexi encounters other dogs on walks, it’s always a coin toss as to whether or not she is going to be aggressive. She’s a very mellow girl otherwise but I have frequently seen her initiate a fight. Her ‘Mom’ has a centrinella training collar and she does correct Lexi’s behavior but it only changes Lexi’s immediate behavior.

We’re both concerned about how to introduce puppy. We have 7 weeks to figure it out. As soon as I know which puppy I am getting, I will have his breeder rub his scent on a snuggle puppy toy and give it to Lexi in advance so Lexi associates a happy experience with puppy’s scent. I also plan to have puppy in his playpen and let Lexi meet him that way for the first few meetings. After that, I’m out of ideas. I can’t have them meet on neutral ground because until puppy is four months old with all his puppy shots, he can’t go anywhere.

Does anyone have suggestions? Open to all ideas! 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

It sounds like you’ve well thought this out so far. Is Lexi’s reactivity only when she’s on-leash? Does your friend normally bring her to your house when she visits? My added suggestions might be to set up your new pup’s area now so Lexi gets used to it. I’d ask the breeder for a cloth big enough to cut in half- - half to stay in the new puppy ‘s space in your house and half to be given to Lexi. If Lexi’s reactivity is mostly on leash, I wouldn’t have her on leash for the intro, but have the puppy safely in its crate. And I’d keep it that way for a while. 

[Diane Margetts]

Thank you—exactly what I was thinking! I found a really good article with a multi-day plan for a successful a introduction based on scent. As soon as I know which puppy I’m getting I can start introducing his scent to Lexi until it becomes a familiar and pleasant scent to her. This will begin weeks before she actually meets puppy (he will be in his crate).

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Sounds perfect. I’d love to read that article. Can you post the link? Keep us posted!

[Diane Margetts]

Here ya go!

https://www.petmd.com/dog/training/evr_introducing_a_new_dog_to_a_r...

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Thanks!