Suggestions needed for introducing Lucy to a new puppy ............

[Karen & Lucy]

Meet Max......... My grandaughter lives right beside me and is getting a Chihuahua puppy, Max. She will be bringing him home on the 23rd. As you can see he is VERY small. 70# vs 1# -------- YIKES
What is the best way to introduce them, I know SLOWLY !!!!! Remember the bunny incident, I don't want Lucy to think he is a bunny !!!

[Karen & Lucy]

Thanks everyone for your input. Danielle, my grandaughter, has been out to see Max 2 x's now and he is doing very well will kids as the breeder has many. I have told her about socialization so she is aware of how important that aspect is. I will keep Lucy on a leash when introducing her to him and take it very slowly. I think she will be OK. We will see. I will not let her off leash when he is around until I know she is OK with him and will not hurt him. She does play rough, as Spud knows from the romp ( throwing her butt in his face ), but I think she will realize he is just a baby.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Taquito looks just like Max...he is too cute! My biggest thing is that chihuahuas can get so weird and attached to their owner. Maybe your grandaughter can start socializing Max very early, which helps. Do not have your grandaughter hold the chihuahua while introducing....just put Max down to introduce her to Lucy (I like baby gate idea too). Lucy will probably know he is a puppy and will be careful. Chihuahuas can move fast by the way!

[Michele Barton]

I can't offer any advice on this, but just wanted to say that the puppy is adorable! You are soooo fortunate to have your granddaughter so close to you!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

We had a chihuahua puppy (not baby baby age) as a foster until we found a chihuahua home for her. This was pre-Ned but with our other two (50 - 60 pounds). Anyway our dogs were gentle with her but we were very careful. I think the baby-gate/pen idea is great. One bit of advice my DIL taught us was NOT to hold the Chihuahua in our laps all of the time when meeting the other dogs. Doing this was setting up possessiveness and that dominance problem chihuahuas often develop. We did put the puppy on the ground on her back to let the other dogs sniff at her. However our guys were gentle and we had no concerns that they might think she was a bunny. One of our dogs has brought us a kitten he caught - not good, but a different and outdoor situation.

[Karen & Lucy]

I did know about the soft spot, but really didn't think about that, thanks. Lucy like to put her BIG paw right down on a smaller dogs back. I am going to have to watch her very closely.

[F, Calla & Luca]

As with porcupines, gingerly.