How to introduce a new pup to our home and existing dog?

[Dos Doodles--Sam & Luke]

Hi Everyone!

 

I have a great dog, Sam.  He's the light of my life,a great companion and work partner.  He goes with me to the office everyday as a brilliant and well-loved therapy dog.

 

We got him from a breeder near our home and because we love him so much, we decided we really need just one more pup.  I mean, Sam is a fabulous dog.  It's hard not to get greedy and go back to the well just one more time!

 

Here's the question.  Sam's 14 months old and we are getting a 9 week old pup a week from this Saturday (so 10 days from now).  What's the right way to introduce the pup to the house?  Do we take Sam with us when we pick up the pup?  Do we wait until we are home and bring the pup then?  

 

Sam has been down to the the breeder's place several times (he doesn't seem to really dig all the activity) and he was not interested in making friends with any of the 9 pups he had to choose from.  So it's not like he's really jazzed about this.  I think he'll adjust, but I don't want to make any stupid mistakes right out of the gate.

 

Any advice you have would be great.  Oh, and I've got pictures of said fabulous dog as well as pics of his soon-to-arrive brother:  twodoodles.blogspot.com  :-)

[Jeanne, Tura and Dolly]

There are lots of discussions of meeting and introducing and adjusting on the site and probably in this group so I would poke around for them.  This is what we did.  We went alone to pick up pup.  When we got home we walked the puppy around the outside of the house and then out to the yard to show her where to "go".  We then brought out bigger dog on leash so they could smell each other, etc.  At some point we let dogs off leash.  It did not go great, the new pup hiding under my chair while the older dog nipped at her to come out to play.   Eventually, she came out but we monitored the whole thing.  At some point, the new pup got assertive and became dominant (alpha), which you have no control over btw.  They play well now but it took time.  My older pup started peeing in the house which was a drag.  That lasted a few months.Your older pup will teach the new guy (who is adorable I have to say.....those feet!) They will be buddies but it can take time so be patient.  Have fun!

[Amy Murphy]

I'm a breeder and we've had these issues at our home and the homes of new families. It certainly will take time, we've had the same problem with peeing from an already housetrained dog that's being 'invaded' by a pup. And they do work things out but constant supervision would be #1. I would say have them meet through a fence first, and outdoors when they come to a direct meeting. Neither should be on a leash or restrained as that will heighten anxiety. And try to keep toys/treats/food out of the picture at first because they will trigger arguments. Sounds like Sam wasn't into the pups but if he was already put off by the activity, that's not surprising so don't let that be too discouraging. An older dog will usually be fairly cautious with a puppy until around 14-16 weeks, then pup is old enough to be corrected. You'll probably hear a single, sharp bark directed at puppy. They do have ways of working things out, be patient and don't get discouraged early on.

[Nicole]

We just introduced our almost 1-year-old dog to her new baby brother who was 6 weeks old. We did it outside in the front lawn (Coco the older one usually goes out back to the fenced in area)...she seemed confused by how little he was. When we took him inside we made sure to pay PLENTY of attention to Coco, only occasionally petting or acknowledging puppy. She immediately took him under her "wing"...followed him everywhere to see what he was doing (still does)...the only thing we noticed was that she didn't eat very well for a few days...then her appetite kicked back in and they are best buds. She is very gentle with him most of the time, but when he gets "unruly" to an unacceptable degree she just plops down and lays on him...it is so funny! It went very well for us...hope it goes smoothly for you too! One of the members gave me this advice: first pet, first treat, first out the door, etc. should be the older dog...we have followed that strictly. Congratulations and good luck! :D

[Lauren, Scooby and Bella]

My experience has always been to introduce two dogs on "neutral" territory.  We took our older doodle, Champ, with us when we decided to get another dog.  We looked at more than one and there were a couple that Champ just did not like.  We found Scooby on line at a Shelter about 30 miles from our home.  When we introduced the two boys to each other they were not overly friendly but not confrontational.  That was a good sign to us.  At least Champ was okay with Scooby.  We adopted Scooby and took him home that day.  Scooby and Champ together in the back of our Durango for a 30 mile drive back.  They were friends by the time we arrived home. 

 

I had a previous experience when I brought a dog home for a "cage break" for a weekend when I was a volunteer at an animal shelter.  I didn't introduce them on neutral territory because it was winter and the weather wasn't great (my mistake).  Both of my dogs hated her on site.  She was invading their territory.  What could have been a nice weekend visit turned into a night of switching rooms to keep my two dogs away from the shelter dog as they did not want anything to do with her.  I am convinced that had I brought them to meet her away from the home, the whole scenerio would have been different and could have resulted in an enjoyable weekend where they all ended up "friends".  That was not the case.  I ended up taking her back to the shelter the next morning.  I certainly never intended to upset my dogs or the visiting dog, but that is just what happened. 

 

I recommend neutral territory for the best end result.  Good luck!