What is the correct way to properly introduce a new puppy to an older dog?

[Miss Zoey]

My dog is nervous of other dogs and used to be aggressive when she felt threatened (when she was younger) with other dogs. We've recently been told that a new dog would be a good thing for her as she gets lonely & this should hopefully cure her of her anxiety with other dogs. She seems fine with the new puppy, just a little nervous and jumpy, she goes through stages of being really interested and excited about it - to wanting nothing to do with it! Due to her background, I don't want to force them upon each other, incase she suddenly turns on him, however to be honest Its been a week and I've seen no signs of aggression from her. So my question is, what is the safest, most effective and non stressful way to socialise the two dogs properly?

 

[jtexas]

In my experience, every time, the adult dog accepted the puppy without complaint, and they've become great pals without any intervention on my part at all.

But, a dog with a tendency toward aggression bears watching. The puppy will sooner or later start putting on a dominance display, trying to find his place in the family. How your adult dog will deal with that, is the question.

 

[Ray Scar]

Remove the older dog from the house. Bring the new dog into the house. Let older dog back into the house. Keep an eye on the older dog and be ready to tell it off the second You sense anything wrong. I did this with My dogs, worked a treat. I had the new dog (8 week old puggalier) in a cardboard box and let the old dog in through the back door, when they clapped eyes on eachother, the new puppy came to life in a way I'd not yet seen, and they played like old friends for about half an hour non-stop, until the puppy tired out the older dog.

 

[dorothy s]

HOW TO HELP YOUR DOGS TO COPE WITH A NEW PUPPY.

Puppies are excitable, lovable hooligans. They have bursts of unbelievable energy, however in order to grow they need lots of sleep. New puppies need a room where they can rest and sleep and the other dogs in the house need respite. Older dogs don’t want puppies biting their ears and chewing their necks, if a puppy does this, the older dogs should be allowed to chastise the puppy. How would you cope with an unruly toddler twenty four hours a day? Would you be annoyed, if you had a toddler thrust upon you who pulled your hair and poked your eyes? I am sure that you would grumble.

Please don’t expect your dog to cope with an unruly puppy and to baby-sit twenty four hours a day. Supervise them for SHORT play sessions, then put your puppy in a quiet place to rest. I am not a big fan of crates, however if you do not have a utility room or a separate place where you can leave the puppy, a crate might be an alternative. Don’t expect your older dog to want to sleep with your puppy or to play with it constantly.

Your puppy will possibly need about four meals a day. Divide your other dog’s rations into four and feed it (or them) at the same time. At the outset you must ensure that your puppy cannot steal the food from your other dogs. Perhaps you can put the puppy on a lead, or create enough space to ensure that the puppy does not steal. However it is important that your other dog, or dogs knows that the puppy is not getting preferential treatment and that they are all being fed when the puppy is fed.

Give your existing dog or dogs extra attention when the puppy is resting and make them feel special.

There will be visitors, who want to see your puppy. If the doorbells rings when your puppy is with your other dogs, put your puppy into another room and tell your visitors to fuss your adult dog or dogs and provide treats for your visitors to give them, BEFORE the puppy is allowed out to greet your visitors.

Older dogs love puppies, with the proviso that YOU stop the puppy from being a pain in the bum. They don’t want a puppy being thrust upon them all of the time. If you do this any dog will object and be confused.

There are people on this site who will tell you to let them sort themselves out. If you leave them to do this, they will probably have fights when the puppy matures.