I agree with the above posters - EVERYTHING first for your older dog. This will help to prevent any huge jealousy issues.
I have a dominant male Westie that does not get along with other males; but does fine with other (small) females. Hence, we were able to bring in little Miss Lucy. But it still took a lot of work, training, and supervision before things calmed down. Another male would definitely not have worked in our household.
Give your older dog a space where he can get away from the puppy. It's good that the puppy probably can't climb up onto the furniture yet. High places are reserved for the alpha dog (right now, your oldest). Also, it gives him a chance to get away from the puppy. Your older dog is not in non-stop play mode like most pups.
I will echo everyone else's walk together; treat together; separate using baby gates or some such when things are not going so well.
Be patient; they may not bond overnight. Hopefully, they will bond or at least not fight until someone gets hurt.
__________________ Mommy to Lucy, Ringo, and Matthew |