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Originally Posted by canana  Just to add to the above suggestions...
I'd also make sure you introduce them to each other outside of your home, on some neutral grounds, like a park or something. And make sure both are leashed and both on the ground (i.e. don't introduce the puppy while you're holding him). If they're okay, take them for a walk. Maybe have two humans, each with one dog.
Once you're home, all the humans walk into the home first and let the two dogs walk in after you.
I think your idea of giving them a slow transition to each other is great. I also kept them separated when I brought home baby Casie.
It's very likely that the first dog will not be happy with the new puppy. There may be some initial jealousy issues, but that will eventually subside, as long as you treat your first dog the same way and always give him more attention.
Then, eventually take them for daily walks together. Train them together. And then separate them when you're away from home.
From my own experience, Scottie took weeks before he was comfortable with Casie being around. He was pretty jealous the first day and refused to even let me touch him! I went through thoughts about whether it was a bad idea to get a second dog, but eventually with consistent training and walks together, they started bonding, and now, they have a routine playtime every night before going to bed. |
To be honest, I wanted a new addition not just to give the first dog company but also to train it to be my personal "emotional support".. mainly because there are times I have anxiety and I feel it would help a lot.
I would do that with the first dog, but she's super attached to my mother. Yeah she's loyal, but she's kind of like a cat just friendlier than a cat. She comes and goes and sometimes doesn't like to be held.
I thought I could start with my own, while still giving attention to the other one. Because I could personally train it to be more tolerant than the first dog, less yappy, etc.
The dog we have is quite tolerant for a dog, but not enough to be a support dog. She's calm, friendly and submissive- she's never bitten anyone. But she herself has issues I've been trying to work through. She doesn't like being in cars that much. Gets really anxious. She has separation anxiety -- but it's strictly with my mother. If my mother goes out to do errands she always waits by the front door and refuses to do anything else. We have been working on that and made some headway, but we sort of dont push too much on it because she's home 90% of the time.
She's been to several areas and she's never aggressive or anything. She just likes to alert her people whenever someone or something comes by us.
We had originally socialized her as well, but because when we take her out there's almost never anyone else or anyone with a dog she probably hasn't gotten much socializing in recent years.
Where we live it's a ghost town during week days work hours.
Weekends there's tons of little kids which I try to avoid because our little cousin likes to torment her so I figured other kids his age might be like that...
By torment I mean, he stomps on the ground near her to spook her, he chases her, he tugs on her tail. She never bites him but she's clearly stressed when he does so for her sake we never let them meet, and my issue is if we take her out when other children are active they maybe too rough on her.
I was hoping I could make a big change in her life by re-socializing her but finding a way to deter anyone from bothering her like that. He's a lot older now but, he still hasn't changed much since he's still a kid.
As for introducing them in a neutral area. Do you mean when I first bring her home or what?