Advice needed: introducing new pup to current dog
 

I am possibly bringing home a shih tzu puppy today to be a little brother to my morkie, Kimchee. Any advice on how to make this introduction go smoothly?

I am a little worried because Kimchee is very territorial and also possessive of my wife. Of course, she is used to being the center of attention because she's an only child. Also, she doesn't get along with other dogs very well. She enjoys the company of humans more. We only know 2 dogs that she likes in our neighborhood. Both are boys. One is a yorkie and the other is a shih tzu. She really doesn't like other girls.

We know this will be a challenge. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Well, you are kind of taking a risk if you already know Kimchee doesn't get along with most other dogs. Hopefully, since this puppy is a male, she will come to accept him.

My tips:
1. Come into the house without the puppy and let Kimchee smell you and the puppy's scent on you for a minute or two.
2. Go get the puppy and bring it in - butt first. And, let Kimchee sniff it out.
3. Go into a neutral room if you have one (like one where the animals usually aren't allowed or that Kimchee doesn't go in very often).
4. All of you sit on the floor and let the two wander around and check each other out
5. If they appear to get along just fine, just let them be. BUT if there seems to be any angst with Kimche (where you feel the puppy is at risk), keep them separated when you aren't around. Gradually let them spend more and more time together (again - only if you feel harm is at hand)
6. IMPORTANT - Have a place where Kimchee can go/escape to get away from the puppy when she wants too.
7. MOST IMPORTANT - Always give things to Kimchee first from here on out. That means, Hellos, kisses, lovin, food, treats, out the door first, praise, etc.

Wishing you luck! :)

If you can, introduce them on neutral territory (outside your home). Let them meet on the ground, not holding them. Don't interfere unless you see something dangerous. Let them get to know each other while you stand back and watch quietly.

Do everything for Kimchee first: greet her first, put her food down first, and so on.

Congratulations on your new addition and best wishes.

I've always heard that you should introduce them on neutral territory. Is there a local park you could introduce them? Let them get acquainted before you bring them home and allow Kimchee to be the alpha, which would mean feeding her first and other things. I think a huge mistake most pet owners make is disciplining the older dog for barking at the puppy. The older dog should be allowed to be the boss. Of course, if it really is a full fledge fight, you should separate them, but most of the time it's just a lot of noise and drama. They will get along better if you allow Kimchee to teach the puppy her rules. Also, he'll probably be trying to hump her all the time and she's not going to like that, so she'll have to tell him "no".

Yes, if you have the option of an OUTSIDE neutral territory, that would for sure be best. I didn't here, so I just went to a neutral room. (I suppose most people don't an unused room like I do lol..I forget that)

Joey still thinks the whole house is his! It's not mandatory, and probably doesn't matter as much since one's a puppy, but I would try to find a place outside to introduce them. It need not be far from the house.

Thanks for the replies! We ended up bringing the shih tzu home. We named him Arthur. We had them meet at a park outside my parent's house. I know Kimchee hasn't pee'd over there. So far so good! There is some rough housing but nothing harmful. Now I guess I have to just worry about potty training again :(

congrats on your new baby..
i love the name arthur..

Happy to hear it is going well so far! Yay! What a sweet name. Please post some pics of Arthur and of him with Kimchee when you can. Would love to see them :)

Congratulations! I love the name Arthur. :) Happy to hear things are going very well between the two.

MandiesMom brought up a great point in her first post about making sure Kimchee has a place to escape/take a break from her new brother, if she wants. My Max would go to the couch because Teddy couldn't jump up that high until he was older.

Yes, we did follow that advice as well. Kimchee is able to get away onto our bed because Arthur can't climb the stairs yet. I can tell she appreciates the break! :)

Here's some pics of Kimchee and Arthur.

Both of these babies are adorable! :) We have had our Yorkie, Jasper, for 9 days now. He had 2 older sisters to meet. Our 11 year old Shepherd named Julia and our 6 year old Rat Terrier named Bella. Julia verbally told him the rules right off and laid down. Haha Bella almost acts scared of him. She runs and gets on something high and observes him. I am hoping she will get past her shyness with him over time.

CONGRATS on your new family member and I, too, love the name Arthur. :)

Steph & Jasper :animal-pa

Thanks! We were just spitballing ideas on the way home and that one stuck! Kimchee is trying to show Arthur who's boss but Arthur doesn't back down easily. It's been interesting to say the least!

Give them some time to settle who is going to have the canine-accepted role of packleader, since dogs are well accustomed to hierarchy in their society. If one is a natural leader, usually the stronger-willed and wisest of the two, that dog will eventually step into the natural leader roll. That one will expect the other dog to submit his leadership and way of interacting and even at times, to allow him first dibs on things. Strong owners with obedient dogs don't see a lot of this as the dogs are usually fairly totally submitted to the way the person wants things to go and rarely question or breach this authority. In homes where the owner is a little less lacking in certain strengths or in homes of strong leaders who don't mind this going on, dogs will settle between themselves how they will interact with one another in the home. With two dogs of the same gender, it is good that both are neutered and testosterone at a minimum if you are going to leave it up to the dogs how they will interact, stepping in only if one gets vicious with the other dog. Never allow viciousness or injury - step in and stop that immediately. But a nip or discipline - some will allow skirmishes like that if they are going
to leave leadership up to the dogs. I personally tend to be one that lets dogs be dogs and decide how they will interact - who goes first and has first dibs and I like to honor that and I only step in if it gets rough. And it can get rough with two terriers or two strong alpha-types of the same sex in the same household. With neither of your dogs being a terrier, it can be a bit easier to deal with two males, less so if both are of the alpha personality. Just be sure both are neutered and step in if one is roughing the other one up. Never allow that. If you do allow aggression to continue, when the dogs are home alone or you leave the room, the strongest dog can really hurt the other dog and you can return to a bloody mess.