When Introducing A New Dog?

[Wxm 1,638]

just out of interest what's everyone's methods when introducing a new dog?

 

do you quarantine them for any period of time?

 

do you keep your other dogs penned up and let the other dog run around so it can freely go up to the pen?

 

do you just let them all have the run of the garden and keep an eye on them?

 

pen them separate for a few days / weeks ect?

 

or do you put them straight in the pen and let them devise their own pecking order?

 

 

 

wxm

[kruby01 114]

when i brought my pup home i just brought the others into the living room one by one to sniff each other and then left them to it as they seemed to get on but i split them up for a few weeks when they couldnt be supervised

[dymented 2,220]

dogs are territorial better off if its not a 9 week old pup to take the old dog on a walk to meet the new one once they know its not a threat its easier to let them meet in the yard just need to keep your eye on them

[LaraCroft 863]

I let them meet out walking first - on lead to start, then off lead to have a run and a play, with plenty of space for them to get used to each other. Then back home as one group. I don't leave a newbie alone with the others for the first few weeks, they can be separated into different rooms, or into crates. I am careful with flashpoints like feeding, getting ready to go walking etc - so they don't get over excited and end up having a go at each other.

[skycat 6,174]

There are no quick answers to any of your questions as everything depends on the dog, the age, type, temperament, sex etc of all the dogs, both your existing dogs and the new one. Also whether or not the new one is a pup or an adult or a sub-adult.

 

Little pups: not to be left alone for even a second with adult dogs until pup is successfully integrated into existing pack. Crate or kennel within short distance of other dogs, interaction under supervision at all times.

 

Sub-adult (bigger pup though not a mature adult: from between 5 -10 months of age generally speaking) First get pup into yard, garden or whatever, then introduce each existing adult in order of seniority, starting with the highest status first. Keep pup on lead or hold until all introductions have happened. This should only be done if existing dogs are well socialised and sensible with strange dogs. If existing dogs are stroppy, aggressive or likely to damage new dog, then rethink your whole training and set up; your dogs should defer to YOU, and what YOU say goes.

 

Note: generally speaking, with male dogs containing terrier or herding dog blood in them, it is unwise to introduce another younger male of similar type and expect peace and harmony. The existing male dog will resent a newbie coming on to his territory, especially if you have bitches as well which the existing male dog will see as 'his' regardless of whether or not he is used at stud. If the youngster coming into the pack is full of rising hormones, and is acting like a 'dick on legs' which is common in many sub-adult males, he will really irritate the existing adult male dog (s) and things could get nasty quickly.

 

This is even worse if there is a bitch in season in your household or yard, regardless of whether your existing male dog (s) are likely to or have mated her.

 

Adult dogs: always introduce away from home, out on a walk, under strict supervision. Keep new dog on lead at all times (well, you wouldn't be letting it off the lead anyway would you as you don't know if it will come back to you: strange dog, strange place etc etc). Generally speaking if a dog can get to know another dog away from its territory, things go smoothly providing none of the dogs have 'issues' in any way. If your existing dogs have issues, the that is your fault, again, generally speaking.

 

Lastly, generally speaking, and I have to keep saying this as there are always exceptions to anything, make sure to feed existing dogs first, newbie last. Don't spend too much time fussing the newbie. Let it settle in quietly, keep the other dogs calm. Don't make a big fuss of any of the dogs. Act calm and detached but keep your wits about you, watch the dogs like a hawk when they are together.

 

Well socialised dogs which know how to behave around other dogs won't generally (there's that word again!) try and kill another dog unless that dog provokes them in a very serious way. Consider temperament and type when putting different dogs into a pack. Terriers aren't generally so accepting of other adult terriers as well as lurchers accept lurchers. If your existing dogs have been brought up to accept your word as law, and are used to meeting strange dogs, then life is a lot easier, but I'd never expect strange terriers to get on with each other safely. They may be used to working with other peoples' terriers, but sharing a kennel is a whole different ball game.

[oldred58 340]

All depends on the temprament on your dogs, if they have no problems working with dogs, other than your own in the fiields then you are half way there, take them for a walk in on some land you hunt let them run loose your dogs will be to buzy hunting to take notice, walk them back home together,common sense from there, Nobody with any sense would take a dog home without proof that they are up to date with there jabs, or take a pup out before theyve had there jabs

[Carraghs Gem 1,699]

Doesnt matter how i introduce them my collie, she hates new dogs with a passion and only tolerates pups after a few weeks of torturing them at any opportunity, pups are protected until she accepts them and they are hardy enough to spend more time outside

[iworkwhippets 13,233]

Introduce the dogs on neutral ground, so as your existing dog dunna get possesive of its territory, this is what, i do, and will do when i get my next pup

[Attack Fell Terrier 864]

I let them meet each other in the garden, I'll always be there incase mayhem ensues but will stand back and allow them to get to know each other.

 

Trying to kennel two strangers up together is just asking for trouble IMO.