Cayla! Help with intergrating a new pack member please!

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Ranyhyn

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And indeed anyone else!!

Ok so the chances are Vinny (or Vincenzo as I am affectionately calling him) will be home in the next week.

He is a 3YO, entire GSD. (Soon to be separated from his pals down below :p) he has been very well socialised by his current owner and doesn't bat an eyelid at other dogs. However he is currently an only dog.

I will take Roly and Lil (JRTs) with me to meet him, before bringing him home I will make myself as sure as I can be, that they will get on.

I am thinking, take a few days off work to be at home with them all. PLENTY of walks to tire them out! I was going to get a jumbo crate for him and put them separately at night (when I'm not there to supervise) but close to each other.

What are the warning signs to watch out for? Is there anything else I can do to help ease the situation? And lastly, should I get him done straight away or let him settle first?

Half of me thinks while he's "down" after the op, is a good time to let my two convince themselves he isnt going to kill them! (My bitch is fine and never scared but the dog is quite timid after being bitten and he will take a while to settle with him)

Thoughts..!!!?

Kitty xox
 
I foster and we always take ours for a big long walk gradually getting closer so that they can bond with no territory issues. This is before introducing them to the house.

Your other plans sound ideal :) Just be aware though that if you take time off to help with the settle it may lead to SA problems - though a few days is unlikely to be an issue. I spend the settling days working on leaving them for periods too so it's not a huge shock when work beckons me back ;)
 
The day B came I took him to Tesco, then home and straight out for a beach walk with N, then once they were knackered, introduced them at home. They were in together from day one.
She took to him very well, in a resigned kinda way.
I think I would have nads off ASAP, while he is convalescing he will be slightly less hyper :p

Things to watch out for - just watch body language, and be prepared to step in if you need to be. JRTs can be very 'Come on then!' and the dog can react passively, playfully, or 'right, you're on, let's have it' so it is a matter of judging which way he is going to react. Which, by the sounds of him, is playful :)
Just be careful of rough and tumble times, even playfully, GSDs can thwack a little dog down by accident (sorry, Tikka :o)
 
As CC suggests, I always advise the opposite to what I do....lol
Enlist a friend, u walks your and they walk him or vice versa, this way they can catch each others scent without having to be confrontational about it, then home and let them have a wonder in and out of the garden, maybe have someone there with you, worst case scenario, a fight may break out (terriers are quick of the mark):D then atleast u are not using both legs and an arm to deal with it:D
as suggested get ready to step in with any over selous behaviour and use your firm voice, and attempt to hump from anyone then a quick firm dig and 2NO! like you mean it, if you are a little worried you could long line the shep be relaxed and let the line hang, but ravel alot up first and hold loosely near the middle to end, obs the terriers advances will be fly bites:rolleyes: but the sheps will be a descent choke hold (lol, messing, but obs I would worry a little more about a retaliation from him as he could potentially cause more damage to the little uns, if he does, try not to scoop them up and hold them high in your arms this could make his advance stronger, jsut try and lead them out into another safe room, then attempt walk again and re-introduce, and maybe try introducing one first then the other.
 
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Yeah, you see when you are pint sized, it can be hard to really GET a big dog, so she likes to use sofas, tables etc to launch from in order to mantain optimum efficiency :D

I will of course tell her off for her rape attempts. IF she tries them with Vincenzo. Roly on the other hand is a simpering vat of cheese, and just waddles round on his belly screaming until the big dog thinks "well, this one isn't anything to worry about" and then Roly usually follows looking adoringly at the giant dog who has spared his life so graciously.

My main concern really, is (as you have all mentioned) the fact that the one snap from Vinny could be quite serious for the tiny mafia, so I will be eagle eyed for the first few weeks.
 
Kitsune said:
Roly on the other hand is a simpering vat of cheese, and just waddles round on his belly screaming until the big dog thinks "well, this one isn't anything to worry about" and then Roly usually follows looking adoringly at the giant dog who has spared his life so graciously.
Click to expand...

PMSL at Roly :D

Nothing to add to above but best of luck with your new boy and hope they all settle well. Waiting for pics too obviously! :)
 
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