Introducing a new dog - tips!

[Lots of Gift Bags]

A few weeks ago I was going to re-home an 11 month old collie but his owners changed their mind at the last minute. I can blame them, they love the dog and wanted to try again with him. However he's fairly high energy and they don't have the will to spend the time training him, plus they don't have recall so don't let him off lead (so you can imagine what a handful he can be).

Then a couple of nights ago, I had a message from then saying they couldn't cope any longer and wanted me to have him. Due to the new restrictions coming into place as of tonight, I've had to arrange a pet transport company who happened to be doing a similar job tomorrow so fitted him in on that one! That means tomorrow evening he arrives with us having spent all day travelling. So much for us getting another Westie, but I've always said our dogs find us and a Westie may still turn up.

Juno is not particularly bothered about other dogs although she does occasionally play with ones she meets when she's out, and she does resource guard over food, toys and me, so I have a few concerns about introducing them but we will try to manage it as best we can.

I'm thinking when he arrives, we should take him for a walk up the road, round the block, and bring Juno out to walk together with him, then they will have been introduced outside and he can come in with us when we get back home. It will almost certainly be dark when he arrives so we won't be able to go too far.

We will definitely be feeding them separately and toys won't be allowed out until they're settled and we're sure there won't be fisticuffs.

Do people think this is a good place? Any ideas and tips welcome. Not sure if I'm more excited or nervous!

 

[splashgirl45]

sounds like the best plan given the circumstances amd i would also walk into the garden first with the 2 of them before the house , if that is possible. good luck

 

[Annette4]

We did have the chance to introduce Ginny before bringing her home but still took them for a walk together as soon as we got home so they walked into the house together and we took toys etc up until we were sure they would all be OK.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I would introduce 2 adult dogs away from anywhere that Juno considers 'hers' and walk them across your garden to the house together, then insist that Juno stands back and lets the collie enter first. As you say feed separately for now, although I would allow them both to know that the other is being fed at the same time and no toys around to potentially cause problems.

Good luck!

 

[AmyMay]

Yep, sounds sensible.

Make sure you have a VERY good fitting lead on the collie tomorrow.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Yep, sounds sensible.

Make sure you have a VERY good fitting lead on the collie tomorrow.

In fact, unless it will cause more problems, I would have the collie on 2 leads.

 

[Mynstrel]

If you can, separate them using a play pen or baby gate between rooms so they can interact without you having to be too hands on and they can't annoy each other. That's assuming the collie isn't a jumper though...

 

[Errin Paddywack]

I would use a well fitting harness for the collie and a double ended lead to harness and collar or two leads.

 

[Lots of Gift Bags]

Thank you all.
PACS good tip about letting the new collie enter the house first, can I ask the reason behind this please? Always wanting to learn about dog behaviour.
Also the 2 leads/collar lead and harness, I wouldn't have thought of that.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Because you are establishing the principle that *you* decide who goes where. If you were to leave them too it, Juno would probably expect to bustle in first and tell collie where to go and what to do. Collie may well object. There is a thread somewhere on AAD from a few months ago about a similar situation to yours, where the 2 dogs were not getting on well and we we delved into it, the owner seemed to be more of a bystander than an organiser and the first dog had been taken into the house first with the new dog held back, after the initial meeting. I thought about what we do, almost instinctively, and realised that we would always take the new dog in first and keep the established dog on a lead and under complete control at pinch points until we were sure that we had established the boundaries.

I know it sounds a bit 'Cesar Milan' but dogs are pack animals and packs have leaders, unless you want the dog to be in charge, you have to be the leader.

 

[gallopingby]

When l have foster dogs to stay the dogs always meet mine outside in the garden. I do make sure l’ve spent a short time with the incoming dog first to get an idea of their likely behaviour. Def two leads with different collars / harness and only excercise on a long line / lunge rein attached to a suitable harness until you’re sure of recall. Remember some dogs can easily clear a 6 foot fence. Usually things are fine but it’s better and easier to be prepared.

 

[Lots of Gift Bags]

Because you are establishing the principle that *you* decide who goes where. If you were to leave them too it, Juno would probably expect to bustle in first and tell collie where to go and what to do. Collie may well object. There is a thread somewhere on AAD from a few months ago about a similar situation to yours, where the 2 dogs were not getting on well and we we delved into it, the owner seemed to be more of a bystander than an organiser and the first dog had been taken into the house first with the new dog held back, after the initial meeting. I thought about what we do, almost instinctively, and realised that we would always take the new dog in first and keep the established dog on a lead and under complete control at pinch points until we were sure that we had established the boundaries.

I know it sounds a bit 'Cesar Milan' but dogs are pack animals and packs have leaders, unless you want the dog to be in charge, you have to be the leader.

Fascinating, thank you for the explanation, I do tend towards being a bystander rather than an organiser so will take myself in hand a bit more, and channel my inner Pearlsacarolsinger ?
Really appreciate everyone giving me their time to help, I love this forum.

 

[Clodagh]

I’m so excited for you.
It’s all been said bar remember that if you are tense they, especially Juno, are likely to pick up on that.
TheresaW introduced a quirky male collie to her two and there were no problems really although I know he is reactive on the lead.
I’m not sure of the reasoning behind letting the dog go in first, I wouldn’t overthink that, just don’t let them squeeze through together. Would be interested to know why it is a suggestion though.

ETA due to a long gap between me typing and posting PAS has said why.

 

[Lots of Gift Bags]

Funnily enough, Me JB's sister said the same about getting the new dog in first, but he didn't pass that info onto me until I said that's what has been recommended on here.
Only about 24 hours to go!

 

[skinnydipper]

I've never made a big fuss when bringing in a new dog to join the family - just brought them home, kept it low key and ensured resident dogs didn't crowd them.

I was a little more cautious with my last GSD as he was a bit of a "crazy mixed up kid" when I got him. With him I allowed the other dogs to come into the room one or two at a time to meet him and there were no problems.

The low key approach also worked for temporary residents - a greyhound I was asked to look after for the day as she was not coping at a fundraising event and for a Parson Jack Russell who needed somewhere to stay for a couple of weeks. Both of those joined the gang of 8 or 9 dogs with no drama.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I've never made a big fuss when bringing in a new dog to join the family - just brought them home, kept it low key and ensured resident dogs didn't crowd them.

I was a little more cautious with my last GSD as he was a bit of a "crazy mixed up kid" when I got him. With him I allowed the other dogs to come into the room one or two at a time to meet him and there were no problems.

The low key approach also worked for temporary residents - a greyhound I was asked to look after for the day as she was not coping at a fundraising event and for a Parson Jack Russell who needed somewhere to stay for a couple of weeks. Both of those joined the gang of 8 or 9 dogs with no drama.

Yes, definitely keep everything as low key as possible - Keep calm and carry on - as the saying goes. If you stay calm and take everything in your stride, it is most likely that the dogs will, too.

If I were introducing a pup to an established adult dog, I would do things differently from introducing 2 adults.

 

[skinnydipper]

.

 

[skinnydipper]

Only about 24 hours to go!

I hope everything goes smoothly and look forward to pics in due course.

 

[paisley]

Hoping it all goes smoothly, I might suggest its not unusual for the original residents to become peeved around 3-4 weeks in, (when it looks like its all going well) as it dawns on them that the 'guest' isn't leaving!

 

[TheresaW]

Hope all goes well tomorrow. As Clodagh mentioned above, we literally brought Bo home and cracked on. Bo was 120 miles away, and we took Luna down with us to meet him. Aled was an old boy then and the car journey was in our opinion to much for him. We took Luna and Bo for a walk together, then came home with both and straight indoors. Aled flicked an ear as we walked in, then all was fine. I am far from an expert, but I do think people overthink these things. Luna when she came home as a pup was brought indoors, we let her and Aled have a safe sniff of each other, and they were fine. We were relaxed, and they were.

 

[windand rain]

Must admit I think it is good manners Willow comes to the hall to have her lead on has been taught to sit before it is attatched and goes behind me through the front door before walking beside me down the path. All the dogs we have had old or young have been trained the same way. I dont even have to speak to her she takes one look and does it herself. Agree walking together is the best way and the new one will need a good walk when he arrives. Tend to find male dogs easier to integrate than girls. So a good walk and following you in might well eliminate too much of the agro

 

[Sandstone1]

If possible take them for a good walk together and get them walking alongside each other. Then let them in garden together before taking in house. Make sure no toys or food bowls around. If possible have a somewhere that you can keep them apart if needed and obviously dont leave them alone at all. Hope it all goes well. Feed apart etc.

 

[Lots of Gift Bags]

Less than an hour to go!

 

[MrsMozartleto]

Hopping in to see if any arrival news. Not that I'm impatient and living vicariously through other people's dog getting you understand ??

 

[SAujla]

Good luck!

 

[Lots of Gift Bags]

He's arrived and he's rsther wired to say the least. Took them out in the dark for a walk, Juno was not impressed with him, and we kept them on lead back in the house as she was being very aggressive towards him. Then she just suddenly became quite friendly and they had a little play. We've now gone to bed, we were going to put him in the crate but he's not been crate trained and I don't want it to be stressful for him so he's loose and is moving round. He just jumped up on the bed, so Juno followed (she sleeps next to the bed not on it) and told him to get down. Actually really proud of her, she's being ever so good and all those hours of training has really paid off as she's being very obedient.
Photos to come tomorrow.

 

[dogatemysalad]

Brilliant. Hope all continues to go well for them. Particularly liked the fact that the new boy wanted to sleep with you. It must be hard for him. Also liked the fact that Juno started training him and letting him know the house rules. Dogs are great trainers of dogs, just as horses are great trainers of horses.

 

[Lots of Gift Bags]

First night over. He took a while to settle down, he messed downstairs and once i realised and cleared it up, he settled and slept all night, he's a lot calmer now. We're going to take them out for a long walk this morning (he'll be in a long line!) and then see how he is.
He's very affectionate and cuddly, got a sweet nature, him greeting us earlier:

https://flic.kr/p/2kkYFX4

https://flic.kr/p/2kkYFXe

 

[MrsMozartleto]

Oh he is gorgeous!

I hope all goes well lass.

 

[TheresaW]

Beautiful. Hope they enjoy their walk.

just a little thing I learned with Bo. He was ok lead walking with Luna for the first couple of weeks, but as he gained his confidence back, walking them together became a nightmare. He would become quite anxious and turn on her, me, his lead. He has always been fine walked off lead. We spent over a year of walking them separately if doing a road walk. He still has odd moments when lead walking together, but nowhere near as bad.

I hope that doesn’t sound lecture like.