Introducing a new puppy...

[Sarah W]

At the moment I have 3 (and a half!) dogs;

Jack (male) - a border collie/serra da estrela (Portuguese mountain dog) cross. 4 years old and a big softy.

Mickey (female) and Buster (male) - 2 year old large terrier/hunting/podengo dog types (their mother adopted us when she gave birth in a derelict barn next door so no idea of actual breed). Pretty much devoted to each other apart from the odd spat but they do gang up on Jack occasionally however he is big enough to deal with them and Buster especially has the scars to prove it.

The 'half' is a cute podengo type dog who lives in the village but mainly stays with me - he's the only un-neutuered dog in the pack but is very submissive and never fights with the others.

We're getting a new puppy in 4 weeks, a male Eng. springer spaniel so any advice on how to integrate him as harmoniously as possible would be much appreciated! We've got a crate for him and will keep the others within sight but not touch for the first week. My main worry is the brother/sister who's instinct is to hunt and kill...

Thanks in advance for any ideas and suggestions.

 

[CAYLA]

I havea puppy guide that I worte for the rescue pups when they leave me, which has a bit about introducing newbys as well as ALOT of toher stuff, if any use just Pm me your email addy

 

[Booboos]

I tend to do the following:
- first allow the new puppy some time to explore its new environment in a room with no other dogs, but with me supervising. OH does something fun with the other dogs.
- when he is nice and settled, I hold the puppy in my arms, sit on the floor and OH allows the other dogs to come into the room one at a time. I sit on the floor so the other dogs don't have to jump up to smell the puppy but he stays in my arms for safety.
- if all goes well and no one shows any unacceptable behaviour I gradually allow the puppy on the floor between my legs and then he can decide whether he wants to venture further and socialise more.

For the first few months I never leave the puppy unsupervised with the other dogs. The crate is really useful for this.

 

[Sarah W]

Thanks for the email Cayla - it's really useful. And thanks also to Booboos; luckily my OH will be here for a week when we get Charlie so we'll be able to coordinate our efforts

 

[gunnergundog]

Sarah W .... are you in the UK? If not, not sure how applicable this advice will be, but if you are I take any dogs that I am not 150%+ sure of to puppy training classes. Contact your local training classes, explain your situation and ASSUMING that your dog is generally OKAY with adult dogs and well socialised they are generally happy to accept an adult dog along to help with puppy socialisation.

It helps to remind the adults of youngsters and about tolerance, I find. My 27" entire male quite frequently will lie down and let border pups of c12 weeks crawl all over him to greet him.