Introducing dogs

[Flowerofthefen]

Our pup is 17 weeks now. She has been to 2 training sessions and a little walk on the beach and has been great with any dog she has met. My OH dad has 2 rescue jrt. Both lovely natured, a bitch and a dog. The dog can be funny with certain other dogs. His dad ( and his partner) can't tell quite how the dog is going to react. We are hoping at some point to introduce them on neutral ground, what's the best way to do it? Or do I just steer clear incase dog scares my pup?

 

[meleeka]

What I did in a similar situation with my dads dog was to go for a walk and just happen to come across each other. Don’t make the dogs say hello, just be walking the same way. You can then decrease the distance between you so that eventually the older dog is fairly close and can have a sniff if he wants to. The key is not to force the issue and to keep it casual. If you can, Id leave the bitch behind to start with because the dog will be different with her around.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

What I did in a similar situation with my dads dog was to go for a walk and just happen to come across each other. Don’t make the dogs say hello, just be walking the same way. You can then decrease the distance between you so that eventually the older dog is fairly close and can have a sniff if he wants to. The key is not to force the issue and to keep it casual. If you can, Id leave the bitch behind to start with because the dog will be different with her around.

That's a good idea, leaving bitch behind. Bit nervous doing it but I guess it's just the same as meeting a strange dog when done that way.

 

[Moobli]

Personally I’d make sure (as far as possible) that all interactions with other dogs at this impressionable age are positive so I think I’d avoid the dog that can react badly to other dogs for the time being and just meet the friendly female on neutral ground.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I would meet each dog individually on neutral ground, both participants on lead, with no pressure. It is best to introduce pups while they are still young as the adults' instincts will be protective, rather than combative.

 

[AmyMay]

It is best to introduce pups while they are still young as the adults' instincts will be protective, rather than combative.

Although not all dogs like puppies. Daisy can’t bare them.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Although not all dogs like puppies. Daisy can’t bare them.

One of our Labs is frightened of young pups but not of a 17 week old. If they are both kept on lead, the owners will easily be able to monitor reactions.
When we got the Labs, aged 8 weeks, we kept the adult Rottweiler on a lead round them for about a month, because she was so thrilled to see them that she was in danger of squashing them.

 

[Moobli]

I would introduce in a safe area away from other dogs, cars etc (fenced ideally) but would have them off lead as being restricted can can create frustration and hamper friendly interactions, as well as the potential for nerves from an owner to travel down the lead to the dog.