We're getting another dog!

TheresaW

TheresaW

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Help and advice most welcome please.

We've had Aled since September, he came to us as an 11yo when my OH's uncle passed away. He's settled in very well, is fine with our cats, and is very friendly to all the dogs we meet out and about, my sisters dog when we are together etc. He's even fine with the horses now.

On Friday I am picking up an 11yo golden retriever, who's owner has passed away. He is currently living with old owners Nephew and his 2 dogs, and he can't keep him.

All advice welcome on how to introduce them to each other please? Clodagh on here has already said about letting them meet on neutral ground, putting away toys and feeding separately to start with.

Thanks in advance.
 
How lovely to be taking on another oldie xx As Clodagh has said really. I normally suggest to meet on a walk first, initially on leash them letting the calmer dog off first. Then introduce in the garden & finally in the house, allowing the new dog to be inside first & bringing the resident dog in. Hope all goes well :-)
 
Thank you.

The plan so far is, when I get back with Bono, I will park down the road and get him out of the car. He's going to have a 3 hour car journey, so will need to stretch his legs anyway. (I will stop en route so he can have a small leg stretch and toilet break). I will let OH know where I'm going, and he will bring out Aled and we will bump into each other on one of our walks.

Aled could then come back first, and I'll bring Bono back into the garden for them to meet again?
 
If I recall correctly Aled had a bit of resource guarding going on initially? I'd make sure that both dogs are fed separately and there's nothing left lying around that he might feel possessive over for the first while and let them both have their own space in the house.
I'd always expect a wee bit of a settling in period with an established dog and don't panic too much if it isn't all hearts and flowers initially when Aled realises Bono will be living in 'his' gaff. But hopefully it will all be fine.
Well done for taking him on, a lovely thing to do.
 
Yes, you're right about Aled and his resource guarding, although food has never been an issue. He's happily let me take his food away from him on the odd occasion I've forgotten to put his tablets in. He will also let the cat have a nose in his dinner, cats are fed at top of stairs, Aled in the kitchen. We will definitely feed them separately though for the first couple of weeks, Aled can stay in the kitchen, and we have a big area by the back door where Bono can be fed.

All toys, bones etc will be put away.
 
I like your plan on meeting away from the home. But I wouldn't complicate it. Just walk them home together and job done.
 
congrats and well done for taking on an oldie. goldies are wonderful :)

you've had some great advice. I'll just add that imle it can take several weeks for them to even start getting on really well. when I bought the rescue in with my old dog last year, he scarcely acknowledged her in the house for about 5/6 weeks (although he did on walks). Then one evening he got up and offered her a toy and they were good pals after that. Even with younger dogs it can take time and rehomes have a double whammy of change. we will want photos :D
 
TheresaW said:
Yes, you're right about Aled and his resource guarding, although food has never been an issue. He's happily let me take his food away from him on the odd occasion I've forgotten to put his tablets in. He will also let the cat have a nose in his dinner, cats are fed at top of stairs, Aled in the kitchen. We will definitely feed them separately though for the first couple of weeks, Aled can stay in the kitchen, and we have a big area by the back door where Bono can be fed.

All toys, bones etc will be put away.
Click to expand...

It doesn't sound to me as though he is going to live at your Mum's!! LOL.
I cannot say how wonderful Theresa and her OH are, details about this dog were emailled to me as the man who has him is a friend of our middle lab's breeder. I thought it was unlikely anyone would be interested but put the shout out and Theresa rises to the occasion again. Hats off to you and I hope he settles in really well.
 
Thank you everyone. I will keep you updated, and of course post pics.

Amymay, advice noted. I will just park at the other end of the road, and walk him down to meet OH and Aled.

Clodagh, it was my intention for him to go to mum, but in all honesty, I don't think she'll be able to look after him properly. I am hoping to get her out walking with us, so will see.
 
As an example, when I picked up my new rescue Millie last week I brought her home in the car alone, introduced her to the established 3 dogs in the garden then walked them together - obviously Millie is on a lead, but they were all crammed into the back of a VW Polo on the way to the walk! Millie is approx one year old and the others are 10 and 8 years old....

I keep wondering whether I am very lucky but 8 rescue dogs later I must arrogantly hope there is a little more to it than that - I treat any new rescue in exactly the same way that I treat my existing dogs, slot them into the same routine from day 1, and I have never had a problem. Good luck :) :)
 
Just a quick update to say we haven't picked him up yet. I got a call Thursday eve to say that his old owners funeral is on Monday, and some family members want to see him one last time. Guy who has him at the moment is going to call me Tuesday to re-arrange me picking him up.
 
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