Introducing a new puppy into the home
Discussion
Looking for some advice from people who have introduced a puppy into their home with an existing dog.
We currently have a 1yr old Cockapoo called Sidney and been on the look out to get him a little friend. He is very sociable and loves meeting and playing with other dogs on walks, so thought a little brother would be ideal for when they are at home.
We had been looking at rescue and new pups, and by chance a English Springer who had been taken into a rescue was pregnant (unknown) to the rescue centre and she has given birth to some pups. Looking at the photos it seems the dad was a terrier of some sort by looking at the wired coat, but it’s not sure. We have been accepted to have one of the pups, and due to pick them up in December.
We already have a collar, leads, water/food bowls for the pup and a crate. I keep hearing stories about getting new beds for both the dogs to avoid the other one getting jealous, same with toys and chews? Any tips to ensure it’s a success?
We did dog sit our friends Cavapoo in the summer and while there was some initial issues they seemed to get on ok. We think he will be fine, but want to make sure Sid doesn’t feel threatened or that the new pup is taking over etc.
Any advice would be really appreciated.
Thanks
We currently have a 1yr old Cockapoo called Sidney and been on the look out to get him a little friend. He is very sociable and loves meeting and playing with other dogs on walks, so thought a little brother would be ideal for when they are at home.
We had been looking at rescue and new pups, and by chance a English Springer who had been taken into a rescue was pregnant (unknown) to the rescue centre and she has given birth to some pups. Looking at the photos it seems the dad was a terrier of some sort by looking at the wired coat, but it’s not sure. We have been accepted to have one of the pups, and due to pick them up in December.
We already have a collar, leads, water/food bowls for the pup and a crate. I keep hearing stories about getting new beds for both the dogs to avoid the other one getting jealous, same with toys and chews? Any tips to ensure it’s a success?
We did dog sit our friends Cavapoo in the summer and while there was some initial issues they seemed to get on ok. We think he will be fine, but want to make sure Sid doesn’t feel threatened or that the new pup is taking over etc.
Any advice would be really appreciated.
Thanks
I haven't ever introduced a tiny puppy (the youngest dog I've had was 5 months) but have introduced a number of new dogs.
I'd not thought about beds to be honest (other than making sure there are plenty to choose from - and our dogs have always been allowed on the furniture too) but new ones aren't a bad idea.
In terms of toys and treats, I avoid these for a while after bringing in a new dog. Likewise, I make sure to pick up any food bowls so that there are no potential 'flashpoints'. And make sure that play sessions/treats/meals are fully supervised for as long as you can.
I have often used a DAP diffuser and collars on introducing a new dog.
Will the two dogs be meeting before you bring the new pup home? If not at the rescue centre, it would be a good idea to arrange to walk them together somewhere neutral (not your existing dog's territory) before coming into the house.
Good luck and we want lots of photos!
I'd not thought about beds to be honest (other than making sure there are plenty to choose from - and our dogs have always been allowed on the furniture too) but new ones aren't a bad idea.
In terms of toys and treats, I avoid these for a while after bringing in a new dog. Likewise, I make sure to pick up any food bowls so that there are no potential 'flashpoints'. And make sure that play sessions/treats/meals are fully supervised for as long as you can.
I have often used a DAP diffuser and collars on introducing a new dog.
Will the two dogs be meeting before you bring the new pup home? If not at the rescue centre, it would be a good idea to arrange to walk them together somewhere neutral (not your existing dog's territory) before coming into the house.
Good luck and we want lots of photos!
We got a rescue puppy when Lou was 2 - the rescue insisted that we bring her up to the centre a few times to meet the little one on neutral ground.
Then on the day we picked him up, when we got home, I went into the house the got her whilst mrs p stayed in the car with puppy - opened the door to let her give him a good sniffing the Walked her for 10 mins (puppy still couldn’t go on the ground) and stopped periodically to let her investigate him.
She was fine so we took them both in the house.
Meeting on neutral ground allows them to accept the dog without having a new face being forced on them in their territory.
Worked a treat - she immediately started mothering him and allowed him to “milk” her whenever he wanted even though she had nothing to give.
Then on the day we picked him up, when we got home, I went into the house the got her whilst mrs p stayed in the car with puppy - opened the door to let her give him a good sniffing the Walked her for 10 mins (puppy still couldn’t go on the ground) and stopped periodically to let her investigate him.
She was fine so we took them both in the house.
Meeting on neutral ground allows them to accept the dog without having a new face being forced on them in their territory.
Worked a treat - she immediately started mothering him and allowed him to “milk” her whenever he wanted even though she had nothing to give.
Meet on neutral ground first, walking is the best idea so they cant meet face to face (not likely to be a huge issue with a pup)
Seperate food and feeding places and seperate beds. You need somewhere for the older dog to be able to escape as pups are a PITA for us and for them.
I take it the pup will be castrated?
Seperate food and feeding places and seperate beds. You need somewhere for the older dog to be able to escape as pups are a PITA for us and for them.
I take it the pup will be castrated?
I've always had more than one male dog at any time, always a combination of intact Great Danes and German Shepherds and the only 2 things I've consistently made sure of is (a) the dogs and pups meet in the garden for the first time and (b) the incoming pup has his own crate as base for the first month or so. That way he has a bed, blanket, toys and a feeding space that's exclusively his. So, having a nap, going to bed at night, meal times etc all involve going into the crate. That's beneficial for everyone.
Thanks for your comments. We are visiting the pup next weekend, and due to pick up first week of December. Currently all the puppies are with a foster mum at the moment so not possible to take Sidney with us.
Plan is to collect Pup, and then take across the road to the local park and get the dogs to meet on a neutral platform. We have both have some additional holiday to take before Xmas so will be able to make sure both dogs are supervised.
We also have a dog walker, and day care which will be handy to give the dogs some time out.
Plan is to collect Pup, and then take across the road to the local park and get the dogs to meet on a neutral platform. We have both have some additional holiday to take before Xmas so will be able to make sure both dogs are supervised.
We also have a dog walker, and day care which will be handy to give the dogs some time out.
We had an existing dog. An unknown age estimated 13yr old King charles.
He has never , ever shown aggressiveness to other dogs. He is very passive and chilled.
When we made the decision to get another dog, she is a Labradoodle, we had no hesitation allowing them to mix immediately.
Maybe not the official way or even recommend but for us, worked out well.
That night they were hugged up on the sofa and they are great friends.
They share the house. Although she chews when alone so she has a crate just for her when we are out.
Although his arthritis means he can't quite keep up with the younger dog.
They've never fought.
He has never , ever shown aggressiveness to other dogs. He is very passive and chilled.
When we made the decision to get another dog, she is a Labradoodle, we had no hesitation allowing them to mix immediately.
Maybe not the official way or even recommend but for us, worked out well.
That night they were hugged up on the sofa and they are great friends.
They share the house. Although she chews when alone so she has a crate just for her when we are out.
Although his arthritis means he can't quite keep up with the younger dog.
They've never fought.
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