On Saturday, we will be bringing home a new addition to our family, a German Wirehaired Pointer puppy. Any advise on how to introduce him and Millie to each other?
On Saturday, we will be bringing home a new addition to our family, a German Wirehaired Pointer puppy. Any advise on how to introduce him and Millie to each other?
If Millie has never had problems with other dogs, I would introduce off leash. I’ve observed and had some issues if my own with dogs on-leash, I think it can create tension or project my anxiety to the dog whereas off leash we’ve never had any problems. I also avoid having one dog gated, crated, or in a pen though this seems very popular. My dogs tend to get more aroused when the new dog is behind a barrier. They get frustrated by this or if the new puppy is moving around fast it arouses their prey drive and just creates problems that aren’t really there if I put them all together off leash.
Congratulations guys! How exciting!
You will probably get a dozen different answers. A friend of ours who has always had GSDs told us to introduce them on neutral ground, but Julie told us to just put them together when we got home and they’d sort themselves out. We took Julie’s advice and never had a problem.
That said, I am sure temperament will also play a factor as Lies said.
When I get foster dogs I usually put the foster in the yard and let it sniff around, then I let out one dog at a time until everyone is out. So far this has worked and I’ve also used this method to introduce several of my friend’s dogs when I’m dog-sitting. I’m too lazy to find “neutral” ground though for me it does work better to put the new dog in the yard first rather than have all my dogs out and try to bring the new dog through the gate (usually this results in the new dog being too overwhelmed and reluctant to go in). Luckily my dogs enjoy the company of other dogs. We’ve had our current foster for a week and already she is like their little sister.
I think the temperament and history of the resident dog should be the main factor. I’m usually introducing much smaller dogs to my large dogs so therefore would never just plop them down, I usually just carry the puppy in my arms and let the others get familiar with the sight and smell of the puppy, than when the dogs are not showing as much excitement and are in a much more relaxed state of mind I kneel down and let the smell the puppy, cradling the puppy’s head next to my body to comfort and reassure it, than again when the dogs are beginning to relax again, I put the puppy down and watch, of course my dogs know ” leave it” very well and I feel I could immediately control the situation, if I had dogs who tended to be aggressive to new dogs I would introduce like I do kittens, with the puppy protected in an x-pen and the dogs able to sniff but not bite.
I tend to do more like Lorie. The key here is that you are presenting a puppy. Most adult (or almost adult) females will accept a puppy. I would never just plop a puppy down. I want both to feel comfortable.
With Kayla, I kneel down while holding the puppy and say, “Look Kayla, I got you a puppy” as I present the puppy’s back to Kayla. Then I let Kayla sniff and do her puppy inspection.
My biggest concern about you getting this pup—how the heck are you going to get his ears to stand up?!? 😉
Tell Millie that this is the ugliest GSD you’ve ever seen. You felt so sorry for it that you just had to bring him home.
Carole- You are hilarious! Millie already knows she is the most beautiful dog in the world (at least that is what we tell her!) Thanks for the advise!
It depends on how Millie is at home. Some dogs can be VERY protective of their pack and turf, and will not want any other dog to be even close to either. Some are just fine as long as the other dog is non-threatening. I’ve seen some dogs that are great out in public with others turn into monsters when their home turf is “invaded” by another dog.
How Millie is at home should determine if you can just introduce the two of them in the house, or out at the local school playground. I’d also be especially watchful when the pup is around your daughter. Also have tons of her favorite treats on hand so the introduction to the new pup is associated with good stuff!
There’s lots of advise here now so I’ll just say….How cute!!
Yeah…a Herding Dog and a Sporting Dog!!