Advice for introducing dogs?

[tatev94]

As I just posted in another thread, we're adopting a 6 year old brindle named Bubba. According to his foster, he's great with other dogs & kids, and doesn't seem to be bothered by cats.

My brother-in-law has a 3 year old Golden named Spencer. We'd like to introduce the dogs soon, since our families spend A LOT of time together. Spencer is alone most of the day, his dad takes him for walks frequently in the evening. However, he hasn't really spent much time with other dogs other than passing them on the street (he pulls on the leash a bit when he sees another dog, but nothing out of the ordinary.) He's great with their family's cat & 3 kids, and has never shown any aggressive tendencies.

Does anyone have any advice on how to introduce them? Should we go to their home, or them to ours? Or should we meet out for a walk together? (we only live 3 blocks apart.) Should we separate them at first (with a gate or fence) and if so, for how long?

Any advice is appreciated!

Thanks,
Paula

 

[rog1006]

First of all, I wouldn't introduce them within the first few days. Your new dog will need time to adjust to the new environment, family, etc. One of the biggest problems with "after the adoption" is that people don't listen when I tell them to wait at least a week to introduce. It's very important. When I do introduce, I have two ADULTS leash the dogs and head for a walk. The dogs then get to smell each other without being in each others faces. Let one walk in front of the other a few feet apart, then switch who gets to go first. Usually, they are so excited to being out and about, it's much less stressful than a face to face encounter. That's how I usually do it! Hope that helps a bit!

 

[tatev94]

First of all, I wouldn't introduce them within the first few days. Your new dog will need time to adjust to the new environment, family, etc. One of the biggest problems with "after the adoption" is that people don't listen when I tell them to wait at least a week to introduce. It's very important. When I do introduce, I have two ADULTS leash the dogs and head for a walk. The dogs then get to smell each other without being in each others faces. Let one walk in front of the other a few feet apart, then switch who gets to go first. Usually, they are so excited to being out and about, it's much less stressful than a face to face encounter. That's how I usually do it! Hope that helps a bit!

It does help, thanks so much! I was thinking that a walk together might be good, I'm glad you think so.

Paula

 

[nanabear]

Taking them for a walk is exactly the way I do it too.......
I usually have the foster and meet up with my husband not too far from home. We walk for awhile with the dogs interested in each other, but more interested in going for the walk. Then we walk them home together - let Mack come in first followed by the new kid. It has worked very well for us. Bringing another dog into our yard or home without that kind of an intro has NOT worked for us.
Good luck, it's neat when the dogs can enjoy each other just like the rest of the family.