How To Introduce Two Dogs To Each Other?

[squeak]

We have just adopted and brought home our second furkid. Just wondering the best way of introducing them. Our first dog is Stormy, a 2.5 yr old female deerhound X adopted June 2006. Our current adoption is a 20mth old male retriever x lab - we think to be names Murphy or Murray.

So far they have had two runs together at the RSPCA. We have introduced them at home on lead, after going for a walk down the street. Before this, we let Murray/Murphy explore the backyard whilst Stormy was in the house. Then we let Stormy out to explore and sniff the backyard.

Any and all advice is appreciated, particularly since Murray/Murphy has only been desexed today and the instructions say not to let him play with other dogs until he gets his stitches out

[squeak]

** bump **

[Tonymc]

Squeak,you have already headed down the right track.Squeak I would progress as you have.If your concerned the two Dogs can be introduced on short leads,which you have already done anyway.

You can simply for the next stage let both dogs have more lead,thus more freedom.All going well at that stage you can then let both Dogs have off lead time together on a neutral territory and observe the behaviour.

Once the Dog is recovered from the op and the above stages have been carried out,then under supervision release both into your yard.Observe and note behaviour.

There maybe a bit of tooing and froing whilst the dogs sort out their status.This does not mean it has to be fighting or anything drastic,as mainly it can be very subtle.

Alot of potential problems Squeak can be nipped in the bud,by you showing clear leadership to these Dogs. Tony

[squeak]

Thanks Tony. Can you believe that it is something I didn't consider until I got the second dog home And, he was by no means a impulse decision, as we have been looking for about the last 6 months...

And, yes, I do understand the point you make about the dogs sorting out their status. I concerns me a little, but I just have to be strong and firm and make it clear what the rules are in our house. I saw a tiny bit of it last night - both dogs were crated and had been given Kongs. Stormy was not at all interested in hers, but growled (tiny) when the other dog looked at her. Not something that I would normally expect from her, but just indicates that I have to, initially at least, be very attentive to them both when there might be food around. But having said that, it does make sense in a way, as we have brought a new dog onto her "turf". I made it quite clear to her that it was unacceptable. I just really need to remind myself not to become "soft" on Stormy because I have brought an intruder in and feel sorry for her. Fair and firm, right?!

I think that the thing that I will really need to remind myself of, is that the dogs need to sort out their order in the pack (below the humans)... and it doesn't matter who I think should be "top dog" out of them, that it is up to them to decide and I will need to respect that. It should be interesting to see what develops, as they both seem to have fairly easy going natures, but I am guessing that in time one will take the lead more than the other.

We are just really hoping that we have made the right match... time will tell.

Edited December 11, 2007 by squeak

[Tonymc]

Squeak you hit on a very important point in your post.Your on the right track by saying you will observe and take it from there.

I have seen some people get the hierarchy confused or mixed up and in their minds place a lower ranking dog above the higher ranked Dog.These People then treated the lower ranked dog as the highest ranking Dog.A great way to cause problems for oneself.

Your pretty well there though as you say in your post,you will aslong as its acceptable let the dogs sort their status out and then manage them according to the rankings they self appointed. Tony