Introducing A Puppy To A 5yo Pining Sibe Bitch..?

[Sharna3]

Hi All,

We recently lost our male Rotti and in the last week his best friend, a 5yo husky bitch, has been fretting noticeably (we think it has finally hit her that he is really, finally gone)

We made the decision to get a new puppy and he is due to come home next week.

I am worried about their introduction, Jazz is a very active and full on dog with other dogs and gets along with them fine but is quite domineering in play, etc. Also, I worry that she will be a little anti-the puppy because he is not our Rotti, her best mate.

Just after advice, what is the best way to introduce them?

Should I sit down holding the pup and let Jazz in to sniff and get to know the pup this way? Or put the pup on the ground and let her in?

I don't want my nerves to stress the dogs out and think that knowledge is the best weapon I have against nerves so any suggestions, hints, tips would be great.

[oakeydoak1]

Hi Sharna

First of all sorry to hear about loosing your Rotti - so sad.

It would probably be best if possible to let them meet on neutral ground is there a park nearby? Have your dogs on a lead and make sure you have control of the Sibe. You will be able to judge pretty quickly how she is going to react.

Make sure that until you are sure your Sibe has accepted the pup that you dont leave them alone together.

Hopefully with any luck she will accept him just fine.

Hope this helps and I am sure that you will get plenty of advice.

Mel

[Sharna3]

Hi Sharna

First of all sorry to hear about loosing your Rotti - so sad.

It would probably be best if possible to let them meet on neutral ground is there a park nearby? Have your dogs on a lead and make sure you have control of the Sibe. You will be able to judge pretty quickly how she is going to react.

Make sure that until you are sure your Sibe has accepted the pup that you dont leave them alone together.

Hopefully with any luck she will accept him just fine.

Hope this helps and I am sure that you will get plenty of advice.

Mel

Hi Mel,

Thanks :-)

I just worry - is it a bad idea to take a pup to a park??? He won't be fully vaccinated and I'd worry about parvo??

[luvsdogs]

Ask a friend if you can make the introductions in their yard. I had all intentions of introducing my last pup to resident dog somewhere neutral but it didn't work out that way. The dog came rushing out of the house when my son came home. She went straight to the pup who rolled over onto her back. There were all the usual doggy sniffing, raised hackles on the older dog etc. Although we tried to not leave them alone in the yard until the pup was bigger there were still the occasional scraps & telling off by the older dog.

They are now firm friends, love to play & rarely does the older dog tell the young dog off.

Are you getting another rotti pup?

[Sharna3]

Ask a friend if you can make the introductions in their yard. I had all intentions of introducing my last pup to resident dog somewhere neutral but it didn't work out that way. The dog came rushing out of the house when my son came home. She went straight to the pup who rolled over onto her back. There were all the usual doggy sniffing, raised hackles on the older dog etc. Although we tried to not leave them alone in the yard until the pup was bigger there were still the occasional scraps & telling off by the older dog.

They are now firm friends, love to play & rarely does the older dog tell the young dog off.

Are you getting another rotti pup?

That's a good idea - I do expect an adjustment period but hopefully it smooths out after a time.

No, not a rotti pup, I just can't do it. Considered it as I love the breed , my rotti was just a really perfect dog for me! If I'd gone looking for a pup before he went, would have definitely gotten a rotti but as it is, I can't look at a rotti without thinking about Bastian and then its all over :-(

We've decided on a Mastiff as we love big dogs.