Introducing Pup To 1 Year Old Dog

[Rilla-My-Rilla]

I'm sure this has been discussed many times, but I did a search and couldn't really find anything that matches my situation.

We currently have 2 dogs. They are brother and sister, Jack Russel x Shit tzu. They get along just fine but the little boy is very shy and fearful with strange people, things and dogs. In a couple of months I'll be getting a BC pup. The two dogs belong to my sister, so they are more bonded to her then to me. We've started taking them to Obedience club, more for socialisation than training. The girl, Holly, will meet other dogs nervously, but happily and wants to play. Henry, on the other hand, is very scared of strange dogs. He's not aggressive towards them, he wants to hide between our legs and get picked up (he's even terrified of smaller dogs and a little 10wk old kelpie pup). So, whilst he's alright on neutral ground, I don't know how he'll feel about strange dogs at home in his own territory.

So my question is - does anyone have any advice on how to introduce a 8wk old bc to a jealous/fearful 1 year old dog?

Any help really appreciated, we're not sure how we're going to go with him. I still don't think he'll be aggressive, just maybe a bit jealous and sulky. Hope this all makes sense!

[persephone]

How old are the two resident dogs?

[Rilla-My-Rilla]

They will be one year old in June. I'm getting the puppy July/August.

[Dogsfevr]

Are you simply looking after these 2 small dogs or are they yours full time ??

[Rilla-My-Rilla]

They live with me and my sister, but they are hers so are naturally more bonded to her, but still love me a lot too. I'm not worried about the girl, it's the boy that suffers jealousy issues. He's also very fearful of anything new, which we're working on at the moment. When visitors come, the girl greets them and is happy. Henry barks, and then because he cannot bite the people, he bites Holly instead, because he doesn't like her associating with things he doesn't like/trust.

I do do a lot of training with Henry, to help my sister.

Edited February 26, 2012 by sjp118

[persephone]

I would advise contacting a recommended behaviourist .. ask on here for the name of a good person.

Talk with them, get them to see your dogs, and your home, and then see what they suggest about what happens when you get a puppy.

My concern is that dog's fearful aggression..and the redirected aggression.

he bites Holly instead, because he doesn't like her associating with things he doesn't like/trust.

Not a good thing. Also, A new BC pup will rapidly grow larger and be much more bouncy than the two small dogs ...perhaps leading to injuries either in play , or in confrontations.

poor Henry will be unable to properly escape this new pup , and I imagine it will really stress him out

Please get some good professional advice now (not just from Obedience club..they don't see the dogs at home ;) ) ..and hopefully then you will have a much better idea of how to approach things.

Edited February 26, 2012 by persephone

[Dogsfevr]

Would also suggest building a puppy run as it will be impossible to leave all unattended .

You don't want your pup to learn bad manners early on .

Are your plans to have all as inside dogs or will the BC be outside .

I agree getting more help will be your best friend when the pup arrives .

I wouldn't rush with introducing the pup so depending on your work situation (not sure if your at honme during the day ) i would be having time off work to allow the new pup to settle more than the established dogs as the pups routine will be the one that will have to work around the 2 current dogs

[Rilla-My-Rilla]

I'm home most of the time, and plan to leave the puppy in a small enclosed area outside when I'm out, or in a sturdy playplen/crate. I thought that we should introduce the dogs one at a time? Maybe Holly first, and then Henry. They don't bark as much when separated, I think they don't feel as forceful or something.

Thought maybe buying Henry some new toys and giving him lots of yummy treats, that are special for him, such as meat, might help when puppy comes home??

Some things I read said to send a blanket to the breeder for a week when the puppies are born, and then bring it back and put it in your dog's bed, and keep doing this until the pup come home? That way they recognise the smell as part of the family or something? I've read a couple of different ideas, but just wanted to know what worked? Obviously it'll vary depending on the dog.

Thanks for your advice so far :)

[Red Fox]

I'm sure this has been discussed many times, but I did a search and couldn't really find anything that matches my situation.

We currently have 2 dogs. They are brother and sister, Jack Russel x Shit tzu. They get along just fine but the little boy is very shy and fearful with strange people, things and dogs. In a couple of months I'll be getting a BC pup. The two dogs belong to my sister, so they are more bonded to her then to me. We've started taking them to Obedience club, more for socialisation than training. The girl, Holly, will meet other dogs nervously, but happily and wants to play. Henry, on the other hand, is very scared of strange dogs. He's not aggressive towards them, he wants to hide between our legs and get picked up (he's even terrified of smaller dogs and a little 10wk old kelpie pup). So, whilst he's alright on neutral ground, I don't know how he'll feel about strange dogs at home in his own territory.

So my question is - does anyone have any advice on how to introduce a 8wk old bc to a jealous/fearful 1 year old dog?

Any help really appreciated, we're not sure how we're going to go with him. I still don't think he'll be aggressive, just maybe a bit jealous and sulky. Hope this all makes sense!

You don't want your new pup to pick up bad habits from the older dogs. If one is very nervy then personally I'd keep them separated for the first few months - if not indefinitely. You can use crates, gates, separate yards and/or a dog run to do this.