Introducing new dog to another dog?

Friends of our's actually just rescued a dog themselves for their other dog. They seem to get along for the most part, but there is definitely tension. The dog they've had for years is being cranky with the new one. I think the new one is about 1 yr old. They can walk past each other ok, sleep at night ok. They just seem to show teeth and get into it when it's over territorial stuff, rawhide, balls, etc. They are bigger dogs so when they get into it, it's pretty scary looking. I know they doing the dominance thing, but how much is too much? Do you just let them be dogs? What if they hurt one another? Like I said, they overall they're ok. Of course they're nervous around each other still and testing each other I guess. I think they got the other dog not even 24 hours ago. I told them I think they're doing great being that it hasn't been long. I told them it takes time. But I didn't know if anyone here had any suggestions to help the transition? Thanks so much! It will be so helpful to them!

Re: Introducing new dog to another dog?

According to the books I have read and programs I have watched, I have learned that the human has to be the pack leader. It is not ok for them to fight and the pack leader needs to set the tone. Which ever one is showing the aggression at that time needs to be put in a submissive state.. It takes calm energy to do this as well.. (so hard not to get nervous or scared in the middle of a dog fight) But that is really important. Than the dogs will learn that it is unacceptable to fight.. She should really stop it way before the actual fight breaks out.. There are many warning signs.. The look they give eachother, The tail. The head in a lower position. As you mentioned the showing of the teeth.. She needs to go over calmly and snap them out of that frame of mind. Maybe give a sideway tug on the collar (firmly) This is what other dogs do they discipline eachother.. there is always a pack leader. The humans have to have that mentality and the dog will sense it. HTH!!

ETA: I would also not leave them alone together when no one is home

Message edited 7/25/2008 12:45:55 PM.

Re: Introducing new dog to another dog?

Posted by dilb712

According to the books I have read and programs I have watched, I have learned that the human has to be the pack leader. It is not ok for them to fight and the pack leader needs to set the tone. Which ever one is showing the aggression at that time needs to be put in a submissive state.. It takes calm energy to do this as well.. (so hard not to get nervous or scared in the middle of a dog fight) But that is really important. Than the dogs will learn that it is unacceptable to fight.. She should really stop it way before the actual fight breaks out.. There are many warning signs.. The look they give eachother, The tail. The head in a lower position. As you mentioned the showing of the teeth.. She needs to go over calmly and snap them out of that frame of mind. Maybe give a sideway tug on the collar (firmly) This is what other dogs do they discipline eachother.. there is always a pack leader. The humans have to have that mentality and the dog will sense it. HTH!!

ETA: I would also not leave them alone together when no one is home

Re: Introducing new dog to another dog? UPDATE

BUMP for update and another question?

Well, I was talking to my friend and she said things are going pretty well for the most part. They play a little more together, but the older one is still being aggressive towards the younger one. Most of the time they're ok, but when there is an object involved, the older one gets protective over the object. The younger one doesn't know any better I guess. Today she said they got into a nasty fight. They wouldn't stop. Teeth were out and everything. I believe they both got hurt. Nothing big or anything but they did. She said it was scary. She doesn't know how to handle the situation? They are both sweet dogs and hates to see them fight. The adult dog, just won't stop showing his teeth. The puppy just wants to play. She has never showed any aggression unless the older one starts in with her. They've only been together a week. She just doesn't want them to hurt each other. The older dog was never the dominant dog, but he is now. Can anyone suggest what she should do? Like I said, they are both sweet, sweet dogs otherwise. The older dog does not like to share toys either. She was also concerned because she has little one's and doesn't want them to fight because of that. Well, she doesn't want them to fight at all. She tries to stop any aggressive behavior before it starts, but today she said it came out of nowhere. Please, can anyone suggest anything she can do to help with the transition for both dogs? What is the best way to handle this? Thanks so much!

Message edited 8/1/2008 12:22:30 AM.

Re: Introducing new dog to another dog?

tell you friend that she needs to keep some loaded water guns around the house...sounds wierd, but here's the deal, they are both big dogs, she doesn't want to get in the middle of them-at the first sign of aggression, she needs to spray the one that's growling/snarling right in the face, that'll get the dogs attention, and then she can give the command "NO"....she has to be very direct, and in control. she needs to look right into the dogs eyes and say "NO", so that they understand that she is the pack leader. And then she needs to give them both a toy and stand there to make sure that they understand they can't fight about them....literally she should stand IN BETWEEN them. She should also make a point of starting with treats that take a few minutes to chew, not really a biscuit, but not a whole rawhide....like those pigs ears things....she needs to make them both SIT, and then at the same time give them each a pigs ear, and then stand there will they eat it...

and do the same thing with breakfast and dinner, make them both sit, and then put thier food down at the same time and stand there while they eat it...once this stuff is under control, the toy issues will work itself out....the older one sounds like he feels threatened, he needs to know that he's safe, that she's in charge and taking care of both of them

Re: Introducing new dog to another dog?

Lfitzy79 this was AMAZING advice ITA with every single word!!! The OP should copy and paste this over to her friend ASAP! I am sure this would help her.

Re: Introducing new dog to another dog?

Ok, a few questions before I can answer...

What is your friend's home life like? Does she have the time needed to invest in two dogs? Is she around with the dogs often or does she work, got a busy schedule?

I ask b/c having two dogs is VERY high maintainance and if she doesn't have the time to really invest in these two dogs, she's going to be sorry. And overwhelmed - which she CLEARLY is.

Now as for the introductions...what DID she do to introduce them? Where did the second dog come from? If it was a breeder well, then she should have a better idea of its temperment. If it's a rescue, well then to be perfectly honest she's not going to know what she got.

At any rate, the interaction between the two dogs should be VERY LIMITED. Are they both being crated? Crating them will be a HUGE help in that she can take one dog out, let them do their business and then take the second dog out and let that dog do their business. Then they go back in the crate. Have the crates next to each other so that they're familiar with each other but they will have their OWN space. Also, it shows them that they're getting equal "attention time".

I would also recommend keeping the new dog secluded to one room of the house, like the kitchen that way he/she is near by but not in the same space as the other dog.

Also, rotate their toys when they're in the crate that way they see they can "share' toys.

SLOWLY, after a few weeks of this separation she can then reintroduce the dogs to one another. Literally minutes at a time. Maybe take them on a walk together she and her husband or a friend taking one dog while she has the other.

Again, this process is going to take a LONG time to get through but it's got to be better than them fighting with one another.

You already said they both got hurt. That's NOT a good sign. Actually that
s a really BAD sign. It seems to me that this friend of yours is in WAY over her head and it's a shame b/c the ONLY ones SUFFERING are the dogs.

I would also recommend hiring a trainer so she can get some help with this problem as if it continues it will NOT get any better, but just WORSE.

I hope this works out for your friend and she doesn't have to give up the second dog.

Re: Introducing new dog to another dog?

I completely agree with Jennie0898 and LFitzy79.

They have to be separated for a while, especially when no one is home. It sounds like your friend needs a trainer to guide her through this. A huge part of the reason we decided to only have one dog for now is because we don't have the time to work through a situation like this, should it arise.