Introducing a new dog.

[keljo]

My DH and I are going to look at a whippet in 2 days. We currently have a welsh corgi. Our Corgi, Peanut, was initially raised for 3.5 years with a big lab that the owners admitted bullied Peanut. Peanut has been with us for 1.5 years with no other dogs. My biggest concerns with her is dog aggression. She has issues with bigger dogs which I understand, however she also has issues with smaller dogs from time to time. However my DH says she plays well with others, lol. (I seriously wonder if its me that is the problem as she acts up around me. overly devoted? protective?) She is definitely a dominant personality. DH and I both want to get a second dog, partly for the reason that we think it would be good for Peanut. Our original intent was to get a puppy, as we felt she would be accepting of a puppy easier than an older dog. Our basic requirements (we haven't looked yet, just planned) were for a male, young/puppy, and submissive temperment. I'd planned to find a breeder that does puppy temperment testing. Last night I had the opportunity to talk to someone that has a 3.5 year old male whippet. Prince is neutered, and from the info given (long conversation) he has the temperment that I want for a second dog. He is even bossed around by a female cat that was introduced several months ago. My DH loves whippets and I really want this to work well for everyone and everydog. What tips can anyone share to make this addition to our home succesful?

[MrsRottie]

The first time these 2 dogs meet is crucial. Do not, whatever you do, bring the whippet into the house where Peanut (love the name) is boss.

Can you arrange for some 'meetings' in a local park/field where Peanut has never been before? With her being a bit of a madam, the first meetings need to be in a neutral territory.

In this surroundings you can immediately see whether Peanut will be friendly or not.

Continue on this vein for a week or so, and as long as they seem OK together then maybe set up a visit for the Whippet. Bring him into the house and see what happens.

However, it is very important that you are dominant over Peanut, she needs to see that you are the leader and that you make the decisions, so if you want Whippet in the house she will have to accept it....

Good Luck, let us know how you get on :)

[keljo]

Can you arrange for some 'meetings' in a local park/field where Peanut has never been before? With her being a bit of a madam, the first meetings need to be in a neutral territory.

I have to contact the owner and rearrange our meeting plans for Saturday night. That should be fine. (There is no pressing need to have the whippet rehomed by tomorrow. They are looking for a home where he has more human intereaction as they work very long hours.)


Continue on this vein for a week or so, and as long as they seem OK together then maybe set up a visit for the Whippet. Bring him into the house and see what happens.

good idea, hadn't thought of doing this as a drawn out rehoming.

However, it is very important that you are dominant over Peanut, she needs to see that you are the leader and that you make the decisions, so if you want Whippet in the house she will have to accept it....

This is very clear with Peanut and I, I am clearly the one in charge and have been reassured of that by vets and a behaviorist. Unfortunately I believe a lot of the issues come from my husband. I've been telling him for the last 1.5 years that he and Peanut are fighting for second place. As I didn't anticipate finding a dog that matched our guidelines this soon, I was caught unprepared. I know better and should have worked with him to work with her on training. I just find it so interesting that he can be with her and another dog and play and be happy. With me I see more aggression with other dogs. Sigh.. i keep thinking to myself that this was a foolish idea and I should have never responded to the email regarding the whippet last night. I'm afraid I'm going to have to break my hubby's heart. He wants a second dog more than me and more so wants a dog that is 'his'. Peanut is very bonded to me. ugh.. i'm babbling.. i'm sorry.

[keljo]

What does anyone think of this? I found this earlier today.


Introducing a New Dog to Your Resident Dog
Training Tips... by Ken Piening


For the sake of this article your new dog coming into the home will be referred to as
the "New Dog". The resident dog will be referred to as the "Old Dog."

The introduction of unfamiliar dogs to other dogs may be a perilous journey. This can be very stressful for the dogs and the owners. To help alleviate this stress, we must understand why the introduction is difficult for our dogs...
When the new dog enters the home, territorial instincts tell the old dog that he is to defend his home. These territorial feelings are the reason why dogs can not meet "the wrong way." To understand the proper introduction, we must know that dogs live in a world of scent. Dogs rely on their keen sense of smell to introduce themselves to their surroundings. Therefore, training is based on their highly developed sense of smell. This is a difficult concept to grasp because humans depend on sight more than smell. With this in mind, the home must be set up in a way that separates the two dogs so there is no visual contact. Visual contact creates posturing (a cold stare, growling and hackles raised). Dominant or submissive posturing immediately triggers a reaction in a the other dog and often leads to stress and tension between the two.
Introducing two dogs to each other...
Our FIRST STEP is to have two cages in separate areas of the home (or one cage and a laundry room); this is vital in allowing for a stress free meeting. The reason we allow both of the dogs to have their own cage is for the feeling of comfort and security. We use the cage as a training tool; the dog however uses it for security. It is very important that the dogs do not make visual contact during this sensitive FIRST STEP. We cannot let them see one another, but we will let them smell each other. This will be done by simply placing a toy, tug, or even a blanket in their cages. These toys are called "scent articles". The switching of these scent articles alone will allow a deeper relationship between the dogs. We are completely communicating to the dogs by the way they understand... through their nose!
The SECOND STEP we will be to let our new dog roam around the house. He will be getting accustomed to his new home and his new owners. Your older dog should be out of harms way (under your control and out of sight) when the new dog is out of his cage. The newcomer will be exploring your home while leaving his scent on a territory that is not initially his. The new dog should only be out of his cage for fifteen to twenty minutes, several times a day. This is plenty of time for him to check out his new environment and leave his own scent about the house. ( As you will see, later on after the introduction period is over and the dogs are comfortable with each other's scent, they no longer have to be separated. The new dog might need his own cage for other behavioral training not associated with the introduction period, for example, housebreaking a younger dog.) When the new dog goes back in his cage place the old dog's scent articles with him.
When playtime is over for the new dog, The THIRD STEP is to switch the dogs. This means that the new dog goes to a confined area and the old dog is allowed to play. The old dog comes out of the hidden crate and the new dog goes into his own cage (or room). The first time the old dog goes exploring he will vigorously explore the scent left around the home by the new dog until he is satisfied the intruder has "escaped". Your older dog might be overwhelmed and confused and now needs your comfort. Allowing him to sit on your lap or by your side through a good book or a rerun of Lassie will serve as the quality time he needs during this scent discovery period. For the old dog to understand the new smell, he should be let out of the cage as many times a day as possible. The old dog should only be let out after the new dog has played, and has been put away. With these short routines, both dogs are familiarizing each other at a faster rate. Actually, the concept is quite simple. The more times you let your new then old dog out, the quicker they will be acquainted. Your older dog will display his permission as to when the two should meet. When he comes out of the cage and does not follow the scent of the new dog, your older dog has given his permission. NOW THE NEW DOGS CAN MEET FACE TO FACE, since they are familiar and comfortable with one another's scent. Read on...
The FOURTH STEP is to introduce the dogs face to face. For territorial reasons, when introducing the dogs it should not be on your property. A neighbors fenced in yard, a fenced in ball field (when no other dogs or people might interfere), or any other fenced in area will be an appropriate meeting ground. Leashes may not take the place of a fenced in area; holding the leashes may potentially bring out aggression. If possible, let the old dog run around the field, while the new dog is out of sight. The old dog is laying the now familiar scent. Now it is time for the new dog to play in the field. The old dog is out of sight and the new dog also smells the familiar old dog's scent. They will both detect the familiar scent just like in the home. Since the dogs have already been formally introduced via each other's scent, they are ready to meet face to face. The area is safe because they are confined and can not run away. The dogs will run over to greet each other, smell, posture... and they will not have any inclination to fight.

This outlined routine has demonstrated a stress free and safe way to introduce new dogs. A dog's sense of smell is considered by many as its primary sense. Therefore, this training is based entirely upon the scent. This method will easily work with trained or misbehaved dogs. We are working hand in hand with the dog's natural instincts. Allowing the dog's instincts to teach the lesson will make learning simple yet efficient.

[Doberman's]

That actually sounds pretty good.

One thing to remember females can have issues together to getting a male ( like you were thinking of ) is your best bet.

Puppies usually get along with older dogs because they are submissive and will allow another dog to " boss " them around more so then a older dog would.

Just take it easy adn remember to not feed them together, feed them in seperate rooms, at least for the first while and maybe forever.

[keljo]

thanks for the replies :) here's the update and end result:

What the results were at/after the meeting:
1 - the dog was much larger than expected, they then admitted they'd been told he was the biggest whippet others had seen. On the phone I was told he came up to under the knees on a 5 foot tall person. He came UP to MY knees and I'm 5'7"
2- he was very skinny. I was told he was and expected it due to breed.. but every rib was visable and the spine was pronounced. This could be normal, I've never met another whippet. It just looked differenet from pics I've seen of whippets.
3- I was told he was 3.5, yet his muzzle was covered with grey. (His overall coloring was black with only white on his paws.) I've never seen that in a dog that young. it could be possible, but i thought it was odd.
4 - He was very hyper during the meeting (not unusual, but helped with the final decision)
5- Peanut reacted as expected and did her snarling/teeth baring routine.then kept backing away from him into the road ( I was kneeling on the curb with her at that point, she was leashed, she wasn't in danger of being hit).

Peanut is my main concern, and even if she had been great with the whippet, I just had an off feeling. I'm sure he was a great dog, but not for us. I've decided that while she is a very good dog overall.. its time I take responsibility for her agression issue and we are going to start training to eventually have her pass a Canine Good Citizen Test. I know better, I was being lazy :rolleyes: as it was not a big issue in day to day life. We are starting with an 8 week course, and then reasses then. We will then pursue looking for a puppy. Whippet puppy? corgi puppy? mutt puppy? we don't have a preference. If it takes longer to search thats fine. we honestly aren't in a huge hurry.

[lassie]

Well done to you for thinking it through properly and coming to a conclusion:) ..... We do have to go with our gut reactions;) . I hope you achieve your CGCT. im sure you will.;) Good Luck x

[nancy]

Pleased to see there are still people who consider what is best for the dog before jumping in and taking another dog just because it's what they want. Well done and I'm sure when you do get another dog it will be the right one, let us know how the classes go. Good Luck.

[MrsRottie]

Well done you for thinking it through and doing what was best for you and your family, it can't have been an easy decision for you to make - I know I'd have every stray given half the chance ;)

I like the system of introduction, it looks very thorough, I'll have to remember that :)

Keep in touch and let us know how Peanut gets on with her awards :D

[keljo]

thanks everyone :)

My DH wasn't thrilled with my decision as he really wants a second dog. He wass told before that it may not work out, and I was clear that Peanut was here first and she is to be respected.

Her classes are doing well so far. We are currently working at home and she is so funny with her 'lessons' She loves being praised for doing things right... but would appreciate it if I wouldn't have to make her sit before her morning run, lol.

This morning out landlords dog was out and I finally saw her try to play with him. I wasn't paying full attention and so had tugged on her collar. But she was definitely in play mode. We'll see what happens :)