Tips on Introducing a New Dog into the Family...

[Freedom]

I do much as has been discussed.

When I got Lacey from the shelter, they insisted I bring Sugar down to meet her, first. They brought Lacey out into the walk area and had me bring Sugar over.

Since then, I put the pups on leash, Dad will hold them one at a time, while I have the newbie on leash and they meet in the driveway. Once I'd shuttled everyone through Dad's hands, they would all go in the back yard and I'd take the newbie back there too. Off leash, letting everyone roam, sniff butt, smell the ground etc.

After about 10 minutes, I'd take the newbie in the house on leash, to walk around, see the layout, find the water bowl. The others remained outside.

Back outside, all off leash, and eventually we'd go indoors. Mine would sort of do a double take as the newbie followed, lol. Now that we have regular play dates, my dogs are used to other dogs being in here, so that helps.

As for the cats, any dog I accept must already be known to be OK with cats. I already have 3 baby gates in place, so the cats have safe places and know where those are, so they can get away from a dog anytime they want. I never really did anything otherwise as to the cats. I know I'd see them up high (counter, tables, fridge) studying this newbie, or peering through a baby gate. And mostly, we wouldn't have any cats coming around sitting in our laps for a few weeks, until they adjusted to the newbie.

[Roxyluvsme13]

Yeah you definately do not want to rush things, if you are going to adopt from a shelter or a private adoption such as craigslist, bring Lily with to see how the dog does before bringing the dog home which would be my advice to you.

About the cats, take it VERY, VERY slow with them. Cats are very different and not all of them care for dogs. My boys love the dogs but Angel can do without them.

Maybe try going with a dog Lily's size or not much bigger than her? She could just have been intimidated by Duke's size. Do you have any idea what breed or in the mix range you are looking for? Maybe get a mellow adult lab from a shelter or something?

Well, we always take Lily to meet potential dogs, but she usually is overwhelmed by other's enthusiasm since she is pretty chill. She eventually adapts though; and she was fine with Roxy when they lived together and Roxy was definitely exuberant.

The cats love Lily, especially Domino, I guess it will just take time to adjust for them.

Lily thinks she's a Rottie (LOL), so she tends to lean more towards bigger dogs. Even though she has some issues meeting any dogs (which I still don't completely understand sometimes) she dislikes the little ones moreso than the big ones. She tolerated Duke, but if he was in her space, she didn't like that at all.

We've been looking at several different dogs, everything from Pomeranians to Pit Bulls, though I'm leaning more towards things on the larger side like Pits. We'll just have to see how everything goes :/.

I do much as has been discussed.

When I got Lacey from the shelter, they insisted I bring Sugar down to meet her, first. They brought Lacey out into the walk area and had me bring Sugar over.

Since then, I put the pups on leash, Dad will hold them one at a time, while I have the newbie on leash and they meet in the driveway. Once I'd shuttled everyone through Dad's hands, they would all go in the back yard and I'd take the newbie back there too. Off leash, letting everyone roam, sniff butt, smell the ground etc.

After about 10 minutes, I'd take the newbie in the house on leash, to walk around, see the layout, find the water bowl. The others remained outside.

Back outside, all off leash, and eventually we'd go indoors. Mine would sort of do a double take as the newbie followed, lol. Now that we have regular play dates, my dogs are used to other dogs being in here, so that helps.

As for the cats, any dog I accept must already be known to be OK with cats. I already have 3 baby gates in place, so the cats have safe places and know where those are, so they can get away from a dog anytime they want. I never really did anything otherwise as to the cats. I know I'd see them up high (counter, tables, fridge) studying this newbie, or peering through a baby gate. And mostly, we wouldn't have any cats coming around sitting in our laps for a few weeks, until they adjusted to the newbie.

This sounds like a potentially good idea. Let the dogs meet in the driveway, walk outside or something (we don't have a backyard, so we can't just let them run loose or anything), and then take the new dog in, let my mom hold Lily outside and then take both inside and see how things go from there.

I agree with the already cat-friendly thing. I've only been looking at dogs that are already cat friendly or live with cats presently. The cats have plenty of safe places without baby gates, so I guess that's good. I'll just have to see how they take things.

[MonicanHonda]

I like my friend's approach, which may be like others here. I didn't have time to read. Her blog is currently talking about a foster she brought in. Her one dog used to be severely dog aggressive, but through dedication and lots of training and counter conditioning. You would never know. You'll see quite a few pictures of them and the spots on her blog.

http://successjustclicks.wordpress.com/

[Shelteez2]

This is a series a youtube trainer I like did on introducing a puppy to existing family dogs.

http://www.youtube.com/user/pamelama...46/VivUyQ7luRM

http://www.youtube.com/user/pamelama...45/0C1YLE0UZWY

http://www.youtube.com/user/pamelama...44/2_nM-MzjySM

http://www.youtube.com/user/pamelama...43/WGMgzQ1i5IY

http://www.youtube.com/user/pamelama...42/lUdW9frq-fI

http://www.youtube.com/user/pamelama...41/47l203rLq9o

http://www.youtube.com/user/pamelama...40/6cJuaH7IQFU

[Roxyluvsme13]

I like my friend's approach, which may be like others here. I didn't have time to read. Her blog is currently talking about a foster she brought in. Her one dog used to be severely dog aggressive, but through dedication and lots of training and counter conditioning. You would never know. You'll see quite a few pictures of them and the spots on her blog.

http://successjustclicks.wordpress.com/

This is a series a youtube trainer I like did on introducing a puppy to existing family dogs.

http://www.youtube.com/user/pamelama...46/VivUyQ7luRM

http://www.youtube.com/user/pamelama...45/0C1YLE0UZWY

http://www.youtube.com/user/pamelama...44/2_nM-MzjySM

http://www.youtube.com/user/pamelama...43/WGMgzQ1i5IY

http://www.youtube.com/user/pamelama...42/lUdW9frq-fI

http://www.youtube.com/user/pamelama...41/47l203rLq9o

http://www.youtube.com/user/pamelama...40/6cJuaH7IQFU

These are both great, thank you both .

By the way, I've been asking these questions because we're doing an adoption trial run for a dog next weekend... I don't want to disclose any details yet because I don't want to get my hopes up, but Lily met the dog on Saturday at a pet store and she was a little nervous because he is pretty exuberant, but if he calms down in a home environment (which according to his owner, he does). Anyway, he's staying with us for a weekend to see how the cats react and how Lily reacts in our home environment. I really hope he suits our lifestyle, but we'll see. If things go well, I'll post more about it after next weekend.

Oh, and he's a rescue that was abandoned, a really nice family found him wandering their street, he was nothing but skin and bones and he was living off of garden mulch . Now, he is neutered, up to date on his shots, and a beautiful one year old boy. I found him on Petfinder.

Anyway, more details (including his name, what he is, and how the weekend went) to come in a week!

[dab_20]

I'm right there with ya. I have pretty much accepted I won't get another dog until molli is gone. She just really dislikes other dogs. I just don't see putting her through the stress of adding another dog worth it. I want my dogs to be friends. Molli just tolerates Sam.

Good luck on finding a solution. So sad to hear Duke didn't work out for you.

[Roxyluvsme13]

I'm right there with ya. I have pretty much accepted I won't get another dog until molli is gone. She just really dislikes other dogs. I just don't see putting her through the stress of adding another dog worth it. I want my dogs to be friends. Molli just tolerates Sam.

Good luck on finding a solution. So sad to hear Duke didn't work out for you.

I think that Lily can tolerate other dogs, she loves the cats, especially Domino and she and Roxy were very close, I just think it's going to take some time with her. That really sucks that Molli dislikes dogs that much .

Yeah... me too, but he is much happier with his new family and they are taking great care of him.