Getting a new puppy...how to introduce it to 7 year old lab?

[Sylvie Sartre]

We are planning on getting a new lab in a few months. What is the best way to introduce our new addition to our 7 year old lab? Should we get a male or female? What temperament? Our lab is a dominant male yellow lab. He is very friendly and great with kids, but he does have a tendency to hump every dog at the dog park.

 

[jtexas]

If he goes to dog parks and doesn't get in fights, then you've got nothing to worry about. Stay close for their first meeting. In fact, don't leave 'em unsupervised for a couple-three months.

A 7 year old well-socialized dog will recognize a puppy as being a puppy. He'll teach the new dog everything he knows. They will be a never-ending source of entertainment in your house. You might even decide to cancel your cable subscription.

 

[Angelina]

Introduce them at the park a few times and see if they get along well. Do that and keep them around each other for a while. Once you think they will be a good match. Bring the dog to your house just for visits, since your dog is dominant, he might have a problem with a new dog all the sudden living on his property. So make sure they get along at your house too. If they do, then you should be ok.
If you get another male, your dog might not like another male on your property. So if you want to get a male, try to get one that's submissive, just to avoid a dominance problem.
If you get a female, make sure to get her spayed first, and get your dog neutered if he isn't already. If he is but the female isn't spayed, the humping will be a real problem, especially when she's in heat. So make sure they both get spayed and neutered.

Good luck!!!