How to introduce a new Pug puppy to my current Pug puppy?

[GabZ .]

Hi!

I currently have a cute little 6 months old Pug puppy named Larry (he will turn 6 months tomorrow). He's very sweet, and energetic. We've had him since the end of December. Up until last week, there was always someone home with him, because both my boyfriend's and my work schedules worked out that way. But now, my boyfriend moved to another city for 8 weeks, to complete a formation. This means that when I work, Larry will be home by himself for about 8½ to 9hrs 5 days a week. I won't have time on my lunch break to come and take care of him, because my work place is too far away.

We originally thought about having another Pug when Larry is around 1 year old, but seeing as he'll be by himself so much, we're thinking of getting him a playmate over the next 2 weeks or so. We already have a potential new little one in sight, which we will meet in a few hours. She's a mix of Pomeranian and Pug, and she'd be ready next week.

The female Pug is located 4½ hrs away from my current home. I was wondering what would be the best way to introduce her and Larry, so that they become acquainted very fast and hopefully get along and be best pals.

I thought about bringing Larry with me when I come and pick her up, which means they'd have the whole ride plus little stretch and potty breaks to get acclimated. But this would also mean a very, very long day for Larry. I'd leave with him in the morning, pick up the new puppy. and return with both of them a few hours after, so he'd be cooped up in a car for 9 hours out of the day.

Another way to introduce them that I thought about would be to bring Larry to my grandparents' home while I go pick up the new puppy. But I'm not sure if I'd leave Larry with my grandparents overnight, while the new puppy gets used to the house, then bring the new puppy to my grandparents so they can meet, and then bring them both home at the end of the day. I'm not sure if Larry would feel threatened if he smelled the new puppy all over the house an hour or so after he just met her. Or do I bring her right away to my grandparents, so they can meet, and then bring them home on the same day of the pickup, so she can discover the house.

Or do I just leave Larry at home, and have him meet the new puppy on his turf?

I really want this to go well. Larry is a very good dog that looooves other people and other dogs. When we go for walks and we meet other dogs, he never wants to leave and always wants to keep on playing and sniffing. This makes me think it'll go smoothly. But you never know with animals, right?

One thing I should mention is that Larry really doesn't like not having access to certain parts of the house that he usually has access to. For example, if we don't want him in the kitchen and bloc the access with a plastic bin, and he'll just stay near the plastic bin and complain. So I don't think putting him in a separate room while the other dog roams free would be a good thing.

Another concern would be what to do after a few days, and I have to return to work? I plan to have 3 days off for when I bring in the new puppy, but when I have to go back to work, what to do with them during the day? Larry's used to roam free in the house, even when we're not home for even 6 hrs (which is the longest we've ever let him be by himself).

I'd really appreciate any advices. I tried to read a bit on the subject, but I get a lot of mix information, and a lot of it is about how to bring a new puppy to an existing grown up dog. I don't know if the process is different for puppies, or if it's about the same.

Thanks for taking time to read this.