How to introduce my dog to another....?

[Kay]

I have a 18months old Lab, who loves other dogs but i want to take him to my mum's as id like to visit for weekends, but she has an older dog who doesnt get along with other dogs so well. He has never actually biten or attacked another dog but barks alot, he is fine with the other dog my mum has.
I'd love to get them to meet and to try get them used to each other, but i am not sure the best way to go about it, im not worried about my dog cuz i know he'll love being at mum's i just dont want to upset her dog or cause any aggression. It would just make it so much easier as i can spend xmas with her and weekends. I live about 2hrs away, i dont visit as much as I dont want to leave my dog alone for to long as its not fair on him.
Has anyone any advice??
Thanks

 

[MamaBas]

It might work if you arrange, for the first meeting at least, to meet your mum with her two dogs somewhere other than on their property. Say a local park, and take them all for a good walk, taking them all home to your mum's house together. However, sadly, just as with humans, not all dogs get on with all dogs, and resent a strange dog coming onto 'their' property. If this happens, you can still take your dog with you, but leave him in your car while you visit with your mum! Two on one, on their territory, is always bound to be a difficult scenario, but with care, and as your mum's dog gets to know your's more, it should work okay.

 

[freeekle]

THIS IS HOW NOT TO INTRODUCE DOGS>
Put them in seprate rooms, next to each other, if they don't seem to fight, put them together, but have them on leashes, if they fight, put them back, if they don't let them play.

>Having them on leads generates aggression as they feel vulnerable, separating them in the problematic dogs house gives the dogs a reason to believe they are a threat and would create tension

> i agree with this post-
The previous posted is incorrect. Dogs should always be introduced on neutral territory. Take the dogs for a walk together outside and allow them a short, supervised play period if the walk goes well. Bringing a strange dog into another dog's territory and then crating it spells recipe for disaster.


The best way to introduce dogs who may fight is to walk them together and persevere. I have a male who will not tolerate other males and usually attacks them. We successfully introduced a young entire male . I had been anxious about it as my friends dog is a rottie x doberman and is v strong and my lurcher is getting older. My dog kicked off and growled, barked and tried to charge at him while on the lead as we walked side by side on the street so i asked my friend to pass his dog to me. With both male dogs in each hand and my jack russell we walked a good 200 yards till my lurcher calmed down and stopped being as aggressive. I did have to restrain him initially as we walked but quickly he did calm as i took charge of them both calmly and assertively. He was much calmer walking with him rather than next to him.
Then ,once they have calmed down- and don't be alarmed by some barking and posturing - let them off in a park where there is enough space for them to run and chase each other. Expect to see some raised hackles and intense sniffing - if they look like they are going to fight walk away and encourage them to follow. If you approach they make get possessive and protective of you or your mum and may actually fight. Unless they are actually fighting do not grab them by the collar or pull them back as this will add to thier aggression. Be calm, don't shout . change direction regularly as you walk and call them. If tensions rise walk away in opposite directions and they will eventually follow you - dogs want to be with thier pack more than they ever want to fight. Some wrestling is a normal part of of play and finding thier place in the pack so allow them to play rough and again if you are concerned just move on and encourage them to follow.
Even if they do appear to be starting to fight try to hold back, stay calm . Some noises , growls, yips, barks may sound alarming but are innocuous. Most 'fights' the dogs use an inhibited bite and aren't really hurting each other even though it looks frightening. Only intervene if they are really attacking and are undistractable - chances are if you walk away and call firmly and persuasively the tensions will reduce and they will continue to chase , circle and hopefully play.If things get too tense separate them and place them back on leads and walk them together side by side again till calm Repeat the process of walking together next to each other , then with the same person holding them both. Remain positive and persevere. Don't expect perfect behaviour , discourage negative behaviour by calm assertive body language, physical and verbal commands . Reward good behaviour but don't get excited or over verbalize. I'd say the majority of the time its best to ignore them as much as possible. A good walk leads or no leads is a good enough reward as it is.

If you are too anxious to be relaxed the first time to let them off the leads and run- which is best, then regularly walk them side by side until they completely accept each others presence. always walk with the least tension on the lead. Gradually increase the length of the lead and allow them to sniff each others bums- try not to introduce dogs face to face- its an aggressive stance, but don't restrict thier movemmet too much.
Avoid allowing either dog to place thier head on thier shoulder as this is a dominant posture . A short sharp sideways tug at the lead or a gentle but swift touch from your foot can help correct negative behaviours whilst on the lead and help them to continue moving forwards.

Depending on the you and dogs this may take some time for total acceptance and each time they are reintroduced expect some barking and growling initially
until they reach a calm submissive state. Remember YOU are the pack leader . Problems arrise when you are not exhibiting leadership and they will fight for the role.
You can reward them when in a calm submissive state with treats or affection vut only when they are all behaving exactly as asked at that moment e g all laying on thier beds. Do not let them crowd you or they may compete for affection or food or toys. Never give them any when excited.
Until they play nicely out of the house on neutral groun

 

[LadyJaneGrey]

The previous posted is incorrect. Dogs should always be introduced on neutral territory. Take the dogs for a walk together outside and allow them a short, supervised play period if the walk goes well. Bringing a strange dog into another dog's territory and then crating it spells recipe for disaster.

 

[dairy queen]

Put them in seprate rooms, next to each other, if they don't seem to fight, put them together, but have them on leashes, if they fight, put them back, if they don't let them play.