Need advice introducing 2 dogs

[DayDreamer]

Hi Girls!

I have a question for you. My husband gave me the sweetest Maltipoo last month. He is now 9 weeks old and fiesty as ever. He is very small weighing only 2 pounds.

A family who is in the process of moving to Japan needed to find a home for their 1 year old Schnauzer. He's housebroken and a friendly as can be. Obviously, he is bigger than the puppy even though he still pretty much a pup himself.

We've had more than one dog at a time in the past, but they were always the same size and around the same age.

What is the best way to slowly introduce these two without the Schnauzer being too rough?

Thanks!

[Kate]

I'd make sure both of them are on leashes first and let them sniff each other and sorta play around each other with their leashes. And go from there.

[MalteseJane]

I agree with the leashes. They also say you should introduce new dogs on neutral ground. I would also keep them separated in crates when you are not able to supervise them. Or at least one in a crate. Are you crate training the little 9 weeks old ? This one should not have the run of the house anyway as long as he is not housebroken. You can also use an exercise pen insteat of a crate.

[ertech05]

I was gonna also say leashes...
If you have a crate- put the new dog in the crate and let the Senior dog sniff first..

[Ms Big Butt]

Hi Deb:

We did this over the summer: introduced a new dog to the house. We went to a park nearby, where the old dog was in familiar territory, then the new dog *arrived* like a new friend come to play. New dog was eager to get acquainted, but old dog was aloof & snobby (as usual).

Then we came back to our yard, where the dogs had some more sniffing time, and then into the house. I was relieved that they never growled or had any spats. The new dog (male) seemed content to let the old dog (female) be the boss.

Good luck on putting the pack together :bliss:

[DayDreamer]

Thanks so much for the advice everyone! The 9 week old has a crate for sleeping and a pet pen in the house for playing when I can't supervise him. He's doing very well with housebreaking and he's a great little guy.

We have been letting them sniff each other and slowly letting them 'bond'. So far so good! Neutral ground is always good!

I appreciate all of the advice and I'm going to certainly use it! We've always raised dogs from pups, so this older one is quite different for us, but he is a well behaved and sweet little man.