Adopted puppy due to owner illness - advice?

[Newschapter]

We already own an two year old shihtzu and she's a lovely dog, house trained (the odd accident but 99% there and the 1% is human error if the teens are there with earphones in and don't hear her tell them she needs out!!)

Anyway, we hadn't really thought about a second one but circumstances have found us with a new addition. She's three and very timid.

She's also house trained, but whilst our girl is used to a busy house (me, dh, two teens and their many friends) this little love was with a pensioner in a quiet house.

We love her already, we want to make this work as she deserves so much love (she was totally loved and adored where she was but unfortunately the woman is sick and won't recover).

Our girl is very confident, domineering almost, but she loves the little one and wants to play with her. She arrived on Friday night and they can both be in the same room (one on each side of my lap ) and get on great, but how do I stop out girl from trying to domineer?

For example, I threw a ball, they both ran for it, our girl stepped in front of the new one and blocked her path

We went a walk, I had the new one, dh had out shihtzu, our girl kept almost running to stay a step ahead of us

Small things really, but we want this to work, we love her already and would ideally like them both to rub off on each other. One become less bolshy and one be a little more confident.

Early days I know, but any advice welcomed. I'm by no means an expert so I will listen to those of you who are thanks in advance

[DollyDaydreamss]

Not an expert either but I think at the moment I'd be walking the new one alone and throwing a separate ball for her. Just little things and only for a little while to help her settle a bit and get used to you as well as her new friend

[StillMedusa]

I think the advice on the FB training support and advice group is to separate them, even if they seem ok together..baby gates or whatever until they are fully used to each other being around. New girl may be overwhelmed and may show some behaviours once she gets over the shock of the move. Definitely try and walk separately (go in opposite directions and meet up at the end?!) Give them both a chance to adapt without being in each other's face :)

[Newschapter]

I don't have baby gates but I might have a crate? Actually I don't but I will borrow one.
Thanks, will look up the FB page

[RoombaSavedMySanity]

I would be careful not to set up any competition at this stage.

Throwing one ball with two dogs is asking for trouble from all but the most placid, bonded dogs. I wouldn't do it.

Nor would I leave toys or chews lying about. I would encourage the dogs to have their own place in the evenings to prevent competition to be near you.

I would feed separately.

I would sleep them separately and ensure they have their own beds during the day.

For their benefit I would also do some walks separately.

I would prevent the old dog pestering the new one for play.

All until I could see they had developed a strong bond.

Wanting to walk ahead is a bit different. I have never had a dog that is happy at the back. It's not domineering, I think they tend to like being up front with the action.

[Newschapter]

Thanks @RoombaSavedMySanity

The thing with the ball was to see if new girl was interested. Her owner said she never played with toys or wanted toys, so I was really just lobbing a tennis ball down our hallway to see it if would spark an interest.

I'll play with them separately today

[Funf]

Roombasavedmysanity
Spot on exactly what I would say.
Many years ago we had rescue who was 6 he never played ball he died at 17!