Introducing a new dog to our 'attack dog'

[DizzyDummy]

We have an 8 year old dog who basically flies at any other dog when she is out for walks (we keep her on a lead obviously). We would love to get another dog, is it possible to re-train her at this age do you think? Any advice would be welcome, thanks.

I would say that re trainign her is ppossible but it would be unfair to get another dog until you have done so.

Oh absolutely, wouldn't dream of putting a dog in that position.

This is an interesting question. One of our greyhounds is an elderly bitch with arthritis. Partly as a result of the "Oh, he's only being friendly/wants to play" brigade she is dog aggressive when out (very protective, understandably, of her shoulder). However, we've had a number of fosters and with one exception she got on just fine with them, and in fact is still best buddies with one of the ex foster bitches who has now become a good friend of ours. She also has a couple of "special" greyhound pals who she meets up with at the park/for sleepovers etc. with no problem at all. Funnily she shamelessly bosses around the two males who are about three times her size, but treat her with a great deal of respect.

I think I would advise meeting on neutral territory and taking them for a walk together and see how they get on. If that goes well, they will probably be fine. It's perfectly Ok for a bit of harrumphing for the first couple of days - very normal and fine. Keep a beady eye on proceedings, but in general I'd say go for it - dogs are intensely social animals and I think it is much better for them to have other woofs around.

Thanks for the advice everyone, what I didn't mention is that we do have another dog who was here before she arrived and she is fine with him. We got her from a breeder but we were her 3rd home as she had been returned twice before so we aren't sure of her early history. I would like to get another dog from a rescue centre so maybe they would let us take her there and see how she gets on?