Introducing a second, older (rescue) dog. Any advice or tips please?

[MagratGarlik]

Just over a year ago we adopted a 12 month old whippet from the RSPCA who has been a great addition to our house and is really good with the dc's aged 7 and 4. So much so that we decided to add to our brood with another dog and on friday we will be collecting a 6 year old rescue lurcher (pic on profile).

I admit that when we introduced whippetty to the house we had things fairly easy - he is a kind and gentle dog who loves to please. He'd lived in a house before and we were pleasantly surprised to find he had been housetrained. With our new addition, we have little background on her, she has come to rescue in england from an irish pound so we don't know where she has lived before and I guess need to assume she has not been in a home before. She walks well on a lead, but doesn't know any commands so we will be starting from stratch with obedience training.

So, my question is, does anyone have any helpful advice for us on successful introduction of a new dog into the home? We will of course be making sure they have separate beds etc and I was thinking that when we go out (at first) to separate them using a dog guard so they can see each other but can't get to each other to reduce the risk of a fight breaking out in our absence. Does that sound reasonable?

[MagratGarlik]

Thanks - I was concerned about them fighting when left alone, though both are really laid back dogs, but whippetty's nose may be put out-of-joint I expect for a while. We have separate crates for them to escape to (when the dc's get too much - whippetty has figured out by now he goes in there and he knows he will be left alone) and the number of beds scattered around the house has multiplied overnight - I guess a sighthound can never have too many comfy places to sleep!

I am hoping that if necessary, whippetty will show her how things are done on the stairs as he is usually very good. I suppose with washing machines, hoovers etc it is just a case of carrying on as normal and letting her just get used to them without making a big fuss?

[Scuttlebutter]

If they've already met and that was OK, then things should be fine. It's perfectly normal for there to be a little bit of growling/drama in the first few days - nothing to worry about. Obviously, make sure plenty of space during feeding and start training as soon as possible. You may have to make sure with toileting - making sure she goes out immediately after every meal, every couple of hours etc and lavish praise when she performs. The odd wee in the house is normal though. To be honest I wouldn't separate them - you would only need to do this if they were needling each other all the rest of the time.

Probably the biggest issue is that your new arrival is unlikely to be house- accustomed. So she will need to be gently introduced to marvels like the washing machine, hoover, glass doors etc. Stairs may also be a learning curve!

One thing that is very important with a new dog with uncertain recall is to impress on everyone in the house about security. With a dog with good recall, it's very easy to be complacent about leaving front door open or access to street via garden. Until her recall is rock solid, remind everyone that access to street and the great wide open is strictly on your terms ie. on a lead and safe. She will be at her most vulnerable during these early days and this is often when tragic escapes happen.

Good luck with the new arrival and we want to see lots and lots of pics! [bugrin]