Introducing a pup to our 2 year old dog - advice, please!

[MotherOfGirls]

Having spent a month trying to find a rescue pup, it suddenly looks like we may be collecting our newest family member tomorrow - and I suddenly feel completely unprepared! We plan to take our dog to the rescue so we can see how the two of them are together. Our dog is very submissive and has never shown any aggression, so we are hoping all will be well, but I'd be grateful for any tips.

Anyone?

Just do it - most adult dogs won't be threatened by a pup. Just keep an eye on them and separate if either looks stressed. Never leave them alone until they are totally ok with each other.

Our 5 year old collie was scared witless by our 8 week old pup - took him a few days to pluck up courage to be in the same room. After a couple weeks he was totally fine. Never any agression on either side - just a scaredy dog sculking as far away as he could get !

Thank you throckenholt. Sounds hilarious! Are they both boys? Do they get on well now? We have a male (neutered) dog and plan to get another as we feel like we know what we're doing with boys!

no - pup is a girl. Nearly a year on now and they are best mates (have been after the first few weeks). For the first few months the pup ran rings round the older dog, but now he is holding his own and neither is dominant. They get on really well - but the first few years were quite amusing to see the big dog scared of the little ball of fluff :)

I have found that females have the males wound round their little tail, at least mine does' She takes liberties and they are putty in her paws. 2 males can be fine but there is more of a risk of Alpha male competition than with a male and female.
How old is the pup?

Congrats on your new pup!

I've found the older dogs I've introduced my pup to have been a bit miffed at the obnoxious puppy suddenly in their face, but have taken it ok. My pup's 4 1/2 months old, so is just desperate to play with them. The older ones range from 5/6 to 11/12ish, so you may find your dog is a bit more willing to play, or your puppy may be younger and thus a bit less of an enthusiastic pita!

Just remember your dog will take some cues from you, so try to be calm and confident and positive rather than looking at him and being anxious about his reactions.

How old is the older dog ?

I have just remembered how our older female reacted when we introduced a new pup to her - he was very boisterous and she was like a grumpy granny - not really wanting to be bothered with his games. But she came round quite quickly and enjoyed chasing him round the garden in very big circles (at least he ran very big circles and she sort of messed around in the middle - a bit like lunging a horse ).

Thanks everyone. Oscar is 2 and Ollie (who arrived today!) is 10 weeks. So far so good. Lots of sniffing and waging then doing their own thing. :)

OK, honeymoon period is over already. Oscar has turned on Ollie twice. No harm done - just lots of squealing. Probably both my fault.

First time I was chopping chicken and the dogs were around my feet. Neither was being fed but I think the food smell did it.

Second was over a chew toy Ollie has. Obviously it would be better to have no toys around but it is helpful to have something to distract Ollie from chewing other things - and good for him to chew something. Any suggestions how to avoid conflict over toys?