What is the best way to socialise a friend puppy with our dog

[florentina1]

Friends have asked us whether we would be able to have their puppy when they go away for two weeks nex August. I need to make sure that the puppy is safe with my own Rescue. When out on walks she is very snarly if other dogs approach her, but I don’t knw how she would react to a dog coming into our home,

The puppy will be 10 months in August and I suggested that she visit with the dog once a month to see how the interaction goes. Then maybe, if all goes well to do a few overnight stays.

Does anyone have any useful advice, on how to make this work, or should I just say I don’t think I can have him? They do not live near enough for us to socialise the dogs regularly.

I would say you can't do it. It's not that it definitely wouldn't work out but the fact they don't live close enough for the dogs to meet regularly will make it much more difficult. Ideally you'd want to meet up very frequently, always staying within your dogs comfort zone to minimise stress to her but how long it would take her to be comfortable around the other dog may not match up with the period you've got before your friends go away.

Presumably if you can't do it they'll also need to organise an alternative well in advance as August is prime holiday time. You don't want to end up in a situation where you've agreed and then it becomes clear it's not going to work when it's too late for them to organise something else.

Definitely not!!

10 months old is a horrid age to begin with, they tend to be very ‘testy’ and bouncy and in your face with other dogs at that age.

You say your dog snarls when other dogs approach her.
So what makes you think she’ll be any different with a teenage dog in her own home? 🤨

I wouldn't as your dog is unhappy with other dogs so it's not worth the risk of trying to manage a strange dog in your home for 2 weeks.

Don't do it, not fair on your dog

Thank you, I will tell them it is not possible.

I would have to agree with PP. A dog that's unhappy with dogs approaching on neutral territory is only going to be more unhappy with a dog approaching on their own territory.

It's a shame, but I don't think it would be fair on either dog and, at best you'd spend the whole time keeping them separate.