Introducing relatives puppy to my (not particularly easy going) dog?

[Tumty]

My dog is not aggressive but isn’t really that keen on other dogs in her face and tends to air snap to tell them so. She likes other dogs to walk alongside though.
Relative has a 6 month old puppy and we are wondering if we should try introducing them now, or wait until relatives dog is older?
anyone have any experience of this situation? Don’t want to get it wrong

I personally would not introduce your dog to the puppy.

If your dog is not happy with dogs close up then leave them at home when you visit your relatives.

if they have to meet I would parallel walk the dogs both on leads with a big gap between them but I would not encourage any close interactions at all.

I would not meet up indoors with them for example.

I don't see an issue with them meeting up, but make sure you introduce them on neutral ground with plenty of space between them, with both dogs on the lead so one/both can be removed if necessary.

Thanks for replies . I am reluctant to introduce them to be honest. But relative is keen to try it. So I am not sure if I am being too cautious. Maybe we will try a parallel walk to start with.

Unless you can guarantee this person will keep the puppy at a distance and not allow it in your dog’s face then this is a really bad idea. You risk your dog getting so pissed off that it’s more than an air snap.

Yes I wouldn't introduce them either unless on lead walking at a distance. The problem is if your dog gets anxious/cross and snaps at or bites the puppy there is potential to make the puppy fear aggressive with all dogs which obviously could affect the puppy long term. When socialising a young puppy you really want all experiences to be as positive as possible (obviously life happens and it can't always go that way) but I wouldn't go looking for trouble if you know what I mean. At the very least I'd wait until the puppy was older and had more positive experiences under his belt to be able to cope with it.

Why don't you take them for some on lead walks together for awhile? Don't let them say hello just coexist on the walk. Once they are comfortable with each other then consider introducing them somewhere neutral

I suppose what I wonder is whether an early meeting when puppy is 6 months or so is likely to actually be better in any way than waiting til it is 2 years old? Which is most likely to go well? As I would t want to miss opportunity to try when young if that is the better thing. We will want to try to introduce them at some point but just trying to work out how/when.

The thing is if your dog doesn’t like being bothered and this pup does then that could end badly. Does your dog have doggy “friends” tolerate others or prefer being alone??

She has one or two friends she has known since a pup. Other dogs it depends really. Older dogs who just want a quick sniff and walk by she is fine with. Young dogs who like to play chase she sometimes loves to run around with although I don’t encourage this to be honest with random dogs. What she doesn’t like is the ones who try to initiate any kind of bodily contact. Jumping on her, wrestling her etc. And tries to ignore them or snaps if they don’t get the message (with a relatively high tolerance level - they have to follow her around for a while first) . Very submissive sweet dogs she loves and sometimes befriends. But I just have a feeling that a puppy she may find o,t,t
i suppose I won’t know unless I try it but by then it may be too late to change the outcome

You are reluctant for the introduction. Listen to your gut. You know your dog.

Will your dog benefit from the meeting? if not dont do it.

Unless your dog has a habit of lunging and snapping at dogs, I really can't see the issue with a parallel walk at distance.

You don't need to really introduce them anymore than that if you're not happy to do so, but I genuinely can't see the harm in a nice parallel walk together.

I'm a dog walker and I've taken loads of dogs out like this together without issue.

Have you walked with this puppy? Have you seen how it greets others? Do you trust the owner not to let it leap at your dog?

Haven’t walked with puppy before but think the owner would be sensible

Maybe I should walk with puppy myself first