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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

How do I know if my dog would accept a new puppy?

30 replies

CantFindTheBeat · 10/03/2024 15:33

Do dogs who don't really enjoy other dogs company ever change? Or is there a way I can test if a new puppy would be okay with our boy?

My dog is 5... a male retriever. He was castrated aged 3.

He does not like any dog in his house at all. He will resource guard and snarl at them.

He's fine in other dogs houses, and fine in pubs etc.

My dilemma is over getting another dog.

I would love to have another retriever puppy from around 8 weeks. My dream is that the new puppy would encourage the 5 year old to play and have fun, and be a pal for him as he gets older.

But in reality, he's not the sort of dog that welcomes others onto his turf.

Any tips on how I could test the water, or should I leave well alone? My 5 year old is my priority so don't want to do anything that could have lasting repercussions.

OP posts:
BellaAndSprout · 11/03/2024 01:06

I just wanted to share my experience although not to change your mind OP as it sounds as though you know what is best for your dog.

We've had Bella our Romanian rescue for just over 8 years - we got her when she was 6 months. She'd come from an environment where, as @yorkshireteapot9 said, she'd had to fight for food and had been attacked by other dogs. She was very reactive to other dogs on walks and would resource guard.

8 years of work and proactively creating positive experiences she is now so much better and we've had friends dogs over to stay (ranging from a weekend to 2 weeks). When they've stayed we've followed some clear rules:

• Always go for a walk together before the guest dog enters the house so they both enter together.
• Remove anything which could be guarded - Bella would suddenly take an interest in toys which had been ignored for years!
• Always feed in separate rooms.
• Manage seating arrangements on sofa
• Making sure when Bella goes to her bed no dog approaches her.
• Not allowing more playful guests to jump on / harass her to avoid any potential escalation.
• Not letting dogs approach her when she is in her den (under our bed).
• Do not leave them alone together (depending on guest).

After a few days Bella would be much happier with the guest dog and even play with them (she has to really trust dogs to play).

We decided to get Sprout (4 month rescue) who arrived at the end of January. Beforehand we got advice from a clinical behaviourist who had previously worked with Bella which covered introductions and the first few days. The behaviourist then visited a couple of days after Sprout's arrival to give us any more advice on managing the environment etc. Our goal was for indifference from Bella towards Sprout.

Bella did not welcome Sprout with open arms and steadfastly ignored her for the first couple of weeks - we continued following the above rules and also spent lots of time with Bella one-on-one (arranged a friend to puppy sit while we both took Bella out etc).

Initially when they were in the same room together Sprout would be in her play-pen and Bella became more comfortable in her presence.

When Sprout progressed to being out of her pen we would supervise at all times - the important thing was that Bella trusted us to manage the situation so there was never a need for her to escalate her 'go away' behaviour.

7 weeks later they are absolutely wonderful together! I've never seen Bella be so playful - she is the one who is regularly instigating it and they play multiple times a day. Bella is clearly very comfortable with Sprout as she will happily lie in her back during playtime, let herself be chased etc.

They are still fed in separate rooms and Sprout isn't allowed to pester Bella etc.

The careful introductions and ongoing supervision has definitely been key - plus, the 8 years of work beforehand 🤣 although I should say that if we hadn't got to a stage where Bella was comfortable with guest dogs we wouldn't have attempted to get a puppy!

Sunflowers098 · 11/03/2024 16:32

We brought a puppy into our house and unfortunately it absolutely terrorised my old dog to the point she was shaking crying and howling and climbing the furniture to get away from him. We sent the puppy back in the end which was so sad but honestly I thought my poor dog was at her wits end and it wasn't fair on her. And she'd always got on with other dogs. Dogs are quite happy being an only.

yorkshireteapot9 · 11/03/2024 18:02

@BellaAndSprout this is the best write up I have ever read (and I research canine behaviour non stop), about the reality of working with a resource guarding dog. Thank you for sharing your (8 year) challenge!
Ps: Love the name Sprout 😆

PointerParty · 11/03/2024 19:21

This kiko pup video pretty much sums up how we approached it

Our older dog is bomb proof - she's not aggressive or a resource guarder and she's very sociable. She'd had no exposure to tiny puppies though, and she did show a few signs of stress at the first meeting (yawning and panting) that meant we took it very slowly before bringing pup inside. Pup is 7 months now and they get on brilliantly, but it was a gradual process and required constant supervision. They are still crated separately at night and all meals are separate. Pup resource guards toys so I have to manage that too.

Our older dog really needed a companion and playmate, and that has worked out perfectly but pup has come with a few behavioural issues (reactivity and separation anxiety) so it's been hard work and it still is!

Introducing a NEW DOG to your dog

This video covers how to introduce a new puppy or adult dog to your other dog or dogs in your household. It covers techniques to use for dogs who do have is...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoN1dwALe6U

CantFindTheBeat · 11/03/2024 19:30

Thank you so much for sharing Bella and Sprout's story, @BellaAndSprout - that really made me smile, they sound wonderful 💕

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