Introducing a new puppy

[Chiandchiandme]

Hello!

I have a chihuahua. We got her just before her first birthday 6 months ago and she is wonderful. She needed toilet training, and teaching her not to bark at strangers and strange dogs is nearly there now. She had also never been walked before, so that can still make her nervous if she is taken by surprise. She is an absolute sweetheart and we all adore her. She came from a hoarding situation-they had 8 adult dogs and a number of puppies. She has not had a litter. She is quite feisty when defending her “territory” (as the poor postman well knows!).

When she gets to know other dogs, particularly smaller dogs, she lights up. She loves playing and just being part of a little pack. When it is just us at home she doesn’t really play-she loves carrying her little teddy around but doesn’t play the way our old dog did. She just looks a bit lost and sad.

A friend of ours has had a litter and we have decided to get a female puppy. I have read online guides but am nervous about the reality of what happens when you introduce a puppy to a house that already has a dog in it, particularly one that has had a hard puppyhood.

Would anyone be able to give me some advice? I’m so scared that I’m going to upset the apple cart!

Whilst, ultimately, no one on here can say how your dog will react to a new puppy (because none of us know your dog), what I can say is don't ever get a dog for a dog and think long and hard for your reason for getting a second dog (particularly a puppy). It's not just twice as hard having an adult and a puppy...it's ten times as hard because you have to ensure your current dog still feels loved and gets individual attention and yet you need to train the puppy!

If your dog is territorial, then you'll need to be prepared for the fact your dog may well not take to a new dog (and you'll need to get a boy, not another bitch - two bitches is a recipe for disaster and a good breeder would never allow this). You'll need to introduce them multiple times (ideally, although recognise this can be hard) outside the home before you bring the new puppy home.

Worst case scenario is that they can never live together and you need to keep them separate at all times - this is exhausting, relentless and misery inducing.
Ultimately, you'll likely need to return the puppy to your friend - would she accept the puppy back (and will you have a contract etc)?

I foster and have done for years, so I have introduced multiple dogs over the years to my resident older dog. Sometimes it works really well and I really struggle to say goodbye to the foster dogs that she's taken to...and sometimes it doesn't and honestly there no obvious tells for why she does or doesn't like a dog!

What I would say is you've only had her six months which in dog ownership terms really is nothing - particularly with a dog who had a hard start. In your situation I would wait another year if not longer just to get to know her more because it does take a long time for dogs to settle into a new home - even when you think the have settled, there's usually something.

If you're going to go ahead, I would strongly, strongly recommend going for a male.

I don't think a tiny female puppy with a feisty adult female dog is a good mix. At all.

Bitches can (and do) fight to the death.

On a happier note...
We introduced our new bitch puppy to our (quite bossy) older bitch on neutral ground and gave them 15-30 minutes to get acquainted . The older dog immediately took to the puppy: it was instantaneous. The two of them are best buddies still.

That being said, I'd wait till you've had your current dog a bit longer. Give her a year or so, and meanwhile think about how much you want the effort and expense of an extra dog.