we just got our malamute mix home, and let her check things out outside(let her potty and such) prior to attempting to introduce her to our current boy. we tried to introduce them outside, and he got super upset with that. after a while we made it in the house where he seemed to calm down quite a bit, but he was still upset and some what aggressive toward her. he settled down even more after about an hour but still has an outburst every so often.

i have been praising him out the rear when he gets close and remains calm even giving her a treat every so often which seems to be working. this is also the same method i used with him as a tiny puppy when i introduced him to other dogs. when he has an out burst of growling/barking(possibly wanting to bite) i redirect him and tell him no in a firm loud voice.

this last week and a half has been a big change for him due to his brother, and my mom's shepherd mix moving out so i am wondering if that would have an impact on his introduction to this girl.

it took 3 days for my mom's dog and a lab mix i fostered to be able to be near each other, and another day or two for me to trust them together using praise more than anything else. i am prepared for this to take a while, but i want to make sure i am not doing something wrong to hinder the process. if any of you have experience with this sort of thing and can help us it would be greatly appreciated.

First introductions should be on neutral territory and the yard just isn't neutral enough. As you are aware, it can take time for the existing pack to accept a newcomer and work out the heirarchy. Some of that you need to let happen--the posturing and such is part of that process. But, at the same time, you don't want to have a dog fight on your hands, either.

I'd recommend taking them on a long walk. Walking together as a pack--as long as you are in control of the walk--has a powerful effect on the pack energy.

Be sure when you are rewarding behavior that you are rewarding the correct behavior. Be sure that the timing of it doesn't accidently reward a negative behavior toward the other dog. In fact, I'm not so sure I'd be rewarding so much as observing and only stepping in to deal with aggression.

Yes, as Frecs said, intros are best done away from home.... but hindsight is 20 /20-- a little late for that, now, unless there is anyway you can take the girl back to where you got her for a couple more days and try again, in a different location. Short of that, do make sure to walk them together every day. That will help them bond. I've no doubt that the upheaval with his other dog companions moving out, and then a new dog moving in can be very distressing. Again, in this situation, it may have been best to wait on bringing in the new dog for a bit-- is it possible to take her back for another week or so?

Okay, so assuming that what's done is done, and irreversible, let me share my recent experience. We just adopted a second dog (another girl, same gender as first dog) less than two weeks ago. We had to go out of town to get her, and we took our first dog (Annie, five years old) with us for the meeting. The meeting took place at the rescue coordinator's house, which was NOT where the new dog (Dottie, 1 year old) was being fostered. We let the dogs get acquainted a bit, and have a play session in the back yard. Although Dottie displayed some aggression and actually tried to bite Annie multiple times during the meeting, we felt confident we could turn it around and help Dottie adjust. Dottie was merely very insecure, and had zero confidence, so her aggression was based upon fear and insecurity. We proceeded with the adoption, bringing both girls home together. Dottie was crated, however, since the rescue had said she didn't ride well (that has since been proven false-- Dottie is very good in the car). Annie sat next to Dottie's crate and "talked" to her for much of the trip home.

When we got home, we took the girls out to the back yard, and let Annie show Dottie where to go potty. It had been recommended that we take them for a walk first upon our arrival, even before entering the garden, but it was raining, and Dottie was very frightened, so we cancelled that. For the first couple of days, whenever the two dogs were near each other, we had to make sure we had a person's body between them, and block Dottie from biting Annie-- especially if food or affection were involved. We handled all attacks with a firm "no," and some chill time in her crate. We also made sure to give her lots of love and reassurance to build her confidence. Within five days the girls had become fast friends, playing and sleeping together, heads touching. I can give Annie loves, and Dottie will sometimes just stay put, watching. If she does come over to get her share, she does not attack Annie, or even growl at her. They are respective of each other's food bowls, and share toys and chewies, no problem.

Some other things you can do, that might help: Take a couple of old towels, and rub one on each dog, especially in high scent areas. Take the scented towels, and place them under the opposite-respective dog's food bowl (for example, I placed Annie's scent under Dottie's bowl, and vice versa). This will also help to create a positive bond between the two dogs. Also, set aside some time each day to simply have the dogs sit next to you-- one on one side, and the other on the other side, and dole out treats, just for being there, and being civil to each other. A treat for Annie, a treat for Dottie. A treat for Annie, a treat for Dottie... over and over and over. Also, is your first/older dog going to be "alpha" dog? If so, when you feed them, call his name and set his bowl down first, then call the girl and set her bowl down second. This helps to establish "rank." Same with treats. Always give the "alpha" the treat first, then the "beta." In my dogs' case, this really makes sense anyway, because Annie already knows all the rules, including to sit for a treat, and Dottie doesn't. So since Annie is already sitting, she gets her treat first. Then I try to get Dottie to sit for her treat. When getting in and out of the car to go places, let your "alpha" in the car first, and out of the car first. Seating may not matter. For example, Annie has always ridden "shotgun." But Dottie can't seem to figure out how to get into the back seat unless I open the back door. I would rather they both get in through the same door. So Annie gets in first, and all on her own, has decided to let Dottie have the front seat, while she moves to the back seat. (Annie is really a very good natured dog). But when it's time to get out, Annie steps up to the center console so she can exit right after me, and before Dottie. It's working really well. : D So there ya go. I hope that helps and inspires you-- Good luck!

sorry i haven't responded sooner with an update. both dogs are getting along great now! yesterday we took them both out for short walks together, and ceejay would walk up sniff nova then wonder away from her. when they weren't out on their walks we were giving them treats like mydogiscute mentioned one to our older ceejay then one to nova. at this point we are treating ceejay as the dominant withing the dog portion of our "pack" due to the fact that he is older and was here first, but i think it will change to nova as she grows and adjusts more.
today was the first time they were really allowed to play together. my only problem is teaching our 55 pound boy to play nice with his 7 pound sister. he likes to use his feet a lot during play almost like boxing. though i think it is cute and am in a way glad he doesn't bite so much during play sessions he hits really hard. is there any way to teach him to not hit her so much, and to be gentler about it when he does at least?
oh since her first night here nova has decided that she will not sleep in her crate unless ceejay is next to her in his. the first night here he would wake up and "talk" to her through out the night any time she would wake up.

Jess, so glad things are working out between Ceejay and Nova! It's going to be a lot of fun watching them bond. One thing you might start noticing later on down the road, after Nova gets a little bigger, is that pack order can often differ according to context/location. For example, one might be dominant in the house, but out on walks the other one is the leader. That's okay. If they are both happy with the way things are, let them work it out.

As for the rough play, for now you are just going to have to monitor it very closely so Nova doesn't accidentally get hurt. If you see Ceejay being too rough, get between them, and initiate a little break. Use a soft, gentle tone, and even give Ceejay a "gentle" command. He'll soon learn that whenever he plays too rough, you intervene. Also, Nova is likely to yelp if she even gets scared, whether she's been hurt or not, and if Ceejay is a well adjusted dog, he will listen and back off. Mostly, the most you can do is simply supervise all play very closely, and be prepared to intervene when it gets out of hand. (Just like with human siblings, lol).

Congratulations, and good luck!

I'm glad everything is working out. As Mydogiscute said, monitor their play and intervene if Ceejay doesn't back off when Nova yelps.

I'll give you an example: I have a 12 year old dog and recently adopted a 1.5 year old dog. The 12yo is arthritic...he has his good days and his bad days. The new dog wants to play all the time and can get a little rough and boisterous. I let it go as long as the 12yo is okay with it--it's good for him to interact and play, keeps him young. Usually, if the youngin gets too much for him (like this morning) he'll yelp or make this sound that says "I DON'T WANT TO PLAY WITH YOU"...if the youngin doesn't get the hint I'll step in...but this morning he backed off...and looked at me as if to say "see, I stopped!" ..he's learning!

[ I got a new dog like a little less then a year ago. I had the same experience. (Kind Of.) It sounds that you are doing everything right. But your boy is not being aggressive he wants to play (like wrestling and rough playing like dogs do). Show him the new girl isn't ready to play rough she is still getting used to her new place. Also, when it was just him and the others they probably had there own places where they would like to be and the new one but be taking that place up. And they are jealous because you are paying attention to her more because you want her to be welcome. They will be best friends and love each other it just takes time don't worry.

Jordan