[6Miranda]

I am getting a second dog next week, and she hasn't had her first shots yet, she is eight weeks this week. I will do that first thing on getting her, but i was wondering about the part of introducing her with dog one, Pearl, on mutual grounds. Because she hasn't had shots, shouldn't I just keep her in? and let her just meet our Pearl in our own back yard?
And does one dog have to be an Alpha dog, can't they just get along together?

[kodysdad]

It's generally OK to take them around like to a friends house, or to visit dogs you know have had their shots, this gets them socialized. Just don't take them on walks or to parks or open grassy areas where any dog could go.

The best thing you can do is invest in a puppy class right when you get her. Get her first set of shots, then go ahead and go to the puppy class. The socialization period for dogs is between 8-12 weeks and being around lots of different dogs during this time, as she would be in a puppy class, will make everything easier down the road. Plus you'll get her (and yourself) trained at the same time!

[wishbone]

Before introduce them physically, try to bring each other a thing belongs to other to sniff so they will be familiarized with each other. Don't forget the yummy treats and let them play together. Supervise them well and interrupt immediately if either one is behaving badly to show them you are the boss.

Make sure to introduce them with each other properly so that they will get along easily. Also, keep a low friendly tone when you talk to them so that they will not be aggressive. Goodluck with your new dog!

Also: Take two old towels, and rub one over each dog, especially high scent areas. Take dog A's towel, put it under dog B's food bowl, and vice versa.

Keep the feeding areas a good distance (several feet, if possible) away from each other, and supervise, to prevent skirmishes, and to prevent one from getting piggy and gobbling up the other's food in addition to his own.

Supervise all play very carefully. When food, affection, toys, or other high value resources are involved, keep your body between the two to prevent any attacks on one or the other.

Several times each day, sit both dogs down, one on each side of you, so your body is between them, and just dole out treats. All they have to do is sit there in proximity to each other without arguing.

The "alpha" thing: Having an "alpha" does not necessarily constitute them not getting along, nor does "getting along" mean that someone is not alpha. Someone has to be the leader. There has to be some sort of protocol. This is how a dog society works. I recommend your older dog be set as "alpha," since the new puppy doesn't know the rules yet, and dog #1 does. This is how it works, generally: When you feed them, set dog 1's bowl down first, even if it is only by a fraction of a second. When you treat, treat dog 1 first-- this will probably happen naturally, if you require them to do something, like "sit" because dog 1 will do it automatically, and puppy doesn't know how. When you take them out on a walk, in a couple of weeks you will notice the hierarchy has been set because they will position themselves in order-- dog 1 will go out before puppy. Same with car rides-- even though my #1 dog has agreed to take the backseat, and let #2 have shotgun, she moves back up to the console when we park, so she can be first out. When we approach the front door, same thing. She maneuvers so she is first in, before dog #2. It just works out that way. And dogs are context oriented-- after the puppy gets older, and can join the older dog on longer walks, you might discover that one is leader on walks while the other is leader at home.

Another thing about the walks: While training your puppy, try to schedule some time, even if it is just one-two times a week, to walk them each separately. This will help maintain your older dog's confidence in his relationship with you (he will know you still value him), and also will help him get the exercise he needs, since the puppy will not have the endurance for long walks yet. Even after the puppy gets big, you will want to schedule some one-on-one time with each dog, just as you would with your human children, if you have/will have any. And you will find it much easier to train the puppy without the other dog vying for your attention at the same time.

[6Miranda]

Have home the puppy, Zana. She came home yesterday. I introduced the family first and took a towel to Pearl that Zana had sat on coming home, Pearl was fine, and checked her out while Zana was asleep. They love each other, the older one wants to play with the eight week pup, who isn't so sure, but a mother can tell - they are bested sisters already!

[CorkyMax]

Can't remember where I read it, but pups shouldn't have shots too early--something about they have immunity from mother and not a good thing to give shots too soon!! Best if they don't get too many at once too. I'm thinking rabies best at 6 mon. and not sooner. These shots are very hard on dogs. Wish you would put words in your browser like: vaccinations/side effects/dogs. If you search hard enough you will prob. find what I'm talking about----Another thing to put in browser: Dr. Jean Dodds/vaccinations/dogs.---and I just found a copy I made on what she has to say and she does say to wait until the dog is 24 weeks OR OLDER and then vaccinate for rabies using a killed rabies vaccine!! And the pup needs to get used to his new home, etc. which is stressful enough without bombarding with those 'da_n awful shots that ruin their immune system in time. Double trouble to give a stressed out pup all those shots!!