Havanese Forum banner

Introducing adult dog to new puppy

6K views 22 replies 7 participants last post by  Melissa Woods 
#1 ·
Oliver loves dogs. But he’s also the only dog, super attached to us. I want this introduction to go smoothly and for him not to feel jealous or even left out, with all the work surrounding a new puppy. We’ll make sure to acknowledge him first, take him on his walks, etc. I brought the shirt home I was wearing and the new puppy was snuggling against and licking while I was holding her. He seems very interested in sniffing it. Any other tips?
 
#2 ·
We really had no problem with either of our introductions, but then we have very stable, friendly dogs. When we brought each puppy home, the puppy was first placed in an expen for introductions. When it was pretty clear that everyone was going to be friendly, we lifted the puppy out so they could meet on the kitchen floor.

In Pixel’s case, Kodi was delighted the first day. By the second day he was wondering when she was leaving. LOL. We had to be very careful to make sure that not only did Kodi get plenty of attention (that was easy, because of all our training time) but that he ALSO had ways to escape from her, because she was relentless. She would hang from his ears and even his lips with her needle sharp teeth, and he would only whimper and ask for help. We really had to protect him from her until “puppy license” was over. Then she bit him one time too many, and he turned around and yelled in her face. Just once. She rolled over on her back, said “Don’t eat me! I’m a puppy!” And that was it. From then on, their relationship normalized.

With Panda, we introduced her the same way, except she got “checked out” by Kodi and Pixel together, which I think was a bit intimidating! OTOH, she had a built-in playmate with Pixel, because they were only 8 months apart. Kodi had learned his lesson with Pixel, and didn’t take the constant abuse from Panda. If she got rough, he’d give a little growl under his breath, and she’d run off to find Pixel to play with.

But there was NEVER any agression between the old dog(s) and the newer puppy. Here are some photos of Panda first meeting Kodi and Pixel. I thinkk it’s really cute how they are so clearly doing inviting little play bows toward her, while she’s not quite sure about them!
 

Attachments

#3 ·
We really had no problem with either of our introductions, but then we have very stable, friendly dogs. When we brought each puppy home, the puppy was first placed in an expen for introductions. When it was pretty clear that everyone was going to be friendly, we lifted the puppy out so they could meet on the kitchen floor.

In Pixel's case, Kodi was delighted the first day. By the second day he was wondering when she was leaving. LOL. We had to be very careful to make sure that not only did Kodi get plenty of attention (that was easy, because of all our training time) but that he ALSO had ways to escape from her, because she was relentless. She would hang from his ears and even his lips with her needle sharp teeth, and he would only whimper and ask for help. We really had to protect him from her until "puppy license" was over. Then she bit him one time too many, and he turned around and yelled in her face. Just once. She rolled over on her back, said "Don't eat me! I'm a puppy!" And that was it. From then on, their relationship normalized.

With Panda, we introduced her the same way, except she got "checked out" by Kodi and Pixel together, which I think was a bit intimidating! OTOH, she had a built-in playmate with Pixel, because they were only 8 months apart. Kodi had learned his lesson with Pixel, and didn't take the constant abuse from Panda. If she got rough, he'd give a little growl under his breath, and she'd run off to find Pixel to play with.

But there was NEVER any agression between the old dog(s) and the newer puppy. Here are some photos of Panda first meeting Kodi and Pixel. I thinkk it's really cute how they are so clearly doing inviting little play bows toward her, while she's not quite sure about them!
Thank you so much! Breeder was very encouraging, said she'd never seen an older dog of hers not accept a puppy in 20 years of breeding. I definitely don't plan on introducing them on say, my bed, first. He'll still get to sleep with us, and if she does it will be way later. My room is his safe space from where the kids are crazy. He loves dogs, is so sweet to everyone. I just want to be prepared. I'd never considered the fact she'd go all puppy daggers on him, too lol
 
#6 ·
And those pictures are ADORABLE! I'm so excited!
I absolutely ADORE the one of both Pix (in her still-long hair) and Kodi in downs, trying to coax her over to them. Pixel, who is now smaller than Panda, looks so BIG in comparison!
 
#7 ·
Also wanted to add... I've also never heard of a Havanese not accepting another Havanese into the family. Maybe it happens, Pam and Tom King would know! But in general, this is a breed that loves others of their own kind! It always amazes me when we have Havanese play dates at our house. And that's not puppies, that's adult dogs, many of whom have never met. We always have a couple of ex-pens set up IN CASE there are problems, and people are encouraged to leave girls in heat home. But we almost NEVER have had to use the ex-pens. They just all sniff butts, sniff noses, then run around together. The REALLY shy ones sit under their owner's chairs and the others respect that.
 
#8 ·
That’s funny you mentioned females in heat. She said that’s the only time she’s had trouble—with those hormones lol. But said Oliver would get along great with a female or male. Plus, we keep in touch because she’s so amazing, and sadly she’s moving to Kansas. She’s like, oh you have to see this girl! And of course, I was planning to get my next pup from her in say, two yrs. but I’d have to make this huge drive. Even now, I wasn’t planning on a puppy, but we met her and even my husband said, “welp, that puppy has totally decided you’re her mama. we need her” LOL
 
#9 ·
That's funny you mentioned females in heat. She said that's the only time she's had trouble-with those hormones lol. But said Oliver would get along great with a female or male. Plus, we keep in touch because she's so amazing, and sadly she's moving to Kansas. She's like, oh you have to see this girl! And of course, I was planning to get my next pup from her in say, two yrs. but I'd have to make this huge drive. Even now, I wasn't planning on a puppy, but we met her and even my husband said, "welp, that puppy has totally decided you're her mama. we need her" LOL
I was NOT looking for a puppy AT ALL when Panda waltzed into our lives either. Sometimes it is meant to be! <3

ShamaMama reminded me about a video I had TOTALLY forgotten about. Here is Panda first meeting Kodi and Pixel!:
 
#11 ·
Denver met Keeper at the breeder’s, but I posted in my thread what I did from there. Basically had them together unless one or the other needed a break and weren’t being left alone. There were a few iffy times at first (mostly when Denver was tired), but they figured it out. After about 4 days, Denver started getting a bit more snarky and had the “is he going home soon?” look. But they figured it out.

Keeper has just now lost his “puppy pass”, so Denver is being less forgiving about rude puppy behaviour, so it’s a bit louder around here - it’s just a teaching phase :)
 
#16 ·
LOL! I fo talk to my dogs alot! And I guess I could tell that although she wanted to make friends, she WAS felling a little out of her depth!
 
#17 ·
I can’t believe how calmly Pixel and Kody are both greeting her! Maybe I should be more concerned about how excited mine gets about meeting other dogs.

It was suggested to us that we introduce a new puppy to our current Havanese in a neutral location since we never have other dogs in our house. Did you consider it the first time around, or was it not a concern since Kody spent so much time around other dogs? I assume with Panda there wouldn’t be a need since you already have two Havanese sharing space.
 
#18 · (Edited)
I can't believe how calmly Pixel and Kody are both greeting her! Maybe I should be more concerned about how excited mine gets about meeting other dogs.

It was suggested to us that we introduce a new puppy to our current Havanese in a neutral location since we never have other dogs in our house. Did you consider it the first time around, or was it not a concern since Kody spent so much time around other dogs? I assume with Panda there wouldn't be a need since you already have two Havanese sharing space.
Both Kodi and Pixel had been socialized to many, MANY other Havanese from the time they were tiny puppies. In our house and elsewhere. I really had no concerns how they would behave ih a Havanese puppy. Pixel was actually having a VERY hard time with larger dogs that she didn't know at that age, but she never had trouble with other Havanese. (as you can see ;) )

Also, in Pixel's case, bringing her home was a LONG trip. I didn't get home for NC until after dark. (2 hr drive from the King's to the airport, then all the time in the airports, plus the flight, then another hour and a half drive home from the airport in Boston). I really didn't have the bandwidth to orchestrate a meeting someplace else. These are little dogs. You are going to have an expen anyway. It is easy enough to put the puppy in the expen and just limit contact to through the wire until everyone's excitement level comes down to a reasonable level. And when you think it's Ok to introduce without the expen, the minute the excitement level is getting to hih, you cheerfully separate them again. It's nobody's fault, nobody did anything "wrong"... hugs all around, and some cookies WHEN everyone has settled down. Meals NEAR each other, but ALWAYS separated, and before long, even if it's not the first day, they will do fine together.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top