Best Way To Introduce New Puppy

[ThaiLife]

We have a 1-1/2 year old ShihTzu bitch,

And we are thinking of getting a second

Shih Tzu puppy (also a bitch ) I was just wondering

What’s the best way introduce the new puppy

To our Shih Tzu , is there a good way to go about

It as not to cause any problems or stress to our current

Dog ..? any ideas please ….

Thanks

[Nienke]

It shouldn't be too much of a problem to introduce a puppy to your bitch. What I usually do is I take the pup on my arm and then sit down on the ground with the pup on my lap. Then the other dog is allowed to come and snif the puppy. It depends on how the pup behaves: if it is an out-going puppy it fairly quickly will jump of the lap and starts exploring it surroundings with the older dog usually close by. If it's a more scared puppy it may be that it needs some time on the lap before it dares to come of. It also depends on the older dog. When the older dog is too pushing and the pup gets scared, I will control the older dog, telling it to cool down. Then, when the pup dares to come of I will stand up but still watch the two, making sure the older dog isn't too pushy. It's important, though, that the older dog is allowed to make sure the pup understands s/he is the highest rank. They do this normally by controlling the sniffing/acquantaince ritual.

Once the puppy is confidently walking around and I see the older dog is ok, I leave them alone.

In your case, i would be surprised if your bitch wouldn't like to have a playmate around. After all, she is herself still quite young.

Wish you good luck and lots of fun with the new-comer,

Nienke

[Mobi]

I am sure that Neinke's advice is, as ever, excellent.

As a matter of interest we bought 2 Shih puppies recently, and the reason we bought two was that when we went to choose one at the breeder, the two we were shown seemed inseparable, and that has certainly proved to be the case. They stay and play with each other all day long, and are very happy. It is amusing to watch the little one follow the older pup wherever he chooses to go, although, strangely, the younger pup is sometimes more adventurous.

When I bought the pups, I had an adult Golden Retriever, and after we got through the jealousy phase (the Golden was very jealous of the attention I gave to the pups), they have settled in very well togther, and we now have our little pack of three. Although the Golden does her own thing, especially when I am around, they spend much of the day together, playing and sleeping on each other.

Neinke, your advice about making sure the older dog was not too rough when playing was interesting, as my golden does seem to get a bit rough with the pups when she plays with them, and I have to call her off sometimes.

But the pups don't seem to be bothered about it.

[bina]

mobi, what we consider 'rough play' is not the same as dogs: if there are no holes, no real stressed screaming, but just a lot of noise with eventual separation, then they really are playing....

our 1 yr old lhasa plays with our old (12 dowager ) boxer bitch and it is very noisy and lots of saliva (the boxer)on the lhasa's hair; when he (or more likely she) has had enough, they retreat to their respective corners (the bitch to her sofa, the lhasa under the computer chair or my lap)....

when they get overwhelmed and the play turns to fighting, chairs get knocked down which in itself tends to settle the matter; or a simple : BEHAVE!!! and they both settle back into play or ignore mode.

only matters of concern are usually feeding: two bowls, one bowl, feed separate or together... will the older allow the younger to eat what she needs (more frequent feedings) or do u just leave the food out.... make sure the pup IS getting her food...

also skirmishes over doggy toys: older one hoarding the toys, guarding them, etc....

u will have to see what and how its goes: fortunately for us, the lhasa doesnt hoard toys, and the bitch doesnt either...

bina

[Mobi]

Well they did knock a chair over once in my office, and they all came running over to me to me to see if I would be angry

No, the rough play I am referring to is the golden using his paws to "push" around the tiny Shih Tzus when they are having a "rough and tumble." I can't work out whether her claws are in or out, but the Shih Tzus's don't seem to mind so I guess its OK.

Never any barking from any of the dogs, and they are fed at different times, so no problems there.

The smallest Shih Tsu did chance his arm a few times by making off with the Golden's favourite bone, but this was well tolerated

[bina]

my boxer boxes with her front feet; she hugs the lhasa and grapples him to the ground and then puts her mouth over his throat, then leaves him and he is back on his feet grabbing her jowls etc... claws arent used in dogs, the feet is just part of puppy play/wrestling/grappling... not all dogs use feet. some dogs use more mouth (shepherds etc), some use more boxing, some more just racing around and snapping (the lhasa)...

[Nienke]

No, the rough play I am referring to is the golden using his paws to "push" around the tiny Shih Tzus when they are having a "rough and tumble." I can't work out whether her claws are in or out, but the Shih Tzus's don't seem to mind so I guess its OK.

While it's really play, a bigger dog can really hurt a smaller one, often due to pure clumsyness. Especially when it concerns pups of bigger breeds playing with dogs/pups of the small breeds as the big breeds pups are still so clumsy and uncoordinated. They can easily hurt the back hip or other joints of the smaller dogs.

It is the owner, in abovementioned quote that is Mobi, who can see and think ahead when watching the 'rough' play of the bigger dog with the smaller dogs. As long as nobody has been hurt yet, the smaller dogs have no notion of what can happen and will continue the fun game. Therefore, it is good when the owner tells all dogs to cool down, so once in a while.

In Mobi's case, when you do tell your golden to cool down and she listens, please, don't forget to reward her for being a good girl.

Cats can retract their claws,btw, dogs can not. Their claws/nails are always out.

Nienke

[Mobi]

Thanks Neinke, I'll continue to keep an eye on them when they play.

It's a funny thing about the claws. Of course you are right , they can't retract them. But whenever Cookie wants my attention, to stroke her or play with her, she will gently push or pull my arm or leg with her paw, but all I feel is her soft pad, never any claws. Same thing when she shakes my hand.

So presumably she is careful not to let me feel her claws? Would this also apply when playing with the pups?

[Nienke]

That is very possble. That she just is a very gentle soul.

Nienke (and i bet that a very proud owner is going to smile and look at his dog in total admiration, now )

[percy2]

In all seriousness a pup should be introduced to an adult dog ass first.

The adult dog will be less likely to react aggressively.

Only some cats have retractable claws

Cheers

[bina]

nala uses her claws (uses her toes to actually scratch at us) to paw at us when she wants something; she has short nails but they do scratch; with the lhasa she only side swipes with her pads and 'boxes',

[percy2]

Sorry for being off topic but a photo that good deserves a credit.

Thys van der Merwe

You can see from the shadow and the flash reflection in the eyes just how close he was.

Cheers

[ThaiLife]

First thanks for the replys , very interesting...

Well we brought the new puppy ( called Rose ) home to me out other dog ( called Pinkey )

And introduced them slowly, pinkeys reaction was one of interest but also I feel some

Fear , as on meeting Rose , Pinkey just ran into a bed room and hid under the bed.

We then let Rose get use to her new home, she went into every room

Inspecting every thing along the way, she then saw Pinkey hiding under the bed she instantly jumped at her

In a playful way. Pinkey just ran out of the bed room and hid her self again; well Rose has tried on several

Occasions to make friends with Pinkey , we have tried to stop Rose jumping at Pinkey , as this jumping

Makes pinkey just want to run away. I am hoping things will change and Pinkey

Will come to accept her ‘’ new friend ‘’ Rose, One other thing ive noticed is since Rose arrived and Pinkey

Has come into contact with Rose, Pinkey seems to be what I can only describe as watering from her

Mouth , and the hair under her chin is constantly wet. I can only put this symptom down to some

sort of psychological reaction to having another dog in our home, as she did not have this symptom

before Rose arrived on the scene .

Any Ideas / advice / comments as to what is possibly going on, would be most welcome …

[Nienke]

Pinkey hasn't been in contact with other dogs since she was a puppy?

The running away, hiding and salivation are certainly symptoms of fear. This is abnormal behavior, especially when the new-comer is a puppy.

I would be surprised if Pinkey doesn't come along in time. In the meantime, I would control Rose's puppy-like attempts to approach Pinkey. An option is to keep them seperate by means of a fence, through which Pinkey can see the puppy when unsupervised.

What you also can do is what i've mentioned in post #2, but then with Pinkey on your lap and the puppy loose and controlling the puppy's attempts to jump on Pinkey. Plus, you can make Rose's presence interesting to Pinkey, by giving her only extra attention and delicious treats when Rose is in the neighborhood (you don't give any to Rose, then). An additional benefit with this is that by doing so you also reinforce Pinkey's rank as top-dog.

However, as you said that when Rose entered your house she immediately checked out everything, I get the impression you are dealing with quite a confident puppy. If that's the case and Pinkey is more a sub-missive bitch, it is very possible that Rose will challenge this status when she grows up. You need to be aware of this, as it will be the two females who decide who finally will become top-dog. The owners have to go along with this, meaning by that time (if there is a take-over by Rose) you need to reinforce Rose's rank as top-dog in order to avoid female fights.

Wish you lots of fun with your new addition to your family.

Nienke

[ThaiLife]

Nienke , Thanks for your prompt reply , Yes you are correct ... Pinkey has never come into contact with other dogs

as she lives in a walled environment ( surrounded by Soi Dogs ) So most of her time is spent in and around the house

and large gardens. So Rose Arriving on the scene must have been some what of a shock to Pinkey, its funny to watch

but when Rose is trying to play jump at Pinkey , who is several times larger and older that Rose the larger dog seems more

frightened and wants to go and hide, I will try your suggestions and as you say I hope its only a matter of time as seeing

Pinkey obviously stressed out is not a happy sight, we originally thought that getting a ''little friend '' for Pinkey

would be a good idea, so we both now feel its our fault for the current situation and that makes us both a little un happy .

Thanks....

[Mobi]

I think your motives were excellent, and you shouldn't blame yourseves.

I am sure that you must just be patient, follow Neinke's advice and everything will work out just fine. Just give it a little time.

You will look back on this, when they are inseparable friends, and wonder why you worried.

My two ShihTsus try to find the softest places on my Golden's belly to have their daily naps.

It wasn't always thus....

PS - if you read up on Shih Tzus. you will find that although they are family loving dogs, they do take a while before they take to strangers. My Golden will welcome every burglar that comes in my gate, but the Shih Tsus are far more discerning, and will usually find somewhere to hide. I guess this would apply to strange dogs as well as strange people.

Edited November 4, 2007 by Mobi

[ThaiLife]

Thanks Mobi ,

I hope all turns out well in the end, may be we are jumping the gun a bit ( Just give it a little time. )

we had a vision of Pinkey bounding over to Rose and we would have needed to stopped Pinkey from trying to

boss the new comer Rose , just watching Rose she seems so full of life and in no way scared of any thing

she's already growling at me when I tell her ''no'' ( Oh what have we gone and done ) So fingers crossed

and i'll post how things progress , .. must go ... Rose is trying to bite and pull on the table cloth !!

Thanks .....TL

[bina]

my parents adopted an older toy poodle recently and one of their observations was that 'sparky' doesnt know ow to be a dog; he was never socialized, ever with other dogs, or other beings apart from his owner, so sparky has a lot of issues; he doesnt play with my parents who were used to a mini dachshund previously and went out and bought lots of doggy toys; sparky likes to sit and watch tv with my dad. period. no doggy type behavior. (no fun either i think )...

our lhasa was raised with goats (suckled with goats) and he had to learn lots of behaviors from our boxer bitch since he didnt know how to be doggy polite or even deal. he's come a long way (6 months!) so remember, new animals take lots of time to show their true selves and even the older bitch will come out of it, it may take a while and lots of patience, try not to interfere too much and dont reinforce 'fear' behaviors, rather reinforce play and socially proper behaviors... try neutral areas, but give pinkey her 'space' for when she cant deal... in the mean time, dont reprimand puppy for trying, just try to divert some of the energy from bugging the older dog...

bina

[ThaiLife]

Hi bina..

your comments make very good sense, and we are now trying to just let Pinkey go her own way with out

trying to show too much affection because she looks un happy with the appearance of Rose, my way of

thinking is if we show too much affection when Pinkey is showing stress about Rose , showing affection at this

time may some how reinforce Pinkeys mind set on Rose...? I am hoping that in time they will both get on well

together , who ever the boss turns out to be , your comment about Pinkey not knowing how to be a dog

..... from day one Pinkey has never been around any other dogs ..ever. Pinkey is very happy

to be around all humans , but now she had to deal with her first contact with a fellow dog.

thanks ... TL