Quizzes & Puzzles0 min ago
Introducing new female puppy to existing female dog
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For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.A couple of months ago we bought a 5 month old puppy and introduced her to our 5 year old male. Like you I was at first a bit worried about reactions especially as they're both Staffies and know what damage they can do if they turn. As it's hard to introduce a puppy to the home before buying it we went ahead and bought her and I let our male dog say hello outside the front door on the grass. As he seemed ok we all went in after about 5mins. The first week was emotionally hard because our old dog seemed so sad at having this new puppy in the house. Almost as if he was saying 'but am I not the only one anymore' and I did a lot of thinking as to whether I'd done the right thing. They would also have some rough and tumbles and because puppies don't know how hard they can bite she did some damage to the old dog. But after the initial week they had found the pecking order and are both really happy. Oddly it's the old dog who has let the puppy be the alpha dog but he seems happy in that relationship. They play all day long now and sleep entwined in each other and seeing that reassures me that I did do the right thing.
Good luck
Forgot to say that I made sure I gave lots of attention to the older dog and never forced them to be together. I found in the beginning that he would walk off and sleep somewhere by himself because he wanted peace as the puppy was a bit eratic unless she settled.
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Pop by if you want to chat about dogs or want some sound advice. There are 2 dog trainers on the forum who give excellent advice