introducing a new puppy to our existing male dog

[suzie1time]

we're hoping to get a female french bulldog puppy soon and are wondering how to tackle introducing her to our existing 8 year old male bullmastiff. He's been our only dog since we got him at 10 weeks and hasn't been around any puppys really since then. The only puppy he has seen is while out walking (it was off its lead and was trying to play with him - he showed an interest in playing back with no agression). Any advice would be really welcome. thanks

[lankeela]

Adult dogs rarely show aggression to puppies. Make sure you make lots of fuss of the adult, and don't allow the puppy to pester him too much. Give her somewhere to get away from him and vice versa. Feed separately until you are sure they are getting on ok, and to make sure the pup gets all she needs (and no more!).

Don't let him play too roughly with her, and don't expect her to take as much exercise as him.

Just common sense really.

[suzie1time]

Thanks - you've pretty much confirmed what we thought anyway. We're intending on getting a dog cage for the pup - somewhere for here to be away from him and he can escape upstairs away from her. I'm hoping they'll become really close and that he'll really benefit from the company as he's really affectionate with us but I don't want him to feel pushed out in any way at all.

[lankeela]

A cage is a great idea. Wish more people would be sensible enough to use them for circumstances such as this.

You'll probably find you worried for nothing, and he actually loves her more than you lot!