HELP....introducing two dogs......

Question
QUESTION: We have a 16 1/2 year old Lhasa Peke mix, Fatman and a 7 year old Boston Terrier, John. My Lhasa is very fragile, has many health problems but is very social towards dogs. Our Boston seems aggressive towards other dogs, barking when looking out the window etc. I got afraid to walk him because of his pulling on the leash & snorting..lol  He is not ppl aggressive.Now the real problem....we came upon a site in Ga. where they gas dogs & we had to save as many as we could. We had a friend in Ga. pull a Pointer mix, we named her Juneau.... for us, who everyone passed by and who was due to be gassed the next morning. Our friend drove the Juneau from Ga. to NC to our vets. I wanted her fully vetted. She is around 1 1/2 years old, neg heartworm, no worms of any kind and such a SWEETIE! She's being boarded now at the vets until I can figure out a way to introduce these dogs.Our Boston is full of energy. We've started really walking him alot every day, as long as no other dogs are around. If another dog came up[especially loose] I don't know what he would do. We plan on introducing the Juneau[spayed female] to John on Thursday, by walking them wide apart with my daughter walking the Pointer & me with the Boston until we get closer & closer.Do you think this will work? This girl is our Christmas miracle. Please any advice would be appreciated. Yes, I know about treats....the closer the Pointer to the Boston, keep shoving in the chicken..lol

ANSWER: Hi Debbie

I think you have the right approach but I would avoid treats at this stage - you don't want to start introducing resources which John may feel are at risk of being taken and need guarding!

Often how dogs are towards others out of the window is very different to how they are in the flesh so he may be better.  Just keep the distance as big as it needs to be and don't expect too much on the first day.  If you can have someone experienced with you who can observe the dogs it will help as it may be that they will be better just meeting on looses leads but don't risk this if you are not able to judge accurately what John is likely to do.

Good luck and well done, I hope it works out for you all.

Lucy

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dear Lucy, Thanks so much! The parellel walking worked good last night...took us about 3 hours. The Boston was very aggressive at first , trying to bite the rescue pup. But he weren't about to give up. We introduced them, they sniffed and played. They acually rode home in the car together.
NOW ANOTHER PROBLEM!!! The Boston keeps humping/playing rough with the Pointer until he's so out of breath.The vet couldn't tell if the Pointer had been spayed or not & the Boston has a real short snoot so neutering was out of the question for him. We will have her spayed if this is the problem.I mean, he'll hump her head and they will roll over biting[play] each other. The Boston has NEVER even met a girl dog before.I'm hoping dominance issue??? Thanks.

Answer
Hi Debbie

So glad it seems to be going well.  I expect John is just very excited about this new dog friend he has made - it may not be sexual or dominance, it is often just very excited play behaviour.  Usually the other dog will not tolerate it but as she seems so calm you may need to help her out!  Simply intervene if the play gets too rough or seems to be going in this direction.  if you can divert them onto playing with toys instead then that would be better as you want them to be calmer in the house anyway (you will soon get tired of constant wrestling every evening!).  you could also try chews if they won't fight over them.

Do watch closely for signs of her coming into season (discuss with your vet) and seperate them if this happens - you will know within 6 months if she has been spayed or not).

good luck

Lucy