Dog adoption

Question
Dear Patti,

I have a male,8 months beagle,he's nice and very social.My friend told me that his dad want to kill his dog.So he wants me to have his dog,his name shy.He's
2 years old.I want to know how to socialize my dog to an older dog cause i dont want any fight. For your info i haven't spayed my dog but the 2 years dog already spayed.Thanks

Answer

Hi Mutyaa,

If your dog likes the company of other dogs, taking in your friend's dog might work out. If your friend's dog has been neutered (not spayed, that's only for female dogs) it doesn't matter that your male dog hasn't yet been neutered.

You can see a video explaining how to introduce two dogs here:

http://www.petfinder.com/videos/petfinder-introducing-dogs.html

The best way to introduce two dogs is on "neutral territory", this means someplace that neither dog has been to. Maybe your friend can meet you someplace with his dog on a leash. It is important to keep both dogs on leash. If a fight were to break out both you and your friend could immediately drag each dogs apart from each other.

Have him approach you and your dog allowing the other dogs to be near each other to see initial reactions. Stay at about 10 feet (3 meters) from the other dog. If either of the two dogs begins to show aggression, let them get used to each other from this distance before getting closer. If they are okay at this distance then it's okay to get a little closer. One dog should remain in one spot, preferably sitting calmly, while the other dog is walked by at a distance of 5-6 feet (2 meters). If everybody still okay, and not acting aggressive, keep keep going closer.

The next step is the actual introduction. Both you and your friend should approach the other, each dog should be close by, still on their leashes. At about 3-4 feet from each other (1 meter) have both dogs sit by your side. If everyone is still all right at this point, slowly allow the dogs to start sniffing each other. After a few seconds you and your friend should walk away from one another, and walk in the opposite direction. Do a U-turn and return to each others proximity. Come back to a halt again 3-4 feet away from each other and repeat the process. Do this several times, each time allowing the dogs to sniff each other for a bit longer period. At this stage it is important to look for tell-tale signs. If the hair on the back of one dog goes straight up lead that dog away and go even slower with the introductions. Watch for other signs such as the lips being lifted, growling, or other very tense behavior. If when you introduce two dogs like this and everyone is still okay you can gradually give the dogs more and more freedom and allow them to play even more. If you can do an introduction like this more than once, it would be very helpful, especially if there is any aggression during the first meeting.

After the introduction, when you finally take the new dog home, don't leave the two dogs together in the same room when you aren't there to supervise. If one of the two dogs seems to be aggressive, keep his leash one in the house. This will make them easier to separate should a fight break out. The two dogs should be fed in separate rooms until you're very sure that they won't fight. This might take a month or more, and it can't be rushed.

Do not force the new dog on your Beagle, but make sure he understands that he has no room to question your actions. You brought the new family member into the home and he must accept him. Even if the your Beagle does not want to interact and build a friendship with the new dog, he must cordially tolerate the existence of the new dog. Recognize a balance between too much roughness and the natural behavior of dogs working out a social order. During the adjustment period, be patient and cautious.

Although the dogs must develop their own social order, they must remember that you are still in charge. This means being fair on reprimands as well as affection. Any misbehavior, regardless of who started it, must be handled equally (and with consistency). When play gets too rough, all must be placed in a down-stay position or separated until calm is restored. Make the rules, and then back them up with necessary action.

You'll need to bond with your new dog, but you don't have to do it in front of your other dog, it will make him feel neglected. You need to give each animal the exact same amount of attention over the next few weeks, so the dogs don't feel jealous. Keep your Beagle confident in the knowledge that he is still important to you. Letting your attention diminish because of the new dog can produce jealousy in your first dog, which may create aggressive behavior and anxiety.  

You can read more about introducing a new dog to your house, here:

http://www.thepetcenter.com/article.aspx?id=3393

Best of luck,

Patti