Small dog is afraid of new big dog

Question
I have had a Chihuahua, Daisy, for the last six months, and she has been the only dog in the house.  I brought home a lab mix, Sassy, that is her same age, but is quite a bit bigger then Daisy.  Daisy is very afraid of Sassy and will bark at Sassy and even try to bite her if she gets to close.  How can I get these two to get along?

Answer
I am going to guess that Daisy was either never socialized around other larger dogs or that she was hurt/scared by one at some point in her life. She should eventually come around with time, but you must be sure that Sassy never does anything to reinforce Daisy's opinion that the Devil has arrived<G>, although I do have my doubts with a dog named "Sassy"<G>. That doesn't make her sound much like a meek, mild dog.

I would do a lot of "quiet time" when the two dogs are together, like when you are watching television.... with Daisy in your lap or next to you and Sassy at your feet. Normally I believe in letting dogs have the right to tell each other off, but if Daisy is in your lap or next to you, you do have the right to interfer and tell her to knock it off as that behavior is not to be tolerated when the dogs are close to you. With luck, this reinforced behavior will hopefully expand when the dogs are further away from you.

Karen