Introducing a puppy to an older dog

Question
I have a 6 year old Maltese x shitzu desexed female.  She has been the only dog in that time.  We have just introduced her to a 8 week old Pomeranian male.  She is constantly barking and growling at the pup yet her tail is always wagging.  The problem is the pup growls and barks back and makes the situation worse.  Can you give me some advise.  They have only meet in the last day.
Thankyou
Karen  

Answer
The best way to introduce two dogs is in a neutral area, such as a park, so that there are no territorial issues involved. Failing that, I always keep the newcomer in a crate and let the homebodies meet the newcomer through the safety of a crate so that the new dog doesn't get hurt. Once all the commotion dies down, I open the crate door and let them meet close and personal. This can take a short time in the case of a puppy, a few hours in the case of most bitches, and a few days in the case of a new male (since I have several very dominant dogs/males here.)

I have a new 13-month-old male here that I will be showing. Initially, I had his crate in one of the bedrooms. He did get to meet my alpha male early on since that dog also sleeps in that room. The second day I put him out in the backyard with four youngsters of a similar age so that they could play for awhile; one, the most dominant, had to be brought back inside as he wanted to constantly hump that male and I was afraid a fight might break out. Today, the third day, I have moved the crate next to my computer desk, and now everyone can meet him through the crate door. (They have already been smelling him out in the yard.) The only dog who even seemed interested was that dominant youngster I mentioned previously. Otherwise, he is being ignored... no one even barked at him! Great progress, as far as I am concerned. I might try opening the crate door after a bit.

I would correct those dogs for barking at each other. My newcomer was initially barking at the few dogs he got to meet through his crate door the first day, and I hollered at him, as I did the couple of mine who barked back. Aggressive behavior should not be allowed. It wouldn't be allowed with human visitors; it should not be allowed with dogs either.

Karen