introducing new dog to existing dog

Question
Hi Kristen,

My husband and I adopted a male JackRussell/Dachshund mix last July.  He is now about 8 months old and we are going to be adopting another puppy from the same rescue group in about 2 weeks. This new puppy (about 2 months old) is a dachshund mix (also a male).  Both have been neutered.  We would like them to become companions and partners in crime :-)  We would like to know the best way to introduce the situation to our existing pup so that he does not become jealous or experience hurt feelings.  We love him very much and he seems to know that.  He spends his days in our kitchen/dining area (while we are perfecting housetraining) and the evening playing with us all over the house or romping in the backyard.  He sleeps in his crate at night in the kitchen/dining area.  Where should the new puppy sleep?  Should they be seperated?  Please offer ANY and ALL advice as we really want this to be a positive experience for our existing pup, his new friend, and us!  Thanks!

Answer
Hello, Jenny, and congratulations on your new addition(s)! You certainly are going to have your hands full with two puppies! Has your current dog had all of his vaccinations, including rabies? If not, you should probably keep the two dogs separated until both have been fully vaccinated. Most vets have changed their vaccination protocols and are following the new one presented by Dr. Jean Dodds, DVM. You can view this new protocol at: http://www.weim.net/emberweims/Vaccine.html

Your puppies should be just fine with introductions 'cold turkey' since they are so young, but it's usually best to do introductions on 'neutral ground,' which means that you introduce them somewhere that neither of them has been before. This reduces the chances of the current dog showing territorial aggression towards the newcomer.

If you're worried that your current puppy will overwhelm the new puppy, you can use baby gates to separate them so that the newcomer can get away if he feels threatened or overwhelmed. If this happens, do not coddle or try to reassure the new puppy, because that could actually make him continue to be stressed out by your other puppy. You'd be essentially praising him for being afraid.

If you can, trade doggie beds with the rescue group so that each dog can get used to the other dog's scent before they actually meet.

I do not think you will have any problems introducing your pups at all, but if you need more information, don't hesitate to ask or go to www.yahoo.com or www.google.com and do a search for 'introducing new dog'

Let me know if you need anything else!

Kristen