how do i introduc a small dog to large dogs?

Question
hey,
i have 4 extra large breed dog, i am geting a female papillon and i need to know how to introduce them. thank you.

Answer
Hi Cheyenne;
Are the dogs you have male or female? If female, are they spayed, if male, are they neutered?
If the Papillion a puppy or an adult dog?
If she is adult, is she spayed?
Spayed and neutered dogs and cats more readily accept others of same sex. They don't compete anymore.
Are the dogs you have socialized to accepting other dogs?
If you know your dogs get along with other dogs,and if you have seen them with a puppy, and they reacted well to it, I doubt you will have a problem.
The size of the dogs doesn't make any difference, it is the personality, and whether or not they are used to being around other dogs.
If the Papillion is a baby, it will probable be fine with your dogs, but if it is an adult dog, or several months old, it is important to find out how it gets along with other dogs.
If it is not used to other dogs, or to big dogs, it may be a little afraid, and try to get it's bluff in, by barking and attacking. You know to show the big dogs, I am really tough, just in case you want to try to hurt me.
This can precipitate a good brawl, if the other dogs don't apprecite such behavior.
It is better if you can bring the Papillion around a couple of times, and under controlled circumstances,where the dogs can't actually come together. With a fence between them, or someone who can keep control of the bigger ones, and someone holding the little one, so if they want to fight, they can't actually get to each other.they should be able to sniff noses. Get a good scent of each other, and if one is going to attack they other, that is when they will try.
They sniff, and they get a thorough knowledge of each other. They can tell more by sniffing, than we can learn about each other, after reading the other's biography.
Just have a conroled situation, where they are all safe, and introduce gradually. A few visits beforehand would tell you a lot. After meeting for the first time, you could tell how they greeted the Papillion on the next visit, if they were tail-wagging happy to see it, or if they just didn't seem to care for it.
Make sure they don't see the new one as a competition for your affections.
Sometimes it just doesn't work out, and sometimes it goes so smoothly, you wonder whay you ever worried.
Same if you want to introduce a cat to them.
I brought an adult cat, who had never been around a dog, to my 4 dogs, last Christmas. I had to take my sister's cat, when she passed away.
My dogs were nor used to a cat. They had only been exposed to cats they could see through our back fence.
We put the cat in a safely caged inclosure where she could get out when she wanted to, and she and our dogs could sniff noses through the cage. They sniffed a few times, and sat at her cage, they were all just staring at each other. There was a space she could get out, but none of the dogs could get in. Then she felt safe to come out, she came out and they all gathered around her, licking and nuzzling. They adore that cat, and she adores them.
They baby her, and she acts like such a gentle little delicate thing, then she romps with them, and gives as good as she gets.
We have, dogs, a cat, and birds. Nobody fight nobody.
So much for natural born enemies. My dogs are used to other dogs coming into our home. I foster for some rescue groups, so mine are used to all sizes and ages of dogs being guests here. The cat was the only thing really new to them. 3 of our dogs are rescue dogs we liked so much, we kept.
Just be aware of what can transpire, and take steps for all of their safety, and see how the sniffing goes.
If it is a baby pup, and your take to it, then be watchful for a little jealousy between your dogs. One or more may be a little more possive of a puppy, and not like the other dogs sharing it. Just be ready to play peace maker.
Let me know how the first visit goes.
Charlotte
Charlotte