topic Re: Question about meet and greet with dogs in Pet Lovers

Question about meet and greet with dogs

Mom2Dogs — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 22:10:31 GMT

I had posted earlier this month that my step daughter was fostering a puppy. We also have a dog, very mild tempered, does not growl at the puppy but is afraid of her!

The puppy is about 5 lbs, our dog is probably 17 lbs. It's pretty funny to watch the puppy try to play with our dog. Our dog cannot get away from her fast enough.

My question is....would it be safe to take the puppy off her leach (in the house) and let her run in the house..I KNOW she will run toward our dog and try to play with her...I realize no one knows how our dog will react, but I am not sure how to teach them to be harmonious with one another.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Re: Question about meet and greet with dogs

Mz iMac — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 22:20:45 GMT

@Mom2Dogs The puppy should be leashed or crated in your house until his manners toward your dog is agreed w/each other.

I have a furious crazy killer cat. I have to keep my dog in his crate when both are in the same room. Otherwise, they will kill each other.

After 2 1/2 yrs, neither has given the other any slack.

Re: Question about meet and greet with dogs

Still Raining — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 22:27:44 GMT

That is hard. I am tempted to say that your dog has the rights here since the puppy is temporary? In the nicest way ❤️

My guess is that if your dog is "cornered" she will lash out.

Could a more neutral, outside site be found? They both need a little friend training perhaps? Good for the pup when she is adopted too.

We joke that my grand pup is a Covid baby since she didn't get adequate socializing with other dogs. It happens.

good luck

Re: Question about meet and greet with dogs

Mom2Dogs — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 22:43:47 GMT

@Mz iMac Oh my, I hope the dogs become friends! The puppy just wants to play, lol.

Re: Question about meet and greet with dogs

Mom2Dogs — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 22:45:57 GMT

@Still Raining I think my step daughter is going to adopt the puppy, and we did take our dog to her house and tried to get them together outside (both leashed)...same problems.

Re: Question about meet and greet with dogs

Still Raining — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 23:19:13 GMT

@Mom2Dogs wrote:
@Still Raining I think my step daughter is going to adopt the puppy, and we did take our dog to her house and tried to get them together outside (both leashed)...same problems.

Who couldn't see that one coming?? Happy grand pup to you.

No expert here, but I have done senior dog and cat rescue and have had a house full, soooo

Leashes change a dog's behavior. Muddy the waters. So no leashes. Start with a yard since it has more room, not hemmed in.

Your dog knows your daughter's yard from before and puppy isn't yet into territory, so have DD and puppy out in yard and then you two just enter. Low key. In the end they have to wok it out, like kids. And they will, but it is their problem to solve.

Frequency is also required. Have fun.

Re: Question about meet and greet with dogs

Kachina624 — Wed, 30 Aug 2023 01:27:05 GMT

@Mom2Dogs wrote:
@Still Raining I think my step daughter is going to adopt the puppy, and we did take our dog to her house and tried to get them together outside (both leashed)...same problems.

@Mom2Dogs. I'd keep doing this for as long as it takes, forever if necessary.

Re: Question about meet and greet with dogs

Mom2Dogs — Wed, 30 Aug 2023 01:27:22 GMT

@Still Raining wrote:
@Mom2Dogs wrote:
@Still Raining I think my step daughter is going to adopt the puppy, and we did take our dog to her house and tried to get them together outside (both leashed)...same problems.

Who couldn't see that one coming?? Happy grand pup to you.

No expert here, but I have done senior dog and cat rescue and have had a house full, soooo

Leashes change a dog's behavior. Muddy the waters. So no leashes. Start with a yard since it has more room, not hemmed in.

Your dog knows your daughter's yard from before and puppy isn't yet into territory, so have DD and puppy out in yard and then you two just enter. Low key. In the end they have to wok it out, like kids. And they will, but it is their problem to solve.

Frequency is also required. Have fun.

@Still Raining Thanks, I am afraid of seeing fur flying and not in a good way!! We have to dog sit while my stepdaughter is out of town, I am hoping they learn to like each other soon...her trip is in October....we try to get them together 1x a week.

Re: Question about meet and greet with dogs

GingerHead — Wed, 30 Aug 2023 01:47:46 GMT

Puppies with their excitable puppy energy can be scary and annoying to older dogs.

Since they are both animals and unpredictable I'd make sure to keep them apart unless they are being directly supervised. I'd do this until the puppy grows up a little and learns some manners or until my dog is no longer afraid.

I'd want to respect my older dogs feelings and not expose them to a situation where they'd feel annoyed or afraid.

Can you set them up in seperate rooms seperating them with a baby gate? That way they could be together while being safely seperated.

Good luck! Hopefully they become the best of friends...

Re: Question about meet and greet with dogs

geezerette — Wed, 30 Aug 2023 11:15:42 GMT

It's obviously yours to do what you see fit, but just given the little information you've stated here, no way would I allow the puppy and older dog to have free rein until the older dog is completely at ease with the puppy.

Even docile dogs can turn when confronted by an overeager dog of any size or age.

You want them to be "friends" soon because you're looking at it from your perspective. Your dog sees the little one as a threat. Right now, because you keep the puppy leashed your dog thinks you have control over the situation even though he's not happy about it. Your dog is telling you he's uncomfortable and you want to ignore that. If the exuberant pup is allowed to run free and approach your dog with no restraint, your dog may feel the need to take control himself. No telling how that may end.

Were it me, I'd start by walking both dogs together on leashes in neutral territory. Puppy needs discipline and older dog needs reassurance that puppy respects his position as the elder.

I hope everything works out well for both dogs.

Re: Question about meet and greet with dogs

Marp — Wed, 30 Aug 2023 18:11:46 GMT

@Mom2Dogs, I have a medium sized dog that loves interacting with other dogs. When she goes to doggie daycare she is placed with the small dogs because she gets along and plays so well with them.

Brother recently got a now 11 week old puppy and my girl is totally intimidated by her. Puppy wants to play and mine would like to play but they play differently so my girl backs away.

When puppy settles they get along well and will even lie next to each other. Puppy enthusiasm is confusing to my girl and she is only 3 years old.

Only you know your dog's temperament but if she is basically accepting and easy going she is probably the best one to teach the puppy manners, especially respecting your dog's personal space.

Exposure to as many dogs as possible sounds like a good idea for the puppy. Brief stays at a doggie daycare would be helpful.