Introducing existing dog to new puppy

[Ugahunter2013]

I have a 3 year old male GWP. When we got him we had an older Chocolate Lab. They got along great. My lab has since passed and this past weekend we got a GSP puppy (female). What is the best way to introduce them? Last night when we got home we had the puppy in the corral type enclosure in the living room, and I brought our GWP in on leash. He was very interested in the new puppy, panting heavily, etc. We typically bring him in from his outside kennel after dinner and he spends the rest of the night sleeping by our bed, and then we put him out before we go to work in the morning. Last night we let him sleep by the bed and kept the puppy in her bed, in the corral in the living room. She whined and whimpered some through the night but not near as bad as I was expecting. He did not seem to pay much attention although we had the door closed to our room. When we first introduced them yesterday she was outside of corral in my wifes arms. I had the GWP on a leash and he was sniffing the pup and nipped at her ear. Just curious if anyone has any experience or recommendations. They will both eventually be staying outside in separate kennels during the day. Our GWP is pretty laid back and generally very chill. Our GWP is great around my kids and guests, but he has not had much interaction with other dogs besides our Lab. We got the puppy so he would have a companion, etc.

The GSP puppy is right at 8 weeks now and of course very small.

 

[ucfireman]

I believe your overthinking it. Just put them together and watch. If the older dog does something bad, correct it. Otherwise it will teach the little one what she can and cant do.

 

[Railroader]

They'll work it out, and be buddies...

 

[tr21]

the older one was just showing the pup who the alpha dog is. like was said just keep a eye on them for a while then they'll be best friends. if the older one gets too aggressive smack him and show him your the alpha !

 

[WOODIE13]

I believe your overthinking it. Just put them together and watch. If the older dog does something bad, correct it. Otherwise it will teach the little one what she can and cant do.

Odin and Mongo took to each other after a couple days. Lessons were learned, don't drink when I'm drinking water, don't eat my food while I'm eating, don't go in my crate when I'm in it and don't bite my privates. It was just a little snap and growl and Mongo understood. I was ready for a strong correction but it wasn't needed.

Odin was 5 and a little jealous at first, just had to make sure he got a lot of attention.

I also socialized them with as many dogs as I could as puppies, worked great for well rounded, friendly dogs. I added kids into the socialization as well.

Day three playing, a year later a day after duck season closed.

 

[Ugahunter2013]

So just an update. Things have improved. I spoke to Jon Hann, who some people may be familiar with that runs Perfection Kennels. He is a nationally renowned dog trainer who also is a great behaviorist. Jon is a super guy and couldn't have been more eager to help my situation when we spoke on the phone. He recommended that I correct the older dog the way his mother would have corrected him, by grabbing him on the scruff on the side of his neck and shaking him, while growling. Jon does emphasize the "growling" in some of his training videos and it does work. I have still kept them separated with the puppy in the corral pen, but now my older dog does not really pay her any attention. We went on a walk yesterday with both dogs for the first time and I let Jake (older dog) stay in the lead with me. He didn't pay the pup any attention so I let the pup come up to him as we walked and she would jump on him , and even playfully nip at him,,,and he didn't do anything, just kept walking. I did have to correct him when we first started on the walk with Jon's method, so that may have been a reason for his good behavior, but all in all it seems to be improving. I plan on continuing this for a little while longer and then maybe progress to someone holding the puppy, which Jon also recommended.

 

[snookdoctor]

Jon sounds like a smart guy, but your dogs will work it out on their own just fine. If you let them.