Introducing our new boy to our girl

Well what a surprise. Tonight we're the new owners of a 3 year old neutered Manchester Terrier. We've been wanting a Manchester Terrier or a Greyhound for some time. This boy is a private rehoming after his folks split up and neither of them felt able to keep him.

He came to us with several "problems". He's not been socialised well and was quite "dominant" with his previous owners. He was left alone a lot and not exercised enough. He was attacked by another dog very young and this caused his owners to be wary of letting him around other dogs. So far, nothing there that we can't work on.

We met him tonight with our 6.5 month old bitch Lula. She's full of beans and as mad as a hatter. However, she knows how to behave around other dogs. Watching her tonight I was both amazed and proud. He didn't like her and he guarded his former owner. She displayed all the right calming signals although she obviously wanted to play.

Both at the owner's place and since we have got him home (about 1.5 hours now) there have been some spats with Beau (as he's now called) having a bit of a go at Lula. She's not let him bully her and told him off each time he's tried to be nasty. Most of his aggression has been fear based and just not understanding dog language. She's mostly giving him as much time and space as he needs while trying to contain her excitement about having a new playmate (remember she's just a pup) and not letting him bully her.

However there have also been some really nice moments. They've sniffed noses a few times now and slept in beds next to each other. We have each done some basic training exercises with them at the same time almost side by side and I've had a dog either side of me treating them both.

Beau has tried jumping up and sniffing at the table (a firm no from us) and jumped up on the sofa a couple of times (gently put back on the floor). He's settled in his crate now and Lula has come onto the sofa. She gets her usual "privileges" while he'll have to earn his over the next few days/weeks.

I think we're doing everything OK atm. However any suggestions will be most welcomed.

Sounds like Beau's settling in nicely. It's always a bit fraught introducing someone new to the family, but after a couple of weeks, it'll seem like he's always been there

He's definitely fear aggressive toward Lula and they're not friends yet. We're not "protecting" him whenever Lula goes up to him to try and say hello. I don't want him to think it's OK to be aggressive toward her/other dogs. She does big circles near him sniffing on the ground. Walks up and lets him sniff at her nose. She tries to sniff him sometimes and usually backs off if he starts baring his teeth. If he snaps at her, she'll sometimes back of and sometimes (if she thinks he's being stupid) snap right back.

He's spending most of his time standing in the corner watching her play with her toys and just getting on. He shakes with fear sometimes but also has both ears pricked and obviously wants to play but it just too scared. I've even seen him do a couple of tentative play bows toward her when she's been on the other side of the room.

Hi Sammy max congratulations on your new dog
These things take time, what would I do in this situation?
When the two dogs are together a would largely ignore them both unless there is a real chance of harm being done, they need to get used to each other in their own time. Access to a large room/rooms is a good idea so they are not trapped in a small space

Give some individual time to each dogs away from the other dog.

Take them out together lots if you can so they can get used to each others company while having the distraction of other things, walks or a large garden are good for this.

Don't try to force anything with the new dog, small steps.

Congrats on your new addition Sammymax.

I think Mini has hit the nail on the head - and that is exactly how I would handle the situation. I bet, in time, they will be great pals

Not as many spats today, took them both to PAH and then for a little walk. I'm all for flooding Beau, but I don't want to over do it either. Just sitting on the pavement outside our house was quite an experience for him. We let them off in the local basketball court (fully enclosed - his recall is terrible apparently) and they didn't draw blood so for that I'm pleased. :smt002

They've both been bathed. Lula's first bath since her spaying 3 weeks ago so she was a bit on the nose. And Beau's first in goodness knows how long. His coat is still quite dull but I suspect that's got a lot to do with his previous diet (his poo's are terrible ) Still good food and worming should do the trick.

They're both now curled up in their respective crates (doors open) sound asleep. Peace at last however briefly.

Aww