Introducing A New Puppy

[csshannon]

Hi there,

I'm new to this forum and am also to be a first time Rottie owner in 3 weeks. I have read most of the threads on here today and must say that I have found it very informative.
I would just like any advice anybody can give on introducing a new puppy to an older dog. I have a 2 year-old Shar-pei called "Cookie" who is very spoiled but has a lovely nature....but I'm a bit unsure about how she may react to our new addition.
Also I have to do a 900 mile round trip to collect my little bundle of joy and any doggy travelling tips would be much appreciated.
Many Thanks

[Cherry Heart]

Welcome to the boards! I can't help you out with the introducing of the new pup to the old, but I wanted to say hello all the same. I will be bringing my pup home in 3 weeks also (april 24th) and I am driving 477 miles each direction (954 roundtrip). I asked my breeder about things I can do to make the trip more plesant (for us all) and she said it's her experience that most pups do very well on their own. She told me that stopping every hour or two to stretch our legs and give the pup a pee break would be very nice and other then that most pups will sleep most of their way home. We plan to bring a couple toys and play some games before we hop in the car to tucker her out a little and hopefully we can scout out a couple places on the way home to get out some puppy zoomies. Good luck and I can't wait to compare stories when we get our new pups HOME!!

[Judi W]

The immediate thing to answer for yourself is how does your existing bitch get along with other dogs? Are you bringing in another bitch or a dog?

[csshannon]

Hi there

She gets on with other dogs fine...but can be a bit boisterous, clumsy and noisy if she doesn't get her own way!! We also have a cat that she likes to domineer...she has never tried to bite any other dog or the cat for that matter...but will use her front paws to pin them down.

It is another bitch I am bringing in, we picked a rottweiler as we figured as it gets older it will stand up for itself (also my hubby has always loved them), the only thing is my Shar-pei is deaf, my main worry is the puppy jumping on her when she sleeps....but I guess she'll get used to it...I know there will be a settling in period but was really just looking for any suggestions anyone could give.

Many Thanks

[Judi W]

My concerns would not be the introduction, but rather the huge animosity that you are very likely to have as the Rottweiler enters adulthood. You are right, a young adult Rottweiler is not inclined to take crap but the results are likely to be a bitch fight as she stands up for herself and I'd not think that should be considered a good thing.

[csshannon]

Thankyou for your reply,

And I guess you're right...the last thing I want is a massive fight on my hands...my husband and I discussed this at great length before going ahead with plans for another dog. It's just my Shar-pei seems to enjoy other dogs company so much when we are out...and I know this may sound stupid but she seems lonely when we bring her home and she is on her own. Other dogs have also been in our house and she is very tolerant and playful with them...however, this puppy is for keeps and that's a different matter. We thought of getting a boy...but then we would have to segregate them when she came into season. I guess I'm gonna just have to play it by ear.

Many Thanks

[Bastianboy]

I would highly suggest reading this thread about getting additional dogs:
http://www.rottweiler.net/forums/general-info/43941-before-you-add-another-dog-think.html
I also would worry about a bitch fight when the rott gets older. I would have to say my biggest thought other than the fight and the reason for getting another dog is...why do you have a deaf Shar-pei that is still intact???? If she wasn't intact you would have less to worry about if you chose to get a male instead.
Just my thoughts, hope everything works out well for you!

[Judi W]

Erin is correct. Not only should a deaf dog be spayed, but you need to know the hormones often trigger fights as well. Playing with an outside dog is not the same as having her position challenged and taken away on her home turf by another bitch. If you want a peaceful household, you'd be best off spaying the existing girl and getting a male who will pretty much defer to her rather than try to take her place.

[csshannon]

We have every intention of getting her spayed....but she has had 4 large operations in the past 2 years...the last one made her deaf...and our vet has advised that we wait 6-12 months before she undergoes surgery again.
Thankyou for the link to the thread which i have read with great interest. I have only ever had single dogs.....a Staffordshire who lived to 13 and now my Shar-pei. We are a family of animal lovers and my sister has successfully had pairs of bitches (English Bull and Bulldogs) all her life. I guess when I look at her dogs I think that "Cookie" is missing out, although we love her with all our hearts and interact with her at every opportunity, there still seems to be something missing.
I will research more into this.
Thankyou all for your help.