I have currently a mutt that I adopted at an animal shelter last year. I suspect she's part German Shepard and possibly part chow or husky...it's hard to tell with shelter mutts. The dog is up to date on all shots, healthy and happy. She was adopted at about the age of 6 months, where before she got along fine with other dogs. Since then she hasn't had much interaction besides playful over the fence encounters with neighboring dogs. She adores attention and she's very hyper and active.
Well, silly (and probably stupid) me accepted a dog from a friend. The story goes that her daughters dog had puppies and she doesn't have the time, patience or space for all of them...knowing I love animals and that the dog would go into a good home, she asked if I wanted to take one of the puppies. I said I would...little did I know she was gonna show up at work the next day with a 6 week old pup. The dog is quite small, smaller than it's sibling which I saw. It's part Chihuahua and part Dachshund...
I've never had to introduce a dog so big with a dog so small...and one so accepting and innocent with one so clumsy and hyper. I let them sniff at each other today, I holding on to the big one's collar, and my boyfriend holding the itty-bitty one. The baby adored the big one and craves approval and attention from her, but I'm not sure the big dog knows what the little guy even is. I mean, we give her squeak toys bigger than this puppy! I think she wants to play with it, but she's so hyper I'm afraid she'll squash him with her paw...and I'm during this first interaction I'm not sure if the big dog was about to snip at him or if she was attempting to lick him...she was so tense under the collar...I was afraid if I let her go she'd change her sweet temperament and swallow him.
I guess I'm wondering, how should I introduce them? Hints, ideas, advice...I'm so scared...and I HATE to have to give this little puppy up to a pound.
Also, something worth noting, I just moved into a new home and both dogs arrived together today...so their on 'uncharted territory'.
Well, silly (and probably stupid) me accepted a dog from a friend. The story goes that her daughters dog had puppies and she doesn't have the time, patience or space for all of them...knowing I love animals and that the dog would go into a good home, she asked if I wanted to take one of the puppies. I said I would...little did I know she was gonna show up at work the next day with a 6 week old pup. The dog is quite small, smaller than it's sibling which I saw. It's part Chihuahua and part Dachshund...
I've never had to introduce a dog so big with a dog so small...and one so accepting and innocent with one so clumsy and hyper. I let them sniff at each other today, I holding on to the big one's collar, and my boyfriend holding the itty-bitty one. The baby adored the big one and craves approval and attention from her, but I'm not sure the big dog knows what the little guy even is. I mean, we give her squeak toys bigger than this puppy! I think she wants to play with it, but she's so hyper I'm afraid she'll squash him with her paw...and I'm during this first interaction I'm not sure if the big dog was about to snip at him or if she was attempting to lick him...she was so tense under the collar...I was afraid if I let her go she'd change her sweet temperament and swallow him.
I guess I'm wondering, how should I introduce them? Hints, ideas, advice...I'm so scared...and I HATE to have to give this little puppy up to a pound.
Also, something worth noting, I just moved into a new home and both dogs arrived together today...so their on 'uncharted territory'.