Introducing dogs to each other

[Skits]

So in anywhere from 1-4 weeks, we'll be moving close to my boyfriends parents home and my boyfriend (M) and I decided that it might be fun to walk his parents dog, and mine together. It won't be for a while as I'm still working on some issues with my own two, but thought I can get a head start on getting information and advice to be comfortable with it when the time comes.

However, I'm not sure if it's do-able so wanted some opinions about it before risking it.

My two dogs, well Buddy is fine with other dogs, he can be around other dogs and do fine. He's not social with them and won't usually play with them (from what I seen almost two years ago, he hasn't been around other dogs since I got Nitro) but he'll be around them fine and not snap. It just seems like he doesn't know how to be a dog and play like a dog around strange dogs, but he does well with Nitro during play.

Nitro's an APBT/Staff. He does pretty well with Buddy, does amazing with him on walks but doesn't like strange dogs and I'd definitely say he's dog aggressive when loose. However, he doesn't charge at dogs on the street, just watches them which is pretty good I think compared to dogs that will just bolt and charge.

My boyfriends parents dog (Peanut) is a small white mixed breed, he has a dominant attitude and doesn't like other dogs too much but I think he's fine on lead. He doesn't fight with other dogs but he can be a bit pissy to them.


Now my question is basically, if I have both my dogs in full control on a leash, and my boyfriend handles his dog, would it be possible to one day walk them together or should I not risk it? I was thinking of first introducing Buddy to Peanut, and then one day Nitro to Peanut separately. For Nitro, I'd probably introduce them from one side of the street from another and not let them have contact to see how they both react and then overtime continue doing that unless one shows bad attitude about it. And eventually one day both being leashed and walking close-ish. Would that be fine as long as each dog is under control?

Sorry if the post is a little all over the place.

Edit: I also realize that there is a big chance that this won't work and I completely accept not walking them together. I'd much rather risk none of the dogs getting hurt over my own pleasure of walking them together. Just wondering if it's do-able.

 

[*blackrose]

I've been able to walk my very dog selective dogs with other dogs without any issues as long as a.) there is one person for each dog at first to reward correct behavior and b.) the dogs aren't able to interact.

That's actually how I got my childhood dogs to accept a new dog...walk them together. Once my dogs were in "walk mode" they were more concerned about the walk than anything, and it provided a structured activity that they could all participate in without actually interacting with one another.

I would be very hesitant to let Nitro do any kind of interaction with your boyfriend's dog, especially with his history of dog aggression. But as long as you can control his behavior properly when he is on a leash and can devote the time and energy to keeping him below thresholds on walks...it's possible.

 

[Ozfozz]

If you're just looking to walk their dog, and not inviting the dog into your home for "play dates" or whatever, I'd almost suggest just starting a walk in the fashion you said.
Walk your dogs, have your boyfriend walk his parents along with you - don't have him come head on.
The forward momentum off all 3 dogs *should* keep harmony.

Keep control over your dogs, but stay calm about it - keeping nervous tension in the leash can translate onto your dogs which could result in taking it out on the other dog.

If, after a few attempts with you walking yours and your boyfriend walking his parents, the dogs are showing concerning attention for each other then maybe they just simply aren't a good match for walks and lesson learned.

 

[Skits]

Alright thank you for the replies. I'd definitely never ever let them off lead together, both because of Nitro's DA and because I wouldn't have control if anything happened but I am fairly confident walking my dogs. Last year when Nitro started showing signs of DA, I was always stressed walking him since he'd bolt at dogs and then get Buddy doing the same..holding two 60-75 pound dogs back was a bit difficult. But I think now that Nitro's grown and with me working with him on walks, he's so much better. I'll for sure know that there's a possibility it won't work out, though.

 

[poodlesmom]

With the issues Buddy & Nitro have been having with fighting together I would be very careful of bringing another dog into the equation. I'd concentrate first on trying to resolve their issues with a qualified behaviorist. A smaller dog would be much more apt to have serious injury that wouldn't necessarily be as bad if it was done to Buddy. If you and your boyfriend do walk them together please keep sufficient distance between his dog and Nitro.

 

[JacksonsMom]

I've been able to walk my very dog selective dogs with other dogs without any issues as long as a.) there is one person for each dog at first to reward correct behavior and b.) the dogs aren't able to interact.

That's actually how I got my childhood dogs to accept a new dog...walk them together. Once my dogs were in "walk mode" they were more concerned about the walk than anything, and it provided a structured activity that they could all participate in without actually interacting with one another.

I would be very hesitant to let Nitro do any kind of interaction with your boyfriend's dog, especially with his history of dog aggression. But as long as you can control his behavior properly when he is on a leash and can devote the time and energy to keeping him below thresholds on walks...it's possible.

This.

I have to say that certain dogs who Jackson doesn't really 'like' (the bigger, more rowdy, less respectful type) while inside a house with them, he walks like a champ with them. Something about walking.... I don't know, it seems to put them "in the zone" and give them a mission to worry about, moreso than the dog they're with.

Jackson and my uncles GSD walk amazingly together (the GSD is dog reactive). Let them loose inside a small house, and it just makes me too nervous, so we don't do it anymore.

 

[shadowfacedanes]

With the issues Buddy & Nitro have been having with fighting together I would be very careful of bringing another dog into the equation. I'd concentrate first on trying to resolve their issues with a qualified behaviorist.

100% agree.

 

[Skits]

No worries, I'll definitely work with Buddy and Nitro's issues way before, and wait a bit until they are settled. I wouldn't want to mess any progress up.

 

[DJEtzel]

I would probably not walk both of yours together when you do this the first time they see him. It would be very likely for Nitro to get wound up/reactive and redirect onto Buddy, and there you'd be with two dogs and only one of you!

I don't see any reason why you couldn't walk them one at a time with the new dog, though. They never have to meet. One dog per handler is the rule when dealing with dogs that may not be 100% safe with other dogs.

I worked at a rescue for a while and we did 3-5 mile walks for the dogs bidaily. Many of the dogs had issues with other dogs, ranging from known selectivity to unknown selectivity (didn't know the common denominator) to complete aggression, and even in the most extreme cases, I could walk the most dog aggressive dog we had within a foot or two of another dominant male dog - knowing full well that they would tear each other limb for limb if they were ever actually introduced. It was great for training lack of reactivity to prevent issues in the future and hopefully lessen the negative association he had with other dogs. Hopefully it will help the same for Nitro.