[nagdu] Question: Introducing little dog to new guide dog.

[Cindy Ray]

Having the dogs meet outside as suggested is what I've always done. Then I brought the new dog into the house and had it explore while my husband or someone else stayed outside with the other one. I don't know how you relieve the little dog, but I guess my feeling is that you will want to give your prime attention to the new do for a while, but certainly, the little dog will need your attention as well. The little dog is likely to be more jealous than the new one. I probably wouldn't take the little dog for walks too much myself. When you say take together vs. separate, do you mean the two of you or do you mean you taking both. So far, for me taking both isn't working. I actually have three dogs. This time, though, I didn't have the other two dogs until after Fisher had been with us for a while, I guess it was almost two years. They got on fine though. I think it will work with minor adjustments.

Someone did say that the school will give you advice, and that's true.

Cindy Lou

On Sep 10, 2012, at 8:18 PM, Tonia wrote:

> Hi guys!  I hope everyone had a good Monday.  I'm a new member and I
> introduced myself last week.  I go to get my first guide dog two weeks from
> today; and I'm hoping to get some advice on how to handle introducing our
> pet dog to the new guide dog.
> 
> 
> 
> My husband and I don't have any kids but we do have a little 4-1/2 year old
> Maltese named Belle who weighs about 10 pounds.  She's incredibly sweet,
> gentle and loving; but she is our spoiled rotten baby who's used to being
> the only child, so to speak.  She's very attached to both of us but she's
> definitely a Mama's girl; and always in my lap or following me around
> everywhere I go.  So, I'm worried about how she's going to deal with Mama
> first being gone for almost a month and then coming home with another dog
> that's her new best buddy who gets to go everywhere with her.  At the same
> time I wonder if the new dog will be jealous of Belle.
> 
> 
> 
> So, some of my questions for those of you who may have been in a similar
> situation are:
> 
> 
> 
> What's the best way to introduce the two dogs when I first get home?  Should
> I have them meet outside in the yard rather than in the house?
> 
> 
> 
> How should I initially handle giving them both my attention?  Make a point
> of spending one-on-one time with each of them verses having play/snuggle
> time with both of them?
> 
> 
> 
> How about taking them out to park and/or on walks?  Together or separate?
> 
> 
> 
> I'd much appreciate any words of wisdom you'd be willing to share.  I'd also
> like to hear examples of what you all have found to work well or perhaps not
> so well in your experiences.  I know all dogs and situations are different
> but it would still be helpful to get some ideas from others who have been
> there.  I have no doubt both dogs will get plenty of love and attention; as
> my husband and I are both serious dog lovers. 
> 
> 
> 
> Thanks a bunch,
> 
> 
> 
> Tonia
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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