So we have a 2 yr old dog and are looking to get a puppy in the relatively nearish future (our breed is not too popular so puppies are thin on the ground and we have a few lines we are interested in). The husband asked me the other day what do we need to get for the puppy? (I'm fairly certain we have everything from our existing dog that he has grown out of) we have a HUGE stack of new dog toys (I buy them reduced as they don't last too long!) Our existing dog would only settle as a puppy on a bed that smelled of our cat so am thinking one of his beds would be better for pup. Also he asked how would we manage to the two and we have come up with a plan-due to training and times they can walk for they would be taken out separately etc. Thus giving both dogs one on one attention. I figure introducing them on neutral ground would be best, ours is a friendly dog and seems quite taken by the smaller similar breeds and puppies in general. We managed to introduce a puppy to a cat before and kept both animals happy. It just seems like we might be forgetting something vital. We have plans in place for puppy classes etc. Sorry for the long post but does anyone have any tips (no matter how trivial sounding) on how to happily introduce a puppy into the household?

A cage for the puppy is a good idea so it can have its space and if needed you can enforce downtime from too much play or over excitement

I would agree that a crate is a very handy thong to have. If you need to pop out you can be sure that your pup is safe, they can be very annoying to an older dog and without you there could lose their patience. Also it's a boon not to have anything chewed when you not there to keep an eye on things.

I would agree that a crate is a very handy thong to have. If you need to pop out you can be sure that your pup is safe, they can be very annoying to an older dog and without you there could lose their patience. Also it's a boon not to have anything chewed when you not there to keep an eye on things.

Although I've never used a crate to housetrain, I find them invaluable when you can't be right there to supervise, so yes to a crate.   Set it up in the room where you are most by day, cover top and sides and leave the door open so the puppy starts to use it as any other dog bed.   When you have other things to do, play with him to get him a bit tired (!) and then take him outside to empty and back to the crate with some treats, shutting the door.   He will probably complain but as puppies sleep a lot, should settle down for a nap.   I'd be prepared to move it in with you by your bed at night although he may settle in the crate with your other dog there too, not in the crate!   It all depends on the individual puppy.  Some will happily accept being crated, some won't.

Make sure you correct the puppy if he gets too pushy with your older dog.  Adults know not to attack puppies, but if they see you are in charge, he should settle down with his new buddy.   With an older incoming dog, yes meet off the property, but if this is an unvaccinated puppy, you can't do that so you just have to do as suggested - be there to correct the puppy and use a crate.

Hopefully all will be well, but just as with humans, dogs don't always get along so there are no guarantees that this will work.

Thanks,good advice from all. We were thinking playpen to separate pup and dog when we cannot supervise,hoping to get pup to sleep in living room as our original dog did (he had a cat that slept in there too so he wasn't alone). Will attempt crate training again through games, feeding in there and hope the pup takes to it. Hadn't thought of stepping in when pup becomes too boisterous. We just want to get it right,the happiness of our existing dog is paramount and we do think it would benefit him greatly to have a playmate again (after the loss of our cat). It's always good to get other more experienced people's opinions!

Also wouldn't be using crate to housetrain,with our original dog we took him out after he woke up,after he played,after he had a drink,after he ate,when he blinked! Lol. Puppy pads were used for when we couldn't catch his toilet needs then gradually reduced in number, after he was fully trained for a while we left a pad in the kitchen just in case of accidents-he told us he didn't need them anymore by shredding them!