I need help to introduce a new dog quick - my nieghbours dog Zak a Dobe GSD plus cross needs homing urgently as she is too ill to look after him. He came from Dog Aid Society but they wont take him back. All the rescues are full or so she says. Hes a castrated male about a year older than Morse and totally untrained, but hes fine with kids and dogs he likes - Morse is one of em. Shes coming to introduce the 2 of em tomorrow at my insistence, I said wed try it out over the long weekend and if it isnt working ie someone gets bit, he goes back to her.

So neutral ground, walk em together with 2 adults in attendance then what? OH is on holidays all next week so thats okay for supervision, Im off to get a seriously strong flexi. Neighbour needs to provide a weeks food and his bed, lead and collar. I know about watching food, sleeping areas and toys or chews so they dont fight. Zak loves toys and food and attention, is prone to bolting as he dosent get enough exercise and has never been wormed in his life, oh and he soils in house at times so well need to treat him as a puppy. What else? Zak is the ugliest dog youve ever seen in your life BTW but he is a sweetie and at least if hes with us, the neighbours little boy can still see him.

So if this is wrong, or you have rescue experience, bring it on, please - Id rather get it right!

Hi, Ive got no advice i'm afraid, but just to say good on you :) for trying to help out Zak in his time of need.  Good luck, I hope it all goes smoothly :)
Clair
xxx

Hi just give it a try and see how you all get along, it may take longer than the weekend, If i was you i would try and feed them seperatly at first just to make sure Zak isnt protective over his food possible one in the kitchen and the other elswhere. I totally admire you for trying to take Zak into your home best of luck to you all, as every dog deserves a chance
regards polly_45

No help either, I'm afraid, you seem to have the basic ideas in place and seem to be under no illusions as to what's in store! Just wanted to say good luck, and well done for taking him on :) Let us know how you are going on.
Tracy
(btw - what happened to definitely no more then?;))

Lorelei - do you have a crate you can use?

No Chloe I dont yet - investing in a staffy size one for Stinkfoots rescue staff if and when s/he appears. Afraid events have taken a turn for the worse and OH has vetoed Zak coming here even for a short while until a permanent home is found. I was taken aback I admit - you live with a guy for 23 years and think hes a kind man wholl help anyone, then you discover his weakness... actually thats really unfair on poor Silverback. He is very angry at the girl coming to see me via kids and will not accept the dog in case she sorts herself out and demands him back as he put it " After youve gone to the trouble and expense of feeding, vetting and TRAINING the ******!" and as I said poor Zakkie is one ugly mutt with a tail curling high over his back and a slight beard, which he also finds unacceptable. The last bit I find very snobbish, but I understand his point about not bailing out thoughtless people and setting precedents. Poor Zak just needs to be loved and trained he cant help his looks or being turfed out of his first 2 homes. The best I can do is give her the re-registration fee for the Dog Aid Society to rehome him and ask about pals to see if we can find him somewhere

Dont crate him  !!!  you have the best idea meet on nuetral ground if they get on there then they should get on at home,do not over fuss the new dog as your own dog wont like that  always reinforce your existing dog as top dog dont feed them together at first and dont leave them together till you are sure they get on,my feeling is that if both dogs are good natured and no bitches to fall out over they should be fine.
I get annoyed when rescue s will not accept a dog back we always say we will accept our rescues back if anything goes wrong.
if you want to talk to me email            labrador.rescue@btinternet.com sorry I know its lab email but I did own GSDs at one time so may have some advice to give.

I agree whole heartedly with Mattie. See how things go when they meet on nuteral ground but remember, your own dog comes first.

Feed at oppersite sides of the room with you between. More disagreements have been caused by food than anything else!

In all possibilities you will have no problems at all and will be left wondering just what you were ever worried about!

Best wishes, John

BEFORE you jump to conclusions Mattie - I suggest the use of a crate when you are not around Lorelei, or over night. It will give you peace of mind that they are not fighting or getting into disagreements.

Just read the rest of your post - sorry it might not work out, but my OH would probably react in the same way.

No offence chloe just in my humble opinion

mattie - i don't believe in crating for long periods, I just advise it to avoid any fights, under supervision, or overnight - especially when you have a dog ( like mine) that can open every door handle! :)

Thanks Mattie :) since we are not going to be keeping Zak the best thing is to help his owner find a new home for him so Im looking up rescues on the Dog Pages so she has some other phone numbers. A friend is going to look both dogs over today and see if she can keep one - poor Zakkie is not her first choice cos hes ugly but knowing both dogs, Id say Zak is the better dog. Zak came from Dog Aid and they ask owners to keep the dogs until a new home is found so theyre not bouncing about. Enquiries to dog loving friends met with the same response as my OH and the information that a lot of folks are getting rid of their dogs just now...

Anyway its nice to know I was along the right lines. :)

Lorelei,

It is better for the dog to only be rehomed once. So if you know you cannot keep Zak permanently, he's better off where he is until he gets a permanent rescue home.

Stacey