Hi, we are picking up a rescue maremma sheepdog bitch who is two years old and just been neutered. 

We have an eight month old golden retriever dog and two house cats.

What can we do to minimise any trauma on any of the animals when we introduce them?

Hi

Congratulations on your new Maremma - assuming you are in the UK I am guessing you are getting her via her breeder or breed rescue (they rarely turn up in shelters) - in either case it is worth talking to them about introducing her to your existing animals as it will depend a lot on her history (e.g. has she been used to cats, has she lived with other dogs).

But basically with the dog introduce on neutral ground and supervise until you are sure they are settled with each other.
It would be unusual for you to have any problems with a young female and a male puppy. The cats may be more of a problem if she hasn't been used to cats but you have an advantage that presumably they are used to dogs with your puppy so are less likely to run. Again I would make sure they are supervised and keep the dog on a lead initially to see how she reacts.

Maremmas are usually good with other animals so if you take it all carefully you shouldn't have too many problems. Remember as well that they are quite an independent breed so you may find her to have a mind of her own once she settles!

Let us know how you get on.

Janet

Thanks Janet, have a funny feeling i may have emailed you independently.

Yes, we're getting the dog from Jacqui in England. Checked with her that would be a good idea about bringing Murph down in the car so they can meet elsewhere.

Was thinking tho of do we get them both new sets of toys etc so they dont get jealous? What bout feeding, should we do in the same room and just watch them?

Last question but we are will have to leave them in the house after a few days for a couple of hours so even if they all seem to get on well should we split them into different rooms for a few weeks?  

Thanks for advice, want to make sure we're doing our best for all parties!

Hi Julie

Yes I remember now. Glad you have found an older bitch - should be a better match for your pup than another pup!
Jacqui will I am sure fill you in on her background - I am assuming she is one she bred herself so she will know her background, what she has been used to and why she has come back to her.

On the toys - my Maremmas have rarely shown a lot of interest in toys past puppy hood - they occasionally pick up our collie's toys but lose interest quickly! You will find a Maremma is less toy oriented than a Retriever - though there are always exceptions. It may be worth buying something new in case she is one of them - but I suspect that Murphy will end up with it in the end!

I would separate them for feeding - at least until you see how she is over food - and certainly supervise.

And whether you leave them together when you have to go out will depend very much how they get on. I tend to err on the side of caution with any new dog and either crate them when I leave them or separate with a child gate - either of these mean the dogs are in sight of each other and get used to each other but can't invade the others' space. But I am usually introducing a youngster to older adults rather than the other way round. Observe them carefully. If they are comfortable in each other's space then they are probably fine left together. When we introduced our collie earlier this year (he was 11 months old) he stayed in a large crate when we weren't there until the girls allowed him to curl up by them. It took a few days.

If in doubt separate them but try to make sure they can still see each other as then they will get used to each other more quickly.

Good luck
Janet