We collect our long awaited pup on Saturday morning and I'm looking for advice.
I have an 18 month neutered Golden Retriever (Sam) who is fine with other dogs although can be a bit jumpy (but not at all nasty) near small breeds. The pup is a Golden Retriever bitch - 8 weeks (Phoebe)
I am visiting her tomorrow (about 6th visit :D) and will in drop a piece of fleece to get nice and smelly to bring home with us as a comforter for her. After the first few visits Sam was sniff sniff for ages at me but last few times hasn't paid a lot of attention - seems used to her smell now :)
The breeder lives about 3 mins away in the car from me and my plan is (agreed with breeder) to take Sam with us when we go to collect Phoebe on Sat and for their 1st introduction to be in a fenced in paddock at the breeders place and for them then to both come home in car - her on knee.
Would you keep him on a lead for introduction or not ? Her first taken into our house without him ? Any tips gratefully received - I really do want them to be fine from day one for both their sakes.
Thanks in anticipation, Sara

I introduced Nell to Harris after a 2 hour car journey, Nell was in the back of the car and Harris was on my knee so she could at least see him. I basically put Harris down in the garden, Nell off the lead and let them get on with it. I think Harris was a little overwhelmed, he did try to hide a couple of times but apart from that there were no problems. I tried not to get too involved and it seemed to work. He just ran around with Nell sniffing him and he'd rollover and try to play with her.

I'm sure there are many other ways/opinions of introducing new additions, this is just what I did and it worked for me. :-)

Enjoy :D

Oh Claire that sounds so great to me. They do sound happy. We want another dog now Barney is 6 1/2months and by the time we have a good look into what sort to get he should be just about the right age and I hope he gets on well with his new bro/sis. I thought people only got broody over babies but now we have our pup I want another one !!! Regards Gina.

It is great having 2 dogs but definately hard work at times. I made sure that I never left Nell and Harris together unsupervised just incase there was any jealousy, thankfully there wasn't. It wasn't all plain sailing, it wasn't always easy and as Harris got older and bigger I found that I had to step in sometimes if play got a bit rough although I try to teach them that playtime is for outside not in. The hardest part I have found and still do sometimes is knowing when to step in if they are becoming too boisterous after all I am boss bitch with the final say but sometimes I do wonder if I'm stepping in too much.

Gina not wanting to put a dampener on things, as I have been broody when i have had a new baby (both human and canine). It is very tempting to waqnt another when the pup is 6 to say a year old as things are progressing nicely with training. Be warned you have yet to reach the terrible teens, like with humans this can be a difficult time of rebellion and stroppiness, or you may be lucky and sail through to adult hood.

I would recommend that you do not get the second dog until Barney is two years old. That means wait until he is 18 months old before starting the search for a new brother or sister, so that by the time you get hin/her you will have a nicely brought up dependable adult able to set a good example for the new addition, making it much easier to concentrate on the new pups training. A well behaved older dog can be such an ally to you with a hew pup! :D

Oh dear you are probably right LOL. I am probably thinking that they will get on better not having a bigger age gap which is probably daft. I have been thru a list of 73 breeds and am still not sure what to get so I think it may take a lot of time to make sure we get the right dog. It isnt as easy as it looks is it and I dont want to get it wrong!!! Regards Gina
PS I am being growled at at the moment cos the pup wants to go to bed and he keeps running to the bottom of the stairs and running back..so better do as he says!!

Thanks Claire - sounds like we'll just let them get on with it and only intervene if too out of hand. Sam is such a softie I just hope he puts her in her place if needed - like hanging on his tail by those little sharp teeth and getting dragged round the garden :D
Anyone else any tips please ??
Sara

If sam is a softy as you say, you shouldn't have any problems, I have recently introduced my new mal puppy (Male) to my 11 year old Gsd(Bitch), She also is a big softy, and as long as you dont panic, and tell him he is a good boy, when he is being good with the pup you should be fine. My mal pup is now the boss in our house, he takes all her toys and bones from her, and she lets him. Good luck, Enjoy them both.

Regards Jane.

Thanks Jane, I'll know how it goes in less than 24 hours :D Sam is a soft lad so as you say all should be fine - just want to make sure I get it right from the start so I don't have to post loads of questions on here about how to sort it out !!! I've had dogs for quite a few years now but never 2 together. Went to see the pup yesterday again and Sam had a bit of a sniff when I got home but does seem used to the smell now so hopefully when he meets her he'll be pleased she's finally here :)
Had a lay in today to make the most of it before the quick rush downstairs and out the door every morning so she gets the drift where she should go to the toilet !!! Just hope the weather picks up a bit as I don't relish standing in the garden in my nighty in 60 mile an hour winds :D
Sara :)