I have recently purchased a Border terrier pup who is going to be the second dog to our household. We already have a Westie who is 9 months. They don't mind each-other too much its just that I'm not sure if the Westie knows how to play as she has only had a small amount of contact with other dogs and they have been older than her.
Sometimes its almost as if the Westie is trying to tell me to take the pup out of the crate so they can play (which I do sometimes ALWAYS supervised) but I am still not certain.
My main worry is that they wont get along ever - and I really hope that they do so they can both enjoy the love our home has to give. I just wish that I knew what was going on in that little head of theirs!!

Please help - I don't know what to do

p.s - It seems to be effecting the Westies behaviour too. She is not using her training pads like she used to and is acting weird (see my post in health titled "Westie sickness (not skin related)"

In order for them to get used to each other they need to interact with each other - if you keep them apart all the time they won't learn how to get on. Personally I'd let them have several half-hour supervised play sessions every day, letting the two puppies communicate in canine language together.

Why is the westie still using training pads at 9 months old?  If she hasn't been trained properly and you have brought another puppy in the house who will piddle you will have her confused. At 9 months she should only be tolieting outside.

They should play along fine. I have a few youngsters just now a 5 month, 7 month , 10 month and a 15 month old and they all play along fine together not a bit of bother.

I agree I would let them play together.
Granted my oldest girl was approx 18m when we brought the new puppy in and it took about a week for her to accept the pup following her around and wanting to snuggle up to her but when she realised that she wasnt a threat and that they could actually  play together she let her into her crate ...with her lie on top of her to keep warm and sleep.... puppy pinched all her toys (eventhough she did have her own ) it didnt bother Ellie one bit they are now inseperable the oldest being 2y and 9m old pup.

we often just sit and watch them playing... rolling around and chasing each other and know it was the best thing we've ever done.

Supervised play is the way to go ....remembering to not make to much fuss of puppy I'd bring them into the living room in the evening with me and let them mix together.

Roni

Yes, best to let them work it out for themselves.We used to have a lovely big Irish Setter bitch that was the opposite to maternal! If we brought a pup home she would immediately be sick and take herself off to a quiet room in disgust! It normally took her about a week to accept the newbie,but in the end they would be inseperable.
Totally off subject,this lovely bitch also had fits now and again,but when she knew that a fit was coming on she would rush to one of us,whoever was nearest, so that we could hold her steady until the epileptic fit passed.She used to be really upset,quite distraught to find that her fur was wet when she involuntarily urinated in the fit.

The 9 month old Westie does toilet outside! When we are not in however, we leave her in the house - thats when the training pads are needed. She is really a homebody type of Westie who enjoys outside to play etc. But loves to be inside with the family. She is very good at going outside it is just when there is no other option but to go inside she fails.