Car ride or not?? (longish)

[erindakoda]

Okay so Jon and I have FINALLY moved out of my in-laws house( WooHoo ), and now we would love to add a boy to our family.

We have been in touch with both a rescue and with a breeder and my big question is when we pick up our new boy is it too much at once to have Dakoda in the car aswell? More than likely it will be approx 1hour drive home and we are so used to Ducks coming everywhere with us I just wasnt sure if it was asking too much of them both to be in such a confined area straight away.

On the flip side will Dakoda freak out if we leave home without her and then bring a new dog into her world? We are hoping for an introduction before he comes home but Im just interested in hearing any tips-advice anyone has.

Also Ducks is used to having free roam of the house during the day, Jon comes home at lunch for loo breaks, will she or the puppy try and scratch the door down when we have them in separate areas away from each other? Jon can take a pup to work with him until they are settled but I worry that will cause Dakoda to be jealous and its not possible if we rescue an older boy.

Anyone that has introduced a new pup/dog to their house with any helpful tips would be fab!

[garvinsmum]

Done this twice. Done pretty much everything wrong both times. Luckily it's worked out on the second time. It really depends on the individual dogs.

If you are getting a puppy it should be fine to bring Dakota in the car. As far as an older dog, when I brought Bailey home they were fine in the car, Garvin sat in the front and Bailey in the back with me. Even though they had fought at first and fought a lot after they were fine on the 45 min drive. Of course the absolute last place you want to encounter a prolem is in the car. So if you want to take her leave plenty of time for them to get to know each other before you put them in the car together. If Dakota is jealous or pushy it's proably not a good idea to take her.
An older dog it would be much better to introduce them in a neutral place.
Even better if you can get 'neutral' people to handle the new boy at the meeting.
Either way, both are going to be a bit antsy at first.
If it helps, as I said pretty much everything went wrong introducing Blaise and Garvin, the circumstances and timing was bad, they fought for a bit but they have been close to perfect together for 10 weeks now. She is the boss, Garvin does as he's told and everyone is happy!
If your girl is bossy best to try and find a subordinate type male and they will be happy together.

Best to try to get the dog when you can have a couple of days at home with them before leaving them alone together. If they are getting along OK after a couple of days you should be right to leave them alone together, just make sure there is nothing around they will fight over.

[Biff]

How old is your new boy? As Joanne says, I imagine it would be ok with a puppy, but if it's an older dog, I don't think the car is a good place to meet.

[lovemygracie]

I have had this experience a few times. It really depends on the temperaments of the dogs.

To be on the safe side, it would be best not to ask two adult dogs to go on an hour long car ride together right after meeting. It may be okay if the two dogs are very laid back, but I tend to err on the safe side because I really dislike dog fights.

If you do adopt an adult dog, then it would be best to take them for a walk together, or have them meet in a neutral place like at a park or empty schoolyard before you bring the new dog into your house.

If it is young puppy, on the other hand, and your older dog is good with puppies, then the puppy may feel more comfortable going with you if your older dog is also there. That has been my experience anyway--rescue puppies that are shy with new people but good with other dogs really come out of their shell with a friendly older dog around.

Whenever I have brought a new dog, puppy or adult, into my home, I use a crate until I trust them free in the house when I am not at home. Then when I feel sure that they will behave (ie not destroy anything), use the dog door, and get along with my other dog, I give them their freedom.

Good luck and congrats on getting a new baby!! I love having two.

[erindakoda]

Thanks for your replies. We are so excited that we will soon have a brother for Dakoda we are just worried about her reaction is all. She is very much our little girl ( just this morning I woke up with her head on my pillow all snuggled up between us! ) and I just want to make sure that this is painless for her.

We are expecting her to be a little put out having to share us and her house so I really do appreciate the advice.

[Slobberchops]

I have no advice for you,but want to say congratulations on getting another furbaby