Just brought home a 2 year old male German Shepard, introducing him to our current...

[buffygirl7007]

...Yorkie Mix...tips? We just rescued a 2 year old Male German Shepard, thing is we already own a 14 year old Yorkie/Poodle Mix who is not the friendliest with other dogs. We introduced them outside in our backyard. It didn't go terrible however Baby (the Yorkie) growled and snapped at Ghost (The German Shepard.) Ghost doesn't seem agressive towards her though he is fairly playful.

There second meeting however didn't go so smoothly. At first we had Baby sitting on my lap on the couch and my fiance had Ghost on a leash that he held while he sat at the computer. Baby was snarling at first but then she calmed down. However we needed to see how it would go with them both off leashes, eventually they will need to learn how to coexist while off leash so we let him off. Baby was walking around and when Ghost came up to sniff her and play she growled and tried to bite him. They had a small scuffle (he didn't actually hurt her she was growling he was playing) she obviously being only 10 pounds lost...and retreated to the bedroom to hide in her hole. She is now a little scared and hiding in the bedroom we went in and comforted her, she is completley unharmed but very shook up.

How should we go about this again? We can't keep them seperated forever, with her locked in the bedroom and him having the run of the house. We are planning to walk them together when my father gets home. We did this to sosialize her with my Grandmothers dog when we went up to visit her and it seemed to go very well.

Tips? Suggestions?

 

[Brendan]

Walking them together is definitely a good idea. Just like human relationships, animal relationships need to be based off of some sort of mutual interests.

You're older dog will likely think it is being replaced or now needs to compete for your attention. Being aggressive toward the intruder is a way of establishing dominance and attempting to maintain control over the social situation.

My dogs went through the same process, and my old dog even went through it when my sister was born. My dogs connected through walks and hunting, becoming a rabbit-killing team when they were off the leash. Your dogs certainly need to learn to accept each other and see that there is enough love to go around without choosing favorites.

 

[dorothy s]

I am looking for clues and in the hope that I can make constructive criticism and help.
I adore GSD's however I can only imagine how Baby felt when introduced to a large GSD. She must have felt that she was being introduced to a giant.

Should you have comforted her? I don't know.

Are you absolutely convinced that your GSD is friendly?

Regardless a dog which has the run of the house will feel obliged to protect the house. Your new dog should be confined to one room when you leave him, however when you are at home it's OK to let him have his freedom. For now they must be separated when you leave them.

In all of this we all know that Baby is frightened. I also know that any dog which is elevated (like sat on your knee) will feel superior and growl. Never ever elevate a dog when another dog is present.

All dogs are different and there are always several ways to resolve disputes between them.

At this stage I feel that I am throwing ideas at you without resolving your problems. I hope that I have helped.

 

[kami]

Just keep putting them together and they will soon get used to each other

 

[Stephy]

Baby is just being protective of her home. She's 14 years old and doesn't like another dog in her space not to mention the fact that Ghost is already bigger than her. I agree with everyone else when they say keep getting them together. German Shepherds are playful dogs and I doubt Ghost will get aggressive with Baby. Walking them together is a good idea just remember to give them both an equal amount of love and attention so you don't have a jealously feud going on.

 

[Summa Rudis]

Once they work out who the top dog is (and it sounds like they may already have) everything is going to be fine. My money is on the GSD. The Yorkie will be OK.

 

[Hannah The fish]

I agree with Kami. Just like you cant force to humans to be friends, you cant force to dogs to be friends! It wouldnt be fair! However it is possible to get them to like eachother, I reccomend putting them in a big room together, with some toys, and shutting the door. They will have no choice but to communicate with eachother!