Introducing a new pup to 3 yr old dog

Hi

I currently have a 3 year old male pit/lab mix. i am looking into getting another puppy. what is the best way to introduce them and what sex is best to choose

 

When choosing your new pup, I would take the older dog with you. Let him see the pups and see if he "chooses" one himself. Sometimes these matches work out better. You can also see if getting a pup may not work at all with your current dog.

When introducing the new pup, do it in a neutral place first. When I bring home foster dogs, I let everyone meet on leash in the front yard first. Keep all leashes loose and don't let them get tangled. One person per dog helps with this. If all goes well, I then bring them in the backyard and if I feel it is safe, I take the leashes off. Last is the house. Sometimes I will let the new dog in first and let him explore and sniff around, and then let the resident dogs back in.

Another friend of mine introduces puppies by taking them out back and sitting in a big lawn chair with the puppies in her lap. She lets her dogs play with each other and come and investigate the pups. When all seems well, she will let them all in the house.

Some people will bring the new pup into the house in a crate and let the dogs get to know each other through the bars. This only works if the pup doesn't get upset about being in the crate, or is not one of those dogs that gets defensive when in a crate.

As for the sex of the new dog, it's really an individual thing. Some would say it's a better bet to have a male and a female (assuming both are spayed/neutered) but of course two males or two females can get along, too - it just depends on each dog.

Since your dog has some pit in him, I would be very careful to be sure he gets along with other dogs before bringing a pup into the house. And with ANY new puppy, never leave it unattended with the big dog - accidents can and do happen.

 

Ditto to what Jimiya said. I have hearsd its better to have male/female than 2 same sex dogs.

good luck

 

And another ditto from me.

Ive always introduced them on neutral ground a little away from the house, not with all the dogs Ive had, only the ones that might be a little iffy, my whippet and chi mix were always fine with any dogs they met.

What I have seen occasionally is things seem to go well for about a month but then there might be a conflict, this is more common though when youve introduced another adult or juvenile. dont see it so much with younger puppies but something you need to watch for just in case.

 

You may also see some conflict down the road when the new puppy becomes an adult.