Getting new dog!

[NanaMG]

We own a beautiful red dobie who is 10 months old. We have been looking for a dog to train as a service dog for my 12-year-old handicapped grandson and we finally found one. She is a 2-year-old goldendoodle. Now the issue is introducing her to Rowdy. Even at 10 months he is a very dominant male. According to Mimi's current owner she is very sweet and not an aggressive bone in her body. I want to make sure their introduction goes well because I don't want her freaked out and possibly causing a problem in her service-dog training. Any suggestions on how to introduce them?

[RKCM]

There are many trainers on the forum that may have other ideas but when we introduce a new dog, we do it on lead and proceed slowly. Remember they can read you well so remain calm and show them both that it is ok. We do this several times before we allow the dogs together. The male dogs that we have owned were never aggressive to females but having them on lead will give you control if things don't go well. Hard to know your dog and just how dominant or aggressive he is?? Most puppies are more playful and if he isn't you should really consider an obedience class and now! Obedience classes will assist in socializing your 10 month old puppy and give him an opportunity to interact positively with other dogs. I would strongly encourage a class! He is still a puppy and behavior is in part determined by not only genetics, but his socialization which is training and his experiences.

We even have a puppy kindergarden class for young puppies in our area. I've enjoying working with owners in that class and seeing improvements. Socialization through the critical periods is beneficial.

Hope all goes well. Keep us posted and proceed safely and slowly.

[NanaMG]

Rowdy has been through an 8-week obedience class and also spent a month with a trainer. We are picking him up on Friday and the trainer is going to work with my daughter and I on what he has learned and how to continue what she has started He did a lot of dog interaction at her home. He will also begin a more advanced 8-week obedience class in about two weeks. We have had to stay on top of his obedience training because he is such a high energy dog and we definitely don't want him to end up being aggressive. With his size, he could really be dangerous. So far he has maintained a really good, but hyperactive, attitude.

Thanks for the ideas!

[RKCM]

You are welcome, NANA. Enjoy the hub and keep us posted.

[Big Dogs]

Introductions should be done on lead on neutral turf where both dogs are on new territory if the service dog you have chosen is the right temperament and since she is female you should be ok. How is Rowdy with other dogs now? and how much interaction has he had with other dogs? Before the meeting you should exercise using his obedience commands and then make the meeting. This puts him into the mind set to listen and when you work him in obedience not only is he working physically he is working mentally which is equally as important. Your off to a great start with Rowdy and stay on top of his routine he will come around he is still very much a puppy but know is the time to work with him the only thing I would say is do not confuse energy with aggression they are to different things. I was wondering did someone help you pick him out and does he have more energy than you would like? I really can't stress enough that you are doing all the right things with him and if you are feeling uneasy about him meeting the other dog try and go into it with a positive out look he will pick up on that, if you can't you may want to ask the trainer to be there for the interduction!

[von Cosack Dobermann]

Yep what BD said!!! Von