Our Pack......

"A house is not a home until it has a dog." Gerald Durrell

This is our current pack.......Fudge, Boomer and Ginger (the cat).  They have no idea what's in store for them! But they are all extremely well balanced, well adjusted, and well socialized, dogs (and cat), that they will be fine!
They took a trip to the vet yesterday. To get updated on their boosters and had a pre-cautionary deworming. All to keep the pup as healthy as possible! They were very good sports about it!

Apparently there is a fine art to introducing your new puppy to your current pack of dogs (or pets). In many books I've read they say to have the VERY first introduction be on neutral ground. Meaning at a park or parking lot, or a neighbors front yard, with the dogs on leashes of course! They even suggest taking a short walk around the neighborhood together.This allows for the older dogs not to feel threatened of protective of what's 'theirs', and it allows the new pup just a very friendly first 'Hello'! Some books just say to take your new pup straight to your backyard first, without the older dogs present, to introduce the pup to their 'elimination spot'. When your pup goes, praise him happily and give him a few treats. Then allow him to sniff, and explore his new playarea for about 10 minutes. Then it is suggested that you may bring the pup inside for slow & gentle introduction to the other dogs...while holding your pup....and letting them sniff out the newcomer. As long as everything is going well at this point.....you should then feed the dogs, and allow them to eat together at the same time, but separated, perhaps by a puppy-play yard or gate....so that all dogs associate this new event with a positive experience. Then let them back outside for some supervised playtime, allowing the older dogs to "potty train" the pup.....through modeling for them. Pups learn a lot from watching and observing their elders! When everything is going well.....it's time for lots of praise, treats, toy play, and then inside for a good long nap.....with puppy in the separated play yard and older dogs back to their normal routine. Before you know it they will be best friends...and it will seem like the pup has been their brother forever.

Well.....here's to crossing our fingers & toes.......!