Got a second puppy! How to introduce them? Should they share a crate?

Keeping the new puppy by itself in the crate and slowly increasing his access as he is more reliable in the house is a good transition for both the new pup and your older dog. It is best to not crate them together as the crate can be an area of contention and a fight may break out with one or both pets unable to escape. Slow introductions of short, monitored, play sessions followed by breaks with the new puppy in a playpen or gated off area is a good way to get the two used to each other. If one or both dogs gets too stressed, separating them in different rooms or crates for a period of time until they've calmed down is best.

Cute dogs! The best advice is to take it slow - allow them to first see each other through some kind of barrier but not necessarily be able to contact each other. A baby gate in a door is perfect. If there are any signs that Kyle is overwhelmed or the puppy is overwhelmed in the beginning they should be separate. It would be best to feed them in separate areas for awhile. This link has some other good tips: https://www.spcai.org/get-involved/learn/animal-advice/introducing-new-dog-your-household-pack/

Thank you for submitting your question regarding your dogs. I recommend introducing your dogs slowly and letting then to get to know each. It is best to do the initial introduction on neutral territory such as a park. This will help Luna to not feel defensive of your home. After this, you need to fully supervise all interactions in your house. I do not recommend keeping them in the same crate no matter how well they get along. If there was a fight, Luna could really hurt your smaller dog. I hope this information helps!

I would recommend getting the other dog crate trained so when you are not home your new dog can be crated. I would not start crating Joe because you adopted another dog. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Poor Merlin! It sounds like he gets very upset around other dogs, which can be a challenging problem to work on in some cases. You will need to take things very slowly when introducing him to the new puppy - this will be hard for both of them, so be patient and stay positive. For now, I would recommend keeping them separated unless you are actively working on training with them - this will help to prevent any setbacks that may occur if they get into a fight. I would try to do several short training sessions each day if you can, no more than 5-10 minutes each. You will need another person to help you, and both dogs should be on-leash. Start with them on opposite sides of the room, and give treats for calm behavior while they are in the same room together. Over the next few days, if things are going well, you can gradually start to allow them to be closer together, still giving treats for calm behavior - if either dog becomes upset and starts to bark or growl, just move them further apart again. It may take several days or even weeks before they can safely be loose together, depending on how severe Merlin's problem is. If you are not seeing any improvement within the first week of starting this plan, I would strongly recommend getting in touch with a good reward-based trainer who can work with you in person. You can search for a qualified trainer in your area here: www.ccpdt.org

Below is some information to help you with the introduction process. Congratulations on your new puppy. If you do notice Tyson behaving aggressively sweperate then immediately. The most effective long term plan will be to reward Tyson when he is "gentle" with the puppy. Have that word as your command goal. Bringing a new puppy or dog into the home can be a great way to help revitalize your older dog's routine. Many owners often find that a second dog can help reduce stress and anxiety, and provide a playmate for their current dog. When introducing your new dog, taking things slow and following the below steps will best ensure the two dogs get along from the start! Provide a Personal Space Before ever bringing home your new dog, be sure to set aside a personal space for both the new dog and your old. This can include spaces such as a crate your dogs feel comfortable in, separate food and water bowls, and enough bedding for the two to each have their own spot at any time. Making sure there are multiples of prized objects can help reduce some of the competition over them and prevent a fight. Start the Introduction Behind Closed Doors Your dogs may have already met at the shelter or breeder, however starting off with a barrier between the two will help them to get to know each other without a fight. If your dogs get along great off the bat you may be able to skip this step, however if your dogs are a little nervous, placing a door, screen or baby gate between the two can help. This will allow them to get used to the sight and smell of each other without being able to cause harm. Monitor Meetings After the two dogs are used to each other through a visible gate, an introduction can begin. It is good to place leashes on each dog and keep the leashes dragging in case of an argument or if one dog becomes agitated. If at any time a fight occurs or someone becomes nervous, a leash can easily be grabbed on each dog to separate them until a later time. If they get along well, continue the session and end on a positive note. If at any time either dog becomes upset or agitated, separate the two and try again later. Don't worry if they don't get along right away, sometimes it takes a bit of time! Supervision is Key Until you are positive your dogs will get along great, make sure they are supervised when together at all times. This may also include picking up any contested toys or bones as well as monitoring the use of food or water dishes. If you do have to leave your dogs alone, it is best to separate them in different rooms or crates until you are sure they will get along well while you are away. Give Everyone Some Love! Having two dogs is a great way for your previous dog to have a new companion and to prevent boredom and increase exercise. However, each dog should also have some personal time with you without your newer (or older) dog there. Set aside time for a short training session or just some petting and grooming while your other dog is occupied with a bone or toy. Making sure each of your dogs new and old get some love will help keep your bond strong!

Thank you for providing more information about Tinkerbell! Yes, it's fine to bring your boyfriend's puppy around her. I would introduce them slowly to each other, and don't hold the puppy in your arms when showing it to Tinkerbell. The puppy could feel restrained and vulnerable. The best way to introduce them is on a leashes so you can separate them if needed. I hope this helps :-)