integrating a new dog into house, advice needed

daingeanrob

Hey all, need a bit of advice as we recently had to re-home an otherwise homeless six month old yorkshire terrier puppy, the owner was elderly and not able to cope with a new puppy so was giving him up. we already have a four year old jack russell at home that is very placid and relaxed but the new puppy wants to play all the time which drives my partner mad during the day, i'm wondering has anyone been in this situation and have any advice on getting the two to relax more with each other (games or training that i could do) also they are very jealous of each other and as the new pup is quite nervous and not socialised at all i find it hard to scold him yet till he settles with us a bit

peasant

Two things:

on main house rules / training / etc ...start as you mean to continue. The more slack you give the dog now, the harder it will be later on to erradicate the unwanted behaviour that established itself. No special grace period just because he's new. Actually, the first few days in a new environement are the best for training as the dog is naturally keen to find its place and learn the rules as quickly as possible.

On managing two dogs ... set common rules and stick to them. Agree a set of rules between you and your wife that apply to both dogs. They both should be allowed the same freedoms and have the same restrictions. Also set a commonly agreed level for the disruption that the two are allowed to cause. Then both follow through with this.
Let the two dogs settle their own arguments ...but only up to the agreed level of disruption ...beyond that you call a stop to it. Regardless of who started it or who's fault it was.
The relationship betwen the two dogs will always fluctuate a bit and be subject to changes ...as long as they stay below the agreed ceiling of noise and hassle, just let them get on with it.

Things to definitly not allow: bullying, jealousy, fighting and guarding of resources.
One main point of disharmony is removed if you always feed them separately and give them treats seperatley ...i.e. at the same time, but physically separated ...so nobody feels short changed and nobody has reason to fight.

ghost_ie

Start training the new dog from day 1. The older dog wasn't allowed to get with with misbehavioiur and will feel aggreived if the newcomer can now do what he wants. Also it will come as a shock to the pup when he is eventually chastised for his behaviour. It will also be harder to train him when he has got away with even for a limited period.

There will be disputes between them from time to time. My three (a lab/collie cross now 10, a jack russell cross of 7 and another jack russell cross of 2) have been fortunate in that the eldest is, like your eldest, a very laid-back dog and looks after the others more than anything else. She welcomed the other two with open arms when each arrived. However, even the best natured dog has her limits and on occassion has had to let the others know they have displeased her - normally a snarl and a cuff round the ear.

I would agree with the previous poster that it is better to feed them in separate locations. However, if you feed them in the same room do keep an eye on them. My middle dog is a very slow eater and both the older and the younger used to finish their food together then make a concerted dash on Georgie's dish. I make a point now of sitting near Georgie at mealtimes and the other two won't interfere with her if I am there.

Hopefully your dogs will become as bonded (except for food) as mine are and you'll have lots of happy years with both of them

daingeanrob

thanks for the helpful replies lads, have had some succeses since feeding them seperate and treating both the same, still have problems walking both together and socialising new pup with other dogs, time and patience seem to be the answer. it is embaressing when the pup see's a dog when we're walking and smells/looks at it and then barks and i have to drag him away.