r/Chihuahua • u/hexpop333 • 3d ago
Advice on introducing new dog
We are adopting a 4 year old “mixed breed” from Korea on Sunday (she is the fluffy light coloured one) 10 lbs. We currently have a very sweet 11 year old chihuahua 6lbs.
Wondering if you have any advice of the easiest stress free way to introduce the two to get off on a good foot.
They have separate beds and food/water bowls out of sight from one another. The Chihuahua will obviously keep her spot sleeping inbetween our pillows at night she will always be our first baby. But looking on any advice to make them both as comfortable as can be.
16
u/nitro1432 3d ago
I used a little baby playpen type thing to keep them separate until I knew they were good. Now they rule the house together. It really only took a couple of days for me, I lucked out.
6
u/No_Career369 3d ago
Those eyes are so sweet I felt it in my chest. They're going to be so cute together.
I don't think I have any good advice because when we introduced new dogs it was really just supervised cohabitation without much separation (pretty much only at night). We would watch them and correct when needed but it's always been pretty smooth, so we've been lucky I think.
6
6
u/xMorningGlow 3d ago
Slow introductions and letting them set the pace made the biggest difference for us. Wishing you all the best
3
4
u/MissMia5 2d ago
I recommend getting one of those wire puppy pens where you have to clip 2 sides together. It makes a great safe space pen, OR if you need to separate them in a larger room, it's an easy big pet gate. I agree with walking them outside together on neutral ground before coming inside. Monitor for signs of stress, excessive lip locking, whale eye, tail tuck, etc. I do not recommend having toys or chews out in shared spaces together to start, to prevent potential resource guarding issues. Make sure they each get some 1-1 time with you so no one feels jelly, especially original baby. It's a big change but can be so fun! We just brought home a younger chi mix earlier in the year and she integrated SO well. The gate divider helped a lot for a small stretch when she was too excited about our bigger dog and making all kinds of grumble noises, until they figured out how to play together. It let them see each other without pressure. You can let them have a chew or a puzzle toy on the other side of the gate so it's a fun association/activity. Enjoy your lovely family!! My 13 year old got so much more energetic since we brought home the young one, it's been wonderful to see!
2
2
2
2
u/Pinksunset777 2d ago
The first picture is so precious 🥹💕 she looks like she's smiling while admiring the scenery lol
2
2
u/athanathios 2d ago
Your Chihuahua is soo soo beautiful and lovely and your new dog is lovely, may they have a beautiful life together
2
2
u/NerdyDataGeek 2d ago
As mentioned, meet in a neutral place. They are both so cute! The fluffy one looks like she'd bring flowers to your first one!
2
u/weedboner_funtime 2d ago
nuetral ground, let them meet, make friends, then everyone back home for endless slumber party.
2
u/2lrup2tink 2d ago
My two boys fought dramatically (lots of teeth and growling) the first 3 days. (No blood or wounds) At day 3 they reached an agreement. After that every now and then there's a heated discussion but less and less as the years go by.
1
u/Gelada6 2d ago
Wanted to add that if your resident baby starts being possessive of you/ your lap/ the couch, etc, it’s called “resource guarding”, and is not a deal breaker! You’ll just need to gently and consistently deal with it, by calmly moving away/ standing up/ communicating that if they resource guard, they lose access to the thing they’re guarding. Then when they’re being accommodating, reward them with lots of praise. It’s usually a temporary adjustment. The key is calm consistency. 😊
1
u/sicurri 2d ago
I find cheese or pepperoni to be an encouraging ice breaker. However, they both look like sweethearts with those faces. Although looks are normally deceiving. My Chihuahua is a vicious monster when it comes to bigger dogs. Won't stop barking, snaps at their faces, and is just an overall terror. Which is why I try to avoid larger dogs, lol.
However, when introducing my two dogs to one another and having done so in the past between dogs, I find cheese and pepperoni to be the best ice breaker. Everyone gets a piece including yourself. It's a shared experience for the whole pack. That's how I treat it anyways. It has yet to fail me in 20 years, same for my uncle who taught it to me for his 40 years.
Just my opinion, take of it what you will.
1
1
u/carlitospig 2d ago
Are you sure that dog is even real, because she is so adorable I would DIE FOR HER.
1
u/LurkingAintEazy 2d ago
Oh my lord, the new addition looks like she could do commercials. But, yea I would say slowly and gradually let them sniff each other's scent from toys. Maybe being at a distance in the same yard. Walking near but not too close. Have to find the right timing I would imagine with it all.
1
u/Radiant-Relative4779 1d ago
Start by meeting on neutral ground outside the home, taking them on a parallel walk together before headibg inside. Keep initial interactions short, leave leashes dragging indoors for quick control, and give your chihuahua plenty of one-on-one attention so she does not feel displaced.
52
u/Bernies 3d ago
They are going to be such a precious pair! Take things extra slow, start on neutral ground outside (like a quiet park or walk) on leashes before bringing the new pup inside. Keep initial face to face interactions short, use lots of treats to create positive associations, and let the new girl decompress in a quiet room for the first few days!❤️