Introducing 2 dogs - need advice

[sjoh4]

Hi everyone, if you saw my 1st post about 2 dominate females, you'll understand this, my german shepard mix, spayed, between 1 1/2 and 2 years old cannot get along with my American Bull dog girl, 4 years old. I may have a home for the shepard if all goes well, with friends and close enough I could see Emma ( the Shepard) often. My friends have a male border collie, 4 years old, strong herding instints, like Emma has. They have a big back yard and the border collie is alone most of the time, this would be company for him. We want to introduce the two dogs. They have asked me to come by with Emma.
What should I do to make this an optimum situation for the dogs to get along?
Any advice will be appreciated, I am so glad I found this site, you have all been great and I am learning a lot just reading the different threads. Thanks so much!

 

[Lizmo]

First....DON'T GO BY TO THERE HOUSE WITH EMMA! Big No no there.

You don't want the BC meeting Emma on his space and trying to guard HIS territory.

Try to meet on neutral ground for both the dogs. Maybe a park, let them sniff, then just start to go for a walk with both dogs, then if all goes well, let them have some play time, see how that goes. Then do this AGAIN, let the dogs become used to each other and so they don't see each other as a threat when meeting on home ground.

 

[Mutt Luv]

Exactually Lizmo, that was JUST was I was going to say, lol

Good luck

 

[sjoh4]

Introducing 2 dogs

Thanks for your replies, I suggested this to my friend as a matter of face and they rejected this saying, this is the whole point, to see if they'll get along...
so now I'll have to convince them that it will be better to do this gradually, not just shove them together, yes???
Thanks again

 

[skyeboxer]

If you were in the market for a flatmate to share the rent, would you rather meet them on neutral territory or have them barge in with a suitcase, take over your favourite chair and command of the remote control, shed hair in your shower and fawn over your best friends? LOL

Not a serious comparison but sure the BC is going to need a bit of TLC during the transition and part of that is introducing him to Emma on neutal territory. See if they like each other away from home before plunging Emma into a situation where she is no better off than she is now.

 

[sjoh4]

You make a great point, I will take your advice, I love my little Emma and I want her to be loved and cared for in the best home I can find, so I will do whatever it takes to find her a good situation and that includes giving her the chance to suceed.
Walking, on leash together for a start, in neutral territory, say my friend's neighborhood? What if, because they are on- leash, one of them does not act friendly? I know the Border Collie and he is very smart and gentle with me, I have not seen him around other dogs however, just heard from owners that he tries to herd and is too intent and does not play well with most dogs because of that herding instinct.

 

[BlackPuppy]

As a substitute, have the dogs meet in the street where your friend lives. Just don't bring the dog onto your friend's property first.

 

[sjoh4]

Just wanted you all to know, I took your advice, we walked around my friend's neighborhood and over to a park where we allowed the two dogs, my Shepard and the Border Collie off leash for a few minutes and they were fine.
Then when we went back to my firends house, the two were playful and ran around their back yard for about 45 minutes, playing well. Emma did seem to be the dominant dog, but the BC allowed it. Then the BC was tired, Emma kept bugging him, but I decided that it was enough when the BC tried to hide in the bushes, I think he needed to rest, he's 4 to Emma's 1 1/2 +.
Anyway the introduction was a success and I thank you all for your advice. I don't think this is going to work into a home for Emma, she's too much for the BC, but at least she can have play dates (short ones).
Thanks again!