Introducing Dogs

The Lucky Dog Rescue Blog recently posted an excellent article about introducing two dogs. It was perfect timing. Yesterday Pickle and Pepper got to interact, without a fence between them, for the very first time.

Two things made this process go smoothly. First, because Pepper needed to get stronger before she could bump around with Pickle, the dogs spent a couple of weeks getting to know each other with through the fence. They did spend a lot of time nose to nose there and quickly learned to slip their paws under the gate so they could touch. They seemed to hit it off immediately, but I knew that it was one thing with Pepper being in her own area and would be something altogether different when Pepper came into Pickle's area.

Pickle is the best. He is also a little high strung and territorial. He loves all dogs, but prefers to hang with them on neutral grounds. Pickle even saved a dog's life a few months ago, but that's another story. I have had strays in and out of the house since Pickle, who also started out as a stray, moved in. I have never had a stray that was bigger than Pickle. Pepper easily has 15 - 20 pounds on him (hard to say exactly because she was emaciated and is now quickly adding weight). This was going to be an entirely new test for Pickle and I was a little nervous.

I was also nervous about the potential for a dog fight. Combined, they easily outweigh me and, even though I have never seen Pickle be aggressive (except for a humping issue that we are working on, which is more dominance than aggression), I have seen 2 dogs fight and know it can quickly escalate. This gets me to the second thing I did that I think was helpful.

I put Pickle in his harness and put his leash on. I knew Pickle would be the rowdy one and Pepper needed a away to take it at her own pace. Pickle and Pepper learned immediately that there were limits and Pepper took advantage instantly. After doing a mutual full body version of the fist bump, she ran out of his reach. Then back for more. Then away. Then she laid down and Pickle laid down and we just chilled. I was better than I hoped. I am extremely impressed by both dogs.
About 30 minutes of that and I felt like they were ready to come into the house. Pictures and the conclusion to follow.....