[Dailydrool] introducing a new dog

[Marie Campbell]

Hi Barb,
    I am afraid that allot of people on this list are going through allot of stuff right now.  Allot of beloved dogs and humans have died in the last two months and I think many of us are being pulled down by the weight of our grief.  My Mom died on October 7th and I am having a tremendous amount of trouble getting back into the swing of things.  I went to church for the first time since Mom died this week and it almost broke my heart.  Everyone, including myself, was crying as Mom was so much a vocal and hilarious part of the flock.  Anyway, many people are commenting privately on the lack of responses.
    Anyway, I have had many dogs of all ages over the years that I have introduced to my pack.  I always place an enormous, wire crate in the my living room or kitchen were most of the gang  hangs out.  All my crates are 700's because until 6 years, I only had Newfs and Saints.  Place the new family member in the crate while the gang is outside and then let them in.  Let them sniff her through the crate while you watch them closely.  Make sure Sydney has peed and pooped first before placing her in the crate.  DO NOT put her lose in the backyard with the other dogs to introduce her.  This can be dangerous.  Your current dogs will view this as their territory and things can get rough.  Probably not with bassets but you never know.
    I let the gang safely sniff the new dog in the crate for quite a while.  I only let the new member out under strict supervision.  If I leave the room at all the new member goes in the crate.  After they have sniffed her for a while and if they don't seem aggressive towards her, you can let her out either in the house or in the yard with strict supervision--BE READY TO PICK HER UP ASAP!  If she jumps on an oldster or gets too familiar they many snap at her or bite her.
    Be prepared for her to be snapped at, growled at, and even pinned down--gently--by an elder so she knows her place.  If they are not actually hurting her always allow the oldsters to show her her place.  If they snap at her, pin her down, or growl at her and they are not hurting her--LET THEM!!!!  She has to know they are the boss or you will never know peace.  There is always a hierarchy with dogs and you will ruin her life and yours if you do not let them establish it ASAP!
    I don't foresee any major issues for you but I must tell you that my first two bassets blended in beautifully with my Newfs and Saint but my hunting, screamer Beau took 30 fun filled days.  He had been chained in a backyard for 4 years with no stimulation or affection and when I brought him home from animal control, he was overwhelmed with smells and dogs to annoy.  He just about crawled in their butts and looked out them!  Newfs are very laid back and tolerant but even they have their limits.  Muchacho, my big Landseer boy, was plotting Beau's death for at least 30 days until one day I let Beau out of his crate to go potty and suddenly Muchacho was in love.  They now play non stop! Beau and he wrestle in the living room and backyard tirelessly.  Muchacho even lets Beau crawl up his chest while he lays on his back and nibble his lips.  Go Figure! 
    But this did not happen over night.  For 30 fun filled days whenever Beau annoyed the masses too much, he had to have time out in the big 700 crate--full of comforters.  Some dogs take longer for the gang to incorporate.  Others fit in immediately.  Ironically, my two bossiest bassets, Fancy and Luke, fit in immediately and didn't require safety crating more then 3 days but still never, never leave a new dog unattended with the established pack.  You never know what can happen when you are out of them room.  Be safe.  Always err on the side of caution.  Better to clean up pee and poo in a crate then blood and stitches at a vet's office.  A sturdy puppy playpen or toddler play yard--cheaply available at Toys R Us--may also be a great way to go if you have to leave the puppy for more then a couple of hours.  Line the playpen with newspapers.  Remember puppies have little or no bowel or bladder control before 14 weeks of age and do not
become discouraged if house breaking takes longer then expected.  Expect to take your new charge out more then 20 times a day.
 
Good Luck and Enjoy,
Marie and the Basset Gang

Man Plans ~ God Laughs