Introducing a new hound - Any Tips?

[Glenn]

Hi,

I already have two older (10) hounds at home (Pebbles and Egor) and we are expecting a new addition this weekend or next.

Polly will be coming to us straight from her racing kennel and she is only 3 and a half.

Does anyone have any tips on introducing the 3 of them. I guess somewhere neutral for the first meet but what about when we get back home.

Has anyone else done this before?

Any help would be great!

Thanks

[andywillow]

We have fostered for Gap for many years and when I fetch a new dog home, if at all possible they all go for a walk together, but our dogs are so used to sighthounds coming and going they are really good at saying hello in the garden then going back to bed! If in any doubt always have them muzzled when introducing them.
As your newbie is so much younger, the older ones might not tolerate her if she is a bit exciteable . Have you got a crate for the newbie? Just something to consider if she is more lively, it really depends on the dogs. We've had younger dogs who have been so laid back and others who are not!

[redpoppy]

Oooh how exciting a new pupster...pictures please when she finally comes home x

[Ted]

I took my at that time three Hounds Merlin (8), Menta (7) and Mickey (5) to meet Kelly (5) who was coming via Greyhound Rescue Wales direct from her racing kennels in Kent. It went well and Kelly came to live with us at the end of March 2012. Kelly latched onto Mickey, but Merlin thought the two 5 year olds as naughty teenagers, Menta was not bothered.

I found Kelly acted more like a puppy and still does, she had been living since birth at the racing kennels in Kent with her Dad, Mum and 4 siblings and could not understand why she was no longer with them and her racing owner/trainer. Kelly also use to scream if you touched her ears. I took her for training at A1K9 where I had taken my other Hounds especially the Greyhounds so that they came to know about other dogs of allsorts and sizes. However Kelly still acted too young and preferred humans to playing with other dogs. Since then Kelly enjoys her ears being stroked and loves dogs of allsorts and sizes along with Humans.

Also of late I have found that Kelly can be trusted off the lead at the park we walk in along with Merlin. I have to keep Menta (now Blind and Diabetic) and Mickey (nil recall) on the lead although when I sit down on one of the benches I let Menta off the lead and usually she just sits down along me.

[gvgeam]

Congratulations on your new addition!

Although I've not had an ex racer here, when I bring a foster home, I take both dogs for a walk first before then going into the house and opening the back door so they can go in the garden off the lead. It's then a case of ignore, ignore, ignore as the newbie is going to feel overwhelmed (mostly by Maple wanting to play!) and needs to find their feet. Polly, coming from racing kennels, will have no experience of the rest of the world so everything will be new. You know your existing dogs well and how they respond to other dogs. I would muzzle Polly; she'll be used to it anyway, and take it slowly. Don't push her into anything initially and keep calm. You might find she is very quiet at first and then her personality will show as she begins to feel more comfortable.

Hope it all goes well.

[Nettie]

My tip would be to read this thread that Lisa wrote years ago which is in pinned at the top of this section, follow that and you won't go far wrong. greyhoundgap.proboards.com/thread/29756/new-hound-home

[Glenn]

Hi everyone.

Thanks for your replys. It's only been 24 hours but so good. Had no problems with the older two. We are just setting up a video baby monitor to keep and eye on them while we leave them alone for a while.