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Introducing an Adult Boxer to Possible New Dog - Help!

2K views 8 replies 6 participants last post by  Lindar51 
#1 ·
So today an opportunity to find my Jasper a new companion came up. A co-worker is looking for a new home for his 8 month old male chocolate Labrador. I was originally planning on looking for breeders or rescues with the hopes of getting another Boxer but this seems like it may be a better idea. Honestly I'm not in a good place to spend up to $1000 on a pup and I don't think I could get approved to adopt from a rescue since Jasper isn't quite considered "socialized." He only leaves my home to walk and go to the vet and he was only ever around my last dog who passed away from old age--and he knew her from when he was a puppy. Since her passing he has been quite depressed and it is clear he needs a companion.

What can I really expect when introducing Jasper to this new dog? They are both adults and male. Jasper is neutered but the other isn't yet. From what I've read Labradors are pretty laid back when it comes to other dogs but I get mixed tales from the Boxer side. What are some of your stories from similar situations? Any advice?
 
#2 ·
introduce outside or at a neutral place.
Make sure you give jasper some extra love and set bounderies
Also don't freak out if there is some growling or even hair standing up, the dogs have to set there own pecking order.
Good luck, I introduced Mason at 3 to Mackie who was 8weeks, love at first sight but we do have some puppy fights..
but my boys are social animals
 
#3 ·
I would introduce the dogs on neutral ground. Maybe you and someone else could take the two for a walk in your neighborhood, but not on your property. To start with, have the dogs on the outsides of each of you (on the left of one person and the right side of the other person) so they're not right next to each other while walking. Walk until they stop showing keen interest in each other. Don't allow sniffing at first; just keep walking until they both settle down. Don't allow sniffing head-to-head. If they start to do this, start walking again.

At home, I'd keep them separated by baby gates or in separate rooms until they get bored with each other. I foster, and I always do this when a new dog comes in. The dogs are not allowed direct contact until they appear not to care about each other. With my current foster, I didn't allow direct contact for nearly a week, and once they were allowed to interact, I supervised closely, just in case.

Make sure your boxer is given attention, fed, etc. FIRST (btw, feed them in separate rooms, especially at first, to avoid food aggression issues). Even though they're dogs, they do pay attention to this stuff! You don't want your boxer to feel like he's been down graded to second fiddle. My little dog, Maddie, who I've had the longest, still pitches a hissie fit if Jackson goes out the door to the back yard before her, the little stinker! She will nip at him and chase him around the yard, barking furiously at him (I think he secretly enjoys the game...such a boxer)! My new foster, a shih-tsu I rescued completely matted from an area animal control, didn't understand pack order, and she found out fast, that if she tried to go out the door first, she got stampeded. She now waits until last - smart little girl!
 
#4 ·
Yes ..what the above posters are saying. have the dogs meet on property other than their own, and do the parallel walk before bring the new dog home. Keeping them separate in the beginning is good too. Hopefully the lab is crate trained and he can stay in the crate while you learn his habits, he may still be in the chewing stage so this is good to do. Whenever I have a new dog in the house the new dog is separated by a gate and or crate. The resident dog can then look at them sniff at the cage, sniff in the cage when the newest member has gone outdoors. Honestly it sometimes takes a month or more for them not to care about one another but eventually they , at least in my cases have gotten along. I think a lab is a nice fit. I hope it works out for you.
 
#5 ·
Also, an 8 month lab still has a lot of puppy left, so if he gets rambunctious and Jasper snaps/growls, etc., do NOT correct Jasper. The pup will learn quicker what is and is not acceptable by Jasper's corrections. It can be a little bit nerve wracking at first, but just try to stay calm and only intervene if it starts to escalate. Eventually, they'll work it out. Good luck!
 
#6 ·
How the tables have turned! Lol I remember when Jasper was the rambunctious puppy and Casey was the older one who had to deal with his energy.

Thanks, guys. The other owner has agreed to have them meet off-properties first. We'll do this sometime next week so wish us luck! I feel confident that this will work out. The Lab has already been raised with other dogs and the few times Jasper has been around unfamiliar dogs he never seemed aggressive.
 
#7 ·
Thanks for the help guys. I got the new dog on Monday and they get along great! Jasper did act a little growly at first but so far that has been the worst of it. They took to each other so quickly. Last night I saw them playing 'keep away' with a rawhide bone and I almost teared up. This is so good for Jasper, his mood has perked up so much.

I'm still not sure what I'm going to name the new one yet.
 
#8 ·
That was the turning point for kee kee and Amor when I first moved to my parents. Kee kee was the resident dog and didn't want amor near her mom. After about a week, Amor was playing with me with a toy, I gave kee kee the othrr end of the long toy and that was it, they played together for a bit with me there and now they are best buddies.
 
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