How to introduce a new dog to my senior dog who's always been alone?

Always introduce dogs in neutral territory. So, not on the property at all. Somewhere like a local park so they can meet each other without anyone being territorial. Do this a few times before moving in. Keep both dogs on leashes so you have control over them if things go awry. If the dogs are not spayed/neutered that should be done because raging hormones often causes fights especially when females are in heat. I would also suggest start using Adaptil diffusers (calming dog pheromones) in the house starting a couple days prior to moving and refill them every 30 days for the first couple months. I would also get Adaptil collars for both dogs to wear starting a few days prior to the first meeting. These particular calming chews (Solliquin) also help quite a bit. https://worldtails.securevetsource.com/site/view/198944_HomeDelivery.pml?s=adaptil&hierarchy=&sort=score%20desc https://worldtails.securevetsource.com/itemView/view/198944_HomeDelivery.pml?productId=117298

What cuties!!! I would honestly be less worried about bringing a friendly adult dog into your house than a puppy because puppies can be overwhelming to adult dogs who are not used to them. They are hyper and jump and bite/chew on adult dogs and some dogs do not respond favorably to this (others are find and will give the puppy warnings or love playing with them). A great option in these cases is asking if you can do a trial run/foster for the new dog to see if they get along with your dog. This gives you a little time to make a decision. If your dog has been around other dogs without issue and this dog gets along with other dogs, then it is definitely worth a try! Make sure your current dog has the ability to get away from this dog if it is annoying/pestering her, do not leave them alone together initially, and feed them in separate areas so there is no fear of competition for food. Give your dog lots of praise and treats when she meets the new dog. Sometimes meeting on a neuteral ground can be helpful if your dog is defensive of your home. I would also consider getting an Adaptil collar or diffuser which can help both dogs with any anxiety https://www.adaptil.com/us/Products/ADAPTIL-Calm-On-the-go-Collar

It should be fine to get another dog! Some dogs do tend to like having the companionship, but it can be a transition for the existing dog. Given that Maria is blind, I would slowly introduce a new dog to her. I will put a link below on how to introduce them to each other. I hope this helps! https://bestfriends.org/resources/blind-dog-and-cat-faqs

This can be a difficult question to answer because it will vary from dog to dog. The dog's personality will determine whether or not they adjust well to a new housemate. It does not necessarily matter whether the dog is older or younger. Some things you can do in the home when introducing new dogs are keeping the interactions very limited and making sure the dogs are under supervision the whole time they are getting to know each other. Also avoid feeding the dogs or giving them treats while they are together as this can sometimes cause aggressive behavior. Just be patient and work with the dogs individually and together and they should be able to get along fine. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This really depends on the dog that you bring home and Wordsworth's reaction to the situation. I do think that you can bring along another dog. However, I think it is key to make sure that they are a good match before adopting. For example, try to avoid getting a puppy or a high energy type dog if Wordsworth is not an energetic dog and viceversa. For that reason, I recommend that you foster first before adopting and that way you can get a sense of how they are going to get along. Good luck and have a great day!

Hi, you have quite a collection of animals! I would not advise a puppy because your animals are older and a puppy can be too much stress for them. A puppy can seem to tolerate older animals then reach sexual maturity and challenge the older animals of the house. I suggest going to your local shelter and bringing your dogs to meet some possible candidates. i suggest any age over 2-3 and spayed or neutered already. Try some visits and see how the new dog will react to the animals you have. Also have the shelter to a cat test to make sure the new dog won't chase them. There are plenty of adult dogs who need homes with excellent temperaments. Good luck, i hope this helps!.

Hi there, it sounds like Sarah is a sensitive type, and (I know its not what you want to hear) but bringing a new pet into her home will probably upset her more. Its unlikely that a rambunctious dog will leave her alone, as she may feel threatened and start showing other signs of anxiety such as soiling in abnormal places, overgrooming, or even she may get stress cystitis. If you have a large home and can guarantee that Sarah will have a safe quiet and protected area of the home, then you might consider adding a family member.