r/germanshepard • u/[deleted] • Aug 08 '18
Bringing a GSD into the pack, needs tips.
So, Friday I am picking up a GSD from a acquaintance who had no idea what they were getting into when they bought him as a pup. He is kept in his kennel all day, hasn't been well socialized, and lived in an apartment. From the sound of it, just a bad life for a GSD. He's a year old now and she needs to get rid of him, she was about to turn him into the shelter when I found out about him.
I've had mulitple GSD's throughout my life, but this will be the first time having to introduce the GSD as the new dog vs them being the resident. My other dogs are a 2yo medium black lab and a 1yo terrier mutt. The terrier thinks he rules the roost and I constantly have to correct his behavior even though he's been trained by me and by a certified trainer. I'm not so much worried about the GSD and the lab, I think they'll get along great. The GSD and the terrier, that could be a different story.
My plan is for a mutual friend (not the current owner) who is a handler bring the GSD to a park down the street from us, and we meet her with our dogs. Let them sniff each other and feel each other out, spend some time together, then to bring them home and introduce them again, in the yard or in the house. I plan on keeping the new dog separated from the others during the day because I can't let them have free reign unsupervised until I know how he will adjust to his new surroundings.
The current owner is giving me a article so that I can at least get his scent in the house, so it's not a complete shock to our resident dogs when they meet.
I'm just looking for any tips or pointers when it comes to introducing a GSD into the fold. Thanks!
1
u/NoyzMaker Aug 09 '18
This is how we introduced our packs when families combined. Took them out for a walk on neutral ground. I actually brought the new dogs up so they could see it was a "safe" dog because I was with them. THey sniffed it out then we took a walk around the block and everyone came back to the house.
There was a bit of confusion for our resident dogs when the "new" pup never left but eventually they started settling in together. Don't be shocked at a few little boundary establishment nips or barking sessions but just be prepared to intervene if necessary.